Rams defensive line reshuffle follows Garrett’s number acquisition
Myles Garrett confirms transaction with teammate, prompting head coach Sean McVay to clarify the nature of the deal during introductory press conference.
New Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett has secured the right to wear jersey number 95, acquiring the designation from teammate Poona Ford following his trade from the Cleveland Browns. The transaction was confirmed during Garrett’s introductory press conference, where head coach Sean McVay pressed for details regarding the exchange after Garrett initially described the arrangement as merely a conversation.
When McVay asked if the deal involved just a couple of dollars, Garrett clarified that the cost was "more than a couple," though he did not disclose a specific monetary figure. Garrett noted that Ford was open to the arrangement, allowing the defensive end to retain the number he wore during his tenure with the Browns.
Garrett stated he intended to contact Ford immediately after the trade was finalised, citing his awareness that such number trades had occurred previously within the league. "I understood there had been some number trades before me," Garrett said, adding that he was glad to be sticking with No. 95.
The acquisition of the number triggered a domino effect among the Rams' defensive line. With Ford moving to No. 97, Bill Norton shifted from No. 97 to No. 93, and Payton Zdroik moved from No. 93 to No. 62. The chain of changes ensures that the roster maintains unique number assignments across the defensive front.
The clarification provided by Garrett and McVay resolves speculation about the informal nature of the deal, confirming that while the financial aspect was modest, it was a formalised transaction between teammates rather than a simple administrative update.
