Les Snead gave Rams a leg up in Myles Garrett talks no other team could claim

The Los Angeles Rams have evolved into an NFL player's dream destination. One perhaps surprising factor in making so many big moves actually happen is general manager Les Snead's reputation among his contemporaries for conducting business above board.

The blockbuster trade that brought Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett to LA was not a spur-of-the-moment transaction. In a recent interview with analyst Peter Schrager, Browns GM Andrew Berry confirmed that it was Snead's persistence and outstanding reputation that helped talks gain traction.

Los Angeles may have been the only true landing spot for Garrett. While the Browns listened to other offers, only LA packaged a young star with draft picks that will allow Cleveland to restock its roster. Meanwhile, the Rams landed an elite veteran who is ready to compete for a championship.

Only Les Snead could have pulled off Rams' offseason

The fact that Snead orchestrated two blockbusters in one offseason is nothing short of miraculous. Coming off a season as the top-scoring NFL offense, the Rams' front office worked hard to upgrade a defense that faded away as last season wore on.

Hopefully two All-Pro additions - plus, don't forget, free agent Jaylen Watson - will get the job done.

On the one hand, Snead is a riverboat gambler. Few GMs would consider trading a former Defensive Rookie of the Year like Jared Verse, with multiple years of team control remaining, as a matter of principle. Snead stands alone in his class. His bold negotiations are something Rams fans have come to expect each offseason, along with all 31 other general managers in the league.

At the same time, though, making moves happen requires a component of trust. Unlike the public disaster that was the Ravens' nullified Maxx Crosby trade, Snead landed Garrett without a hitch. No backsies. No disingenuous maneuvers. The Rams' good-faith negotiations paid off. Garrett's first impression in Los Angeles has been everything one could hope it would be.

Angelenos are over the moon for good reason. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year joins a group newly constructed for postseason success. He's simply here to vault his new unit over the top.

After all, it's going to be difficult for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold to mount a comeback, much less overcome a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter, with Garrett chasing him all over the football field.

Even against a backdrop of cutthroat competition, the NFL is a fraternity of sorts. It's a big deal when any executive compliments the reputation of another. It's the stuff that puts the Rams at the top of the call list when other teams are willing to move a player, and an advantage that keeps them perennially competitive.

As always, thanks for reading.

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