The Los Angeles Rams have provided the next exclamation mark this offseason with the signing of linebacker Bobby Wagner. Those who bet on the decline of the title team are apparently proven wrong.

Munich – Any reigning Super Bowl champion who lets a future Hall-of-Famer go and replaces him with another future Hall-of-Famer has only one goal: defending the title.

The Los Angeles Rams’ plan is obvious, as the franchise from the south-west of the USA has brought the next top-class player into their team with the signing of top linebacker Bobby Wagner. Wagner, who according to media reports has signed a five-year contract worth at least 50 million US dollars, is expected to fill the gap in the defence created by Von Miller’s departure.

Wagner as a status symbol for the Rams?

Even though Miller, who is headed to the Buffalo Bills, is an outside linebacker and Wagner is a middle linebacker, the new addition can be viewed as a replacement. Both players are of similar calibre – two of the best pass rushers in the league.

From the Rams’ point of view, it was not even absolutely necessary to sign Wagner. After all, Los Angeles’ defence was still one of the strongest in the NFL after the Miller departure. The reason for this is, among others, Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey. With Donald, the Rams have one of the best defensive tackles there is. Jalen Ramsey is one of the strongest cornerbacks on any team.

Wagner coined “Legion of Boom “

But then why sign All-Pro Bobby Wagner? Simply because the Rams can obviously afford him. Even though the 31-year-old isn’t the youngest anymore and costs a lot of money, there’s little risk to the Rams in the deal. Wagner, who was a longtime part of the Seattle Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom” and defined an era there, is cashing in big and facing a new challenge with a team packed with stars. The Rams are getting one of the best linebackers in the league, who can always be counted on.

So you can argue whether Wagner is a 1-to-1 replacement or even an upgrade to Miller. What is clear is that the Wagner deal certainly puts the Super Bowl champions back at the top of the league in all areas of defence. But the Rams didn’t just focus on their defense this offseason.

New options for Matt Stafford

Although the team has strong wide receivers in Cooper Kupp and Van Jefferson, Allen Robinson was drafted from the Chicago Bears, expanding the kickoff options for quarterback Matthew Stafford and bringing even more variation to the offense. The re-signing of free agent Odell Beckham Jr. also remains up in the air, as the Rams gave up a good receiver in the trade of Robert Woods to the Tennessee Titans.

But aside from Miller, Woods and Andrew Whitworth, who at 40 became the NFL’s oldest offensive tackle to end his career after winning the Vince Lombardy Trophy, the Rams have few serious departures to deal with. Especially since they have extended the contracts of Matt Stafford and also Joe Noteboom, who is expected to follow in Whitworth’s footsteps.

Rams: More than the divisional win

Los Angeles thus remains the top favourite in the NFC West, because unlike the Rams, the other teams don’t have nearly as strong a squad at their disposal. The Seahawks don’t, anyway, because the team is now in a fundamental rebuild – with Wagner, a star player has now also moved to a direct division rival. But the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals have also taken it easy this offseason.

So making the playoffs should only be Los Angeles’ minimum goal. Instead, head coach Sean Mcvay’s franchise is looking to accomplish what the New England Patriots last did in 2004 and 2005.

Vince Lombardy Trophy or nothing?

There is only one Plan A for the Rams, as they have put all their eggs in one basket: to become back-to-back Super Bowl champions. Anything else would almost be a disappointment with this squad.