​It’s easy to see what adding a player of Myles Garrett’s caliber could do for the Los Angeles Rams’ defense. Garrett is a generational force who just wrapped a historic season—his seventh Pro Bowl selection, his second NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, and a career total of 125.5 sacks. On the surface, Garrett’s impact seems clear: on-field dominance that translates into more pressure, more disruptive plays, and a quicker turn from defense to game-changing moments. Yet, former Rams offensive tackle and franchise icon Andrew Whitworth believes the real value of the Garrett trade may lie beyond sacks and highlight-reel moments. The deeper benefit could come from the Monday-through-Saturday culture he helps cultivate within the building.
Whitworth emphasized that the true advantage isn’t solely Garrett’s play arriving on Sundays, but the way he carries himself every day. He pointed out that there will be many young Rams who can observe and imitate the consistency with which Garrett pursues his craft. “There’s going to be a lot of young guys that can follow him and look at really the kind of day-by-day consistency he goes by chasing his craft to be excellent at it,” Whitworth noted. That kind of professional example, he added, can be infectious. When players see a teammate approach preparation, practice, and recovery with relentless focus, it can spark a collective drive. Even if some athletes don’t possess Garrett’s talent, they will start to mirror his work habits, which can elevate the entire locker room. In Whitworth’s view, Garrett’s influence could be profound and far-reaching, potentially reshaping how the Rams operate behind the scenes and on game day.
That professional blueprint is precisely what a young Rams front seven needs. The franchise entered a post-Aaron Donald era after the 2023 season with a notably green defensive corps. Heading into the 2026 season, only two of the Rams’ primary front-seven players were over 30, and most projected starters had three years or fewer of NFL experience before Garrett joined the team. The influx of youth makes the organization’ s developmental environment all the more critical, and Garrett’s presence could accelerate maturation by example. He provides a standard of longevity and elite preparation that a relatively inexperienced group can study and emulate. Watching a two-time Defensive Player of the Year review film, manage his body, and approach drills with precision gives a practical, real-world education that money can’t buy.
The headlines will likely fixate on Garrett’s ability to take down quarterbacks and bend games in the Rams’ favor. Yet his lasting imprint may be the cultural and professional norm he helps establish in Los Angeles. For younger players such as Kobie Turner, Byron Young, Josaiah Stewart, and Braden Fiske, Garrett could become a living blueprint for consistency, preparation, and self-discipline. In a league that rewards both talent and routine, the impact of a veteran who models the exact standards expected at the highest level can be the difference between a good defense and a great one.
In this light, Garrett’s arrival is less about immediate stat lines and more about shaping the Rams’ internal culture. The defense that follows him to practice and to film sessions could benefit from an increased level of accountability, a more rigorous approach to daily routines, and a shared commitment to continuous improvement. If Whitworth’s assessment proves accurate, the Rams won’t only be adding a star pass rusher; they’ll be inviting a standard-bearer whose influence extends beyond the box score, setting a template for how the next generation of Rams defenders trains, prepares, and performs for years to come. This is the under-the-surface benefit that could define Garrett’s legacy in Los Angeles and help propel the team’s defense into a new era of consistency and competitiveness.