Byron Young is moving differently during Los Angeles Rams training camp.
The outside linebacker's new swagger comes fresh off a breakout 2025 season, fueled by offseason use of Pilates to better match his strength with his speed, and by a talented defense that got even better this offseason.
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Expectations for that side of the ball have risen to another level, even after losing edge rusher Jared Verse — the team acquired two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett from Cleveland in the deal. The Rams also landed Pro Bowl cornerback Trent McDuffie via trade and signed cornerback Jaylen Watson in free agency, giving Los Angeles what many consider the NFL's most talented defense.
Young believes the unit can reach the level of historically dominant defenses such as the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers, the 1985 Chicago Bears, the 1991 Philadelphia Eagles, the 1986 New York Giants, the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers or the 2013 Seattle Seahawks.
Byron Young talks Rams defensive potential
"We could be the best to ever do it," Young told ESPN during practice. "I'm not afraid to put that out there. Coming off already being a good defense, adding those DBs and one of the best edge rushers to ever do it? Having that, and already being the type of group that's growing and getting better and kind of already established — there's no telling what we can do."
The comments could be viewed as a stretch, but the thinking behind them is understandable. The Rams had a good defense last season, ranking fifth in the NFL with 26 takeaways.
Young impressed, recording a career-high 12 sacks en route to his first Pro Bowl selection. Kobie Turner was very good on the interior, and Verse anchored the pass rush. Still, the secondary was a glaring weakness — one that ultimately cost the Rams in the NFC Championship.
Adding McDuffie, who could become the league's best cornerback, along with the steady Watson, addresses that problem. Losing Verse stings, but the team arguably upgraded by replacing him with Garrett, who set the NFL's single-season sack record in 2025. He's a few years older but remains just as dominant.
There's also the increased likelihood that Aaron Donald, maybe the greatest defensive tackle in NFL history, unretires before Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Understanding all of that, Young has a point.
It could certainly happen.
