LOS ANGELES — Just three seasons ago, Jalen Ramsey and Odell Beckham Jr. played pivotal roles in the Los Angeles Rams’ victorious run to the championship. However, within a year after the Rams celebrated their Super Bowl triumph, both athletes had departed from the franchise.
Ramsey made his way to Miami in early 2023 as the Rams embarked on a significant restructuring of the team, while Beckham left even sooner. The talented receiver, recovering from an injury, opted not to accept the limited contract the Rams proposed after acquiring him midseason.
The Rams found themselves at a crossroads, wanting to retain both stars but also focused on building a new championship-caliber team. After years of trading for high-profile players with substantial contracts, Los Angeles decided to let go of these established figures in order to pave the way for future talent. “You had to evaluate the timeline of your core players,” Rams general manager Les Snead explained. “It’s about finding the right moment to start building a new foundation.”
Snead emphasized the importance of integrating younger athletes who could thrive under rookie contracts, stating, “These guys grow together. It became clear we couldn’t keep the same group forever.”
Currently, Ramsey and Beckham are back on the field together with the Miami Dolphins, who sit at 2-6. They are set to meet the Rams, who have improved to 4-4, in a Monday night match reflecting the contrasting fortunes of the two teams. Los Angeles has secured three consecutive victories, largely due to contributions from new players that signal a hopeful future. In contrast, Miami has struggled with three straight losses, severely impacting their once-bright Super Bowl aspirations this season.
During his 3 1/2 years with the Rams, Ramsey was indispensable, showcasing his exceptional defensive skills by earning an All-Pro title in 2021 and registering ten interceptions for the team. Rams head coach Sean McVay acknowledged the impact Ramsey had on the franchise, expressing, “I hold immense respect for Jalen, and the decisions we faced weren’t rooted in a desire to see him go. There were many complexities that evolved from decisions made in the past, and he understood that.”
Beckham faced the Rams last season too, catching a touchdown pass while playing with the Baltimore Ravens.
Tua Tagovailoa’s first NFL start came against the Rams in 2020, where his second snap resulted in a fumble caused by Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers, leading to a touchdown for Los Angeles. Miami managed to pull off a surprising 28-17 victory, even though Tagovailoa only threw for 93 yards. Reflecting on the experience, he called it a “Welcome to the NFL” moment.
Since returning from injury, Tagovailoa has impressed. In the last two games, he has posted 465 passing yards and three touchdown passes without throwing a single interception, despite the team’s overall struggles.
Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead acknowledged the Rams’ formidable defensive line but expressed relief at not facing Aaron Donald, who has retired. Armstead praised Donald as a surefire Hall of Famer, stating, “I hope he is enjoying his retirement; I had my fair share of battles against him.” Despite the changes, Miami’s offensive line has effectively opened pathways for the running game, allowing over 140 yards on the ground for four consecutive contests without yielding sacks in the past two weeks.
The Rams’ offensive line is also looking to reestablish stability, with the potential return of several key players. Center Jonah Jackson is anticipated to come back from injury sustained in Week 2, and guard Steve Avila could take the field for the first time since Week 1. Furthermore, backup tackle Joe Noteboom may step in to cover for Rob Havenstein, who is sidelined with a sprained ankle.
De’Von Achane, a second-year running back, has been instrumental in forming a connection with Tagovailoa, often joining the team’s receivers in offseason training. This rapport has yielded impressive results as Achane has tallied 420 rushing yards on 93 attempts and 37 receptions for 302 receiving yards, contributing a total of six touchdowns. He stands fourth in the league for receiving yards among running backs and is Tagovailoa’s top target with 37 receptions, exceeding even the prolific Tyreek Hill.
Achane stated, “I consider catching the football as akin to running it. It’s all part of my job, and it’s something I take great pride in as a running back in this offense.”