Story by
Why Jaylen Watson was the Rams' key signing of the offseason
- Story by
- Why Jaylen Watson was the Rams' key signing of the offseason
When the Los Angeles Rams made the decision to add Jaylen Watson to their secondary, they acquired the one piece that their defense was in desperate need of: a big-body corner who is able to effortlessly replace Ahkello Witherspoon 's workload, while being able to cover receivers one-on-one, control the outside against the run, and blitz the passer.
Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula loves aggressive football. He had his rules and tendencies, with his outlook being shaped by the former defensive coordinators he's worked under in Los Angeles . But he has his style, and his defense peaked when he was allowed to control the pen.
Advertisement
In 2025, Shula was excellent early. Injuries played a massive factor in the second-half slump of the defense, as well as weaknesses with their personnel that were exploited by the opposition. The Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers proved the Rams were no match for taller receivers, thus Watson helps fill that need.
But it's the other elements. Being able to bring pressure from different angles, being able to sink a safety into the box because Shula knows his outside corners will answer the call, having players who are bought into the system, with the skills to execute. Watson brings all that to life.
However, what will make Watson great in 2026 isn't the scheme or his teammates. It's timing. The only way to beat Shula's scheme, unless you have a generational running back, is to attack the underneath early with the pass, to then force Shula into having a single-high safety. Whichever safety drops, whether it's Kam Curl or Kam Kinchens , they would often have to be reactionary, messing up the timing of their attack. There were fears that the outside would get beaten to the punch for receivers coming inside, allowing a seam for players to advance the ball upfield.
Shula's bend-but-don't-break method works because it constantly forces an offense to make repeated successful plays and takes advantage of offenses running out of patience and tiring themselves out. The short-yardage attack would lead to constant completions that would tire out the Rams' defense, leaving them with little juice once they have to transition into their red zone.
Advertisement
Shula's defense is built to induce turnovers and field goals. The reason is that the more possessions the Rams steal or do not allow the opposition to score a touchdown, the more time and chances the Rams' offense has to score. The Rams do not need a shutout performance. They just need to delay the enemy enough for the offense to increase their lead, forcing them to pass.
It's an efficient system that becomes ineffective if opposing receivers are able to move freely within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage. Watson's frame and physicality will be able to disrupt the timing of those routes, forcing the opposition to go in another direction. When they must do that, Shula's defense historically has dominated.
Trent McDuffie may be the blockbuster move of the offseason, but Watson will force offenses to challenge McDuffie, making him the key signing of 2026.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Why Jaylen Watson was the Rams' key signing of the offseason
