Rams Emerge as Super Bowl Favorites After Free Agency Moves

The Los Angeles Rams have overtaken the Seattle Seahawks as the new favorites to win the Super Bowl next season.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Seattle Seahawks were the reigning Super Bowl champions and the favorites to repeat in 2026, but that has changed after the start of NFL free agency. The Los Angeles Rams, who were one play away from the Super Bowl last season, have now emerged as the new favorites after making key moves to improve their secondary. The Rams traded for and extended star cornerback Trent McDuffie and also signed Jaylen Watson, giving them arguably the best cornerback duo in the league. Along with re-signing safety Kamren Curl, the Rams have gone from having a below-average secondary to potentially the best in the NFL, vaulting them to the top of the Super Bowl odds.

Why it matters

The Rams' free agency moves have significantly shifted the balance of power in the NFL. As the reigning champions, the Seahawks were expected to be the favorites again, but the Rams have now leapfrogged them by addressing their biggest weakness from last season. This could set up an epic NFC West rivalry and potential playoff matchup between the two teams as they vie for Super Bowl supremacy.

The details

The Rams made two key moves to bolster their secondary, trading for and extending Trent McDuffie, considered the best slot cornerback in the NFL, and signing Jaylen Watson, a top 15-20 outside cornerback. Along with re-signing safety Kamren Curl, the Rams have gone from having a below-average secondary to potentially the best in the league. This was a major weakness for them last season, as the Seahawks were able to exploit it in the NFC Championship game.

  • The Rams' free agency moves occurred in the first few hours of the new league year on Monday, March 9, 2026.

The players

Trent McDuffie

An elite slot cornerback who the Rams traded for and extended to be the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.

Jaylen Watson

A premier outside, physical cornerback that the Rams signed in free agency, considered one of the top 15-20 players at his position.

Kamren Curl

A standout safety for the Rams who they re-signed, often having to do more than asked due to the team's secondary issues last season.

Seattle Seahawks

The reigning Super Bowl champions who were previously the favorites to repeat, but have now fallen behind the Rams in the Super Bowl odds.

Los Angeles Rams

The team that has now emerged as the new favorites to win the Super Bowl after their free agency moves to improve their secondary.

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What’s next

The Rams and Seahawks will likely be on a collision course for the NFC West title and a potential playoff matchup, with the winner potentially emerging as the favorite to win the Super Bowl.

The takeaway

The Rams' aggressive free agency moves to address their secondary have vaulted them to the top of the Super Bowl odds, overtaking the reigning champion Seahawks. This sets up an intriguing NFC West rivalry and potential playoff showdown between the two teams as they vie for NFL supremacy.