Myles Garrett did not take long to embrace the Los Angeles sports scene after his blockbuster move to the Rams.
Not long after arriving in the city, the new Rams pass rusher was on the mound at Dodger Stadium, throwing out the first pitch while wearing a Kobe Bryant T-shirt.
Garrett is not just joining a new team. He is stepping into a city where Bryant’s legacy still shapes how athletes talk about success and determination.
Myles Garrett explains Kobe Bryant’s impact on his life
Garrett said Bryant’s influence goes back to childhood, from his look to the way he learned to think about competition.
“Big Kobe fan. I used to wear the short fro just like Kobe. You know, that love has been there ever since. I had a lot of respect for it, the way he goes about his business. Obviously, Mamba Mentality. Just the way he treated every single game, every single second he was out there, he never took it for granted. I’ve kind of treated my career and life the same way.”
There is no clear public record of Garrett and Bryant ever interacting before Bryant’s death in 2020. But Garrett now joins a long list of athletes who have been shaped by Bryant’s legacy without needing to meet him.
The Rams landed Garrett from the Browns in a deal that sent Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-rounder, and a 2029 third-rounder the other way. Los Angeles then reworked his contract, tying him down long-term after adding a two-time Defensive Player of the Year coming off a record 23-sack season.
Garrett needs Mamba Mentality to push the Rams over the top
Garrett has achieved almost everything individually. The missing piece is a Super Bowl.
That is why the Rams’ move makes sense. Matthew Stafford gives Sean McVay a proven championship quarterback, while Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and Kyren Williams give the offense star power at every level.
On the other side of the ball, Garrett links up with Byron Young, Kobie Turner, and Poona Ford, giving the Rams a formidable pass rush even after losing Verse in the trade.
The timing is deliberate. Super Bowl LXI will be played at SoFi Stadium, and the Rams have moved into clear favorite territory with Garrett now on board.
There are still plenty of threats. Seattle, Baltimore, Buffalo, Kansas City, and Philadelphia all have the talent to spoil their plans.
But Garrett did not come to LA just for the headlines. If he can truly channel the mindset he admired in Bryant, the Rams may have found the defensive leader they needed to finish the job.
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