The Los Angeles Rams got their man for the backfield.
Following the devastating season-ending training camp injury (Achilles) to running back Cam Akers, the Rams have been searching for who will carry the ball for Matt Stafford and the offense.
Wednesday, the Rams made a deal with the New England Patriots.
Sony Michel is now a Ram.
Patriots to trade RB Sony Michel to the Rams for a 2022 fifth-round pick and 2022 sixth-round pick. pic.twitter.com/H8ajilOuiw
— NFL (@NFL) August 25, 2021
This deal makes sense for both sides as Bill Belichick’s Patriots seem to have an abundance of running back talent on the roster and obviously, the Rams need to fill the hole left by Akers.
Patriots are trading RB Sony Michel to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for two late-round conditional draft picks, per sources.
New England gets back two picks, the Rams get needed talent and depth at running back.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 25, 2021
Ironically, Michel was a member of Patriots team that defeated the Rams in the Super Bowl on February 3, 2019.
He scored the only touchdown in that low-scoring Super Bowl.
.@Patriots trade RB Sony Michel to the @RamsNFL for 2 conditional late-round draft picks.
The trade helps Rams replace RB Cam Akers.
Sony Michel scored the only TD in Super Bowl LIII against the Rams
(via @AdamSchefter, 📹 @NFL) pic.twitter.com/8rLbpGOU7s
— Sportskeeda Pro Football (@SKProFootball) August 25, 2021
Michel has an opportunity to flourish in Los Angeles.
Here is how he can do it.
2. He Will Get More Rushing Attempts
2020 was not a great season for Michel or the Patriots.
Michel dealt with injuries that hindered his availability.
Besides that, the Patriots offense under Cam Newton was totally different than when Tom Brady was there.
By joining the Rams, a now healthy Michel will get the rushing attempts he had when Brady was his quarterback in New England.
1. Rams Succeed When Rushing Game Is Solid
Sony Michel is likely to play the 2019 Todd Gurley role in the #Rams offense.
— Mike Tanier (@MikeTanier) August 25, 2021
The rushing game for those Patriots teams was not the bread-and-butter.
Everyone knows those teams were carried by Brady.
Conversely, the Rams’ best season (under Coach Sean McVay) was that Super Bowl season of 2018.
How did they get there?
They were carried by the legs of running back Todd Gurley (a college teammate of Michel) who arguably wore himself out before the Super Bowl.
The Rams want to run the ball so Michel will get plenty of opportunities to be a playmaker in the offense if he stays healthy.
Michel has been within 70 yards of a 1,000-yard season, but if he plays well, he can realistically expect to rush for over 1,000 yards especially with the expanded 17-game regular season.
Reaction To The Trade
As expected, Michel’s Patriots teammates were sad to see him go.
James White said it was “tough” to hear Sony Michel had been traded.
“That’s my guy.” pic.twitter.com/MJjCB9MKr1
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) August 25, 2021
Fellow running back James White said:
“Definitely tough. That’s my guy. Being with him since his rookie year and helping him become the player he is today, he’s gotten better and better each year…It’s tough to see him go, for sure. He’s a hard worker, tough guy, definitely puts the team first. Definitely going to miss him. Best of luck to him.”
“Definitely like a little brother. He’s from where I am from, so us Florida guys, we kind of gravitate towards each other. Just tried to take him under my wing a little bit and tried to help him be the best player and man on and off the field that he could be.”
The good news for Michel is that he will be reunited with his college running backs coach.
Also worth mentioning that Rams assistant head coach Thomas Brown was Sony Michel’s position coach at Georgia in 2015.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) August 25, 2021
It is still a big challenge for Michel, a Florida native who went to college at Georgia, to jump coasts and get acclimated to a new offense in the waning weeks of training camp.
NEXT: Sean McVay Banking Future With Rams On Matthew Stafford