When it comes to making a seamless transition, it doesn’t get any easier than Rams rookie running backs Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.
Chemistry between the two teammates?
Yes, the dynamic duo were part of the same division of the Chiefs’ 2022 draft and played together on Kansas City’s defensive end for the past four seasons, helping Patrick Mahomes and company win two Super Bowls.
There have been a total of 424 tackles, six interceptions, 58 passes and 9.5 sacks while guarding the Chiefs’ second division.
Check it out.
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Moving from the Midwest to California?
McDuffie grew up in Southern California, playing high school football at both Servite High School in Anaheim and St. John Bosco in Bellflower, before playing collegiately at the University of Washington.
His whole family still lives in the area.
Watson spent two years at Ventura College, not far from the Rams’ Woodland Hills campus, before moving on to Washington State and the NFL.
Palm trees, Pacific Ocean breeze, even traffic flow through their veins.
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The pressures of being counted on by a team with Super Bowl aspirations?
Remember, the two quarterbacks just spent four years with the Chiefs, where it’s been a Super Bowl or played every season. They went three in their first three NFL seasons, winning two.
No one needs to explain the pressures, expectations, or mentality required to play or succeed at the big stages in football.
They have lived it all and welcome the opportunity to do more.
Check, check, and check.
It’s no surprise that both players looked comfortable Thursday when the Rams took them out of their press conferences.
From their attire to their demeanor to the way they confidently spoke about helping push the Rams back to the Super Bowl, McDuffie and Watson were a perfect match in the bright, beautiful, cold light of a March morning in Southern California.
“It’s a good thing,” said McDuffie, smiling from the Valley to Manhattan Beach.
He had a million reasons to smile broadly, and not just because he’s back home in California, now the NFL’s highest-paid quarterback at $124 million over four years, surrounded by family and friends and joining a franchise that puts its annual highs just as high as his former team.
He also goes through Rams’ locked door with Watson.
How badly did he want to do that?
However, almost immediately after the Rams jumped in line to trade McDuffie, agreeing to send two first-round picks and four overall picks to Kansas City for him, McDuffie was hitting up Watson, a pending free agent, hoping to lure him back to the West Coast, too.
“Always keep an open mind,” McDuffie remembers telling Watson.
Of course, Watson was very open to the idea. He fell in love with California during his time at Ventura, he wanted a chance to continue playing for a winner, and teaming up with McDuffie wasn’t a bad idea.
“It’s not just our partners,” Watson said. “He is one of the closest players in the team.”
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The Rams also had an open mind, which was the key to this entire encounter. So much so that even after giving McDuffie a record-breaking contract, they agreed to offer Watson 3 years, $51 million to bring him to Los Angeles, too.
Needing to retool their cornerback room after being on offense last season, the Rams have been well on their way to using their financial strength to double down on the secondary. It helps that their draft and development operations are made up of so many talented young players that they have few pressing needs.
If you can zoom in on one or two areas, instead of many, you can be aggressive with the money you spend on repairs.
The moves to bring in McDuffie and Watson reflect that. They turned weaknesses into strengths, not just this season but for the foreseeable future.
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That’s why Sean McVay, who was always on fire, broke down more than usual when he called both players to welcome them into the family.
“I hope you’re happy,” Watson remembers McVay telling him during their first conversation.
“I am,” Watson promised.
“Well, you’re not as happy as I am!” He yelled at McVay again.
“He’s full of energy,” Watson said, smiling.
So are the Rams’ two new linebackers.
It’s one of the many reasons why their transition to their new team has already felt so seamless.
