The Impact of the Myles Garrett Trade on NFL Futures 2026

The rich got richer when the Los Angeles Rams acquired two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns on June 1. Garrett is a record-settting pass rusher who will make an already outstanding Rams defense that much better. 

The trade, definitely the biggest of this NFL offseason, has major implications for a variety of NFL betting markets. The Rams were a top-10 scoring defense (20.4 ppg) a year ago. Heading into 2026, LA has added not only Garrett, but also elite CB Trent McDuffie, formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Super Bowl Odds Impact

Long before the Garrett trade was even a thing, most sportsbooks identified the Rams as the NFL team to beat heading into the 2026 season. Seattle will return the bulk of their roster that led them to a Super Bowl LX title but, according to most sportsbooks, the Seahawks are not the early favorite to repeat.

The Super Bowl betting favorite prior to the NFL draft and, of course, prior to the Garrett trade, was the Rams. Most sportsbooks had the Rams listed somewhere in the neighborhood of +800 to win Super Bowl LXI. The Seahawks, Bills, and Ravens were all next on the board around +1000 odds. 

After the Garrett trade was announced on June 1, the betting markets responded almost immediately. The Rams dropped to +550 at several sportsbooks and remain a +600 favorite at BetUS.com. The Seahawks, Ravens, and Bills all remain next on the board at +1000.

Odds to Win NFC West

The Seahawks and Rams should provide fans with two of the best games on the regular season schedule this year. Remember, both teams play in the NFC West and will play each other twice this coming season. 

The two games last season were outstanding. The home team won each game. LA won 21-19 at SoFI Stadium. The Seahawks won 38-37 in overtime on Thursday Night Football at home at Lumen Field. 

With the news of the Garrett trade, the Rams moved from +144 favorites to win the NFC West to +110. Since, the Rams are now listed at +100 to win the division. The Seahawks are given +205 odds to win the NFC West.

NFC Championship Odds

Prior to the blockbuster trade that sent Garrett, who set a new NFL record with 23 sacks last season, to the Rams, Los Angeles was listed at +300 to win the NFC championship. Post-trade, that number is now +300.

Not surprisingly, the Seahawks are No. 2 on the board to win the conference title given odds of +550. There are four other teams – Eagles, 49ers, Packers, and Lions – given odds of less than +1000. All four teams check in at +900.

It’s also worth noting that the Rams season wins total also saw some movement with the announcement of the trade. LA’s wins total was set at 11.5 prior to the trade and the number has held steady. There was a price move though from -120 to go Under 11.5 wins to the Rams to Over 11.5 wins at -140.

Los Angeles will play the NFL’s fourth-toughest schedule in 2026. Over the past two seasons, the Rams 2026 opponents have averaged a +3.4 percent Offensive DVOA rating. The Rams schedule projects as the hardest for any defense in the 2026 season. One of the reasons why is that the Rams will play the NFC East, the AFC West, and Tampa Bay, Green Bay, and Buffalo.

Garrett’s Impact in LA

All the movement in these NFL futures markets is understandable because Garrett is a unique talent. He is an elite pass-rusher that can change a game. As mentioned, the 6-foot-4, 275-pound Garrett established a new NFL record with 23 sacks during the 2025 season. 

Garrett currently holds the NFL record for sacks per game (0.95) for players with a minimum of 50 games played. He has been selected as a first team All-Pro five times in his career. Garrett, now 30, is coming off his best NFL season in which he set career bests in sacks, tackles (60), solo tackles (43), and QB Hits (39).

The Rams were already one of the best in the NFC and NFL. They have the reigning NFL MVP in QB Matthew Stafford. Puka Nacua is one of the best young receivers in the game and the defense was a top-10 unit in several categories. The Rams finished with the second-best regular season record in the NFL last year at 12-5.

Also See: Myles Garrett Odds to Win Defensive Player of the Year