It's been quite the ride for the Los Angeles Rams as they've switched addresses and states quite a number of times in their eight-decade history in the NFL. From Cleveland to Los Angles to St. Louis and now back to LA, the Rams have literally been all over the place to try and etch their name in the record books as one of the best teams in the league. Though they've been quite successful in winning a ton of conference titles as well as a few division crowns, chances to bring home the Vince Lombardi trophy have been few and far between.
With that said, the franchise have tried to make the necessary moves to build a competitive squad year in and year out which has given them a few glory years. Let's take a look at the best trades in Rams history so far.
5. Carroll Rosenbloom (1972)
In an unprecedented move, owner Robert Irsay, who just purchased the Rams franchise for $19 million, traded the entire franchise to Baltimore Colts owner Carroll Rosenbloom. It was one of the strangest moves that had everyone from both organizations staying put except for the actual owners. All the players and coaches for the Rams (as well as the Colts) stayed with their respective teams as the two executives ironed out the unique deal. It was a rather smart move from Rosenbloom to swap offices with Irsay and avoid paying $4.4 million in capital gains taxes.
The ownership change was nothing but beneficial for the Rams as they continued to be a perennial powerhouse in the NFC West, winning seven straight division championships from 1973-1979. Rosenbloom passed away in 1979 and his widow Georgia Frontiere would take over the reigns for the next couple of decades.
4. Ollie Matson (1959)
Hall of Fame running back Ollie Mattson was part of one of the biggest trades in league history as he was acquired by the Rams prior to the 1960 NFL Season. Matson was a Pro-Bowler in all of his six years for the Chicago Cardinals and the Rams knew they had to offer a ton of pieces just to snag the Texas-native. The Rams front office decided to offer a whopping total of nine players (including two draft picks) for the six-time Pro Bowler in one of the more memorable blockbuster trades in the history of the NFL.
Unfortunately, Matson's career with the Rams never really flourished as he played just four seasons in Los Angeles. He totaled 814 receiving yards and just 65 receptions for the franchise. Still, props for the Rams front office for pulling off such a remarkable deal.
3. Jalen Ramsey (2019)
In the middle of the 2019 NFL season, the Rams decided to go all-in on boosting their defensive line-up by acquiring up and coming cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey had quite a blistering start in his career in the league as a top-5 pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016. The former Florida State Seminole quickly became one of the best cornerbacks in the league as he was selected to the Pro Bowl as well as the First-Team All-Pro in just his second year. Ramsey though ran into some controversy with his former team which ultimately made him available in 2019. The Rams were more than happy to swoop in to trade the cornerback in exchange for three future picks.
Ramsey has been huge thus far in his short stint with the Rams as one of the key members of the Los Angeles defensive unit. The Rams have recently decided to bet on their young star as they inked him to a historic 5-year $105 million extension prior to the 2020 NFL season making him the highest paid defensive back in NFL history.
2. Jared Goff (2016)
A draft-day trade in 2016 makes the cut as one of the best trades the Rams have ever made. That time, the franchise was desperately in need of a playmaker and given that a young QB prospect named Jared Goff was up for grabs in the upcoming NFL rookie draft, the Rams knew that they had t0 make their move.
Los Angeles basically threw everything but the kitchen sink to be in the position to acquire Goff. They traded a total of six picks to the Tennessee Titans, including two first-round picks, two second-round picks as well as two-third rounders. In return, the Rams got what they wanted and picked up Goff as their first overall pick.
It was a rough start for Goff as the main signal-caller for the Rams but the California-native eventually found his groove as has shown thus far that he's proving to be the franchise's leader for years to come. Goff was a pivotal member of the 2018 squad that went all the way to the Super Bowl only to lose to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
1. Marshall Faulk (1998)
In a deal that shaped the course of history for the franchise, the Rams sent future picks to the Indianapolis Colts to acquire star running back Marshall Faulk prior to the 1999 NFL season. Faulk was reportedly unhappy with his contract and the Colts were suddenly willing to part with their two-time Pro Bowler. Little would they know that running back had his best years ahead of him as he would shine as the Rams' new star.
Faulk would join QB Kurt Warner and receivers Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce to form ‘The Greatest Show on Turf” and would turn out to be one of the more decorated players for the Rams organization. Faulk, along with his team, would end up winning the Rams' only Super Bowl trophy in 1999 over the Tennessee Titans. He led the league with 2,429 yards from scrummage that year and would go on to snag a shiny MVP trophy in 2000. The Hall of Famer would end up playing seven seasons with the franchise with the Rams electing to retire his #28 in 2007, two years after Faulk announced his retirement.
Follow Us
Subscribe