The Los Angeles Rams dramatically strengthened their defense by acquiring Myles Garrett, instantly raising the stakes across the NFC West. None of that appeared to intimidate Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. during OTAs on June 10.
The blockbuster trade, finalized on June 1, sent edge rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick to the Browns. Garrett, the reigning NFL single-season sack leader with 23 sacks in 2025, now joins a loaded Rams offense featuring Matthew Stafford, Davante Adams, and Puka Nacua. Arizona is scheduled to face Garrett in Week 6 at Los Angeles and again in Week 10 at State Farm Stadium.
Jun 6, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett throws out the honorary first pitch before a game between the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
Starting linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. gave a direct and confident response when asked about the trade. “S–t, they gotta deal with us. At the end of the day, they gotta deal with us,” Wilson said. The clip quickly went viral.
Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur set the same tone a week earlier. After the trade broke on June 1, LaFleur was asked about preparing for Garrett twice a year. He declined to treat it as a crisis. “You’re not really concerned about that right now,” LaFleur said. “It’s just the season’s too long.” His players adopted the same position at June’s OTAs, with Wilson delivering the punchiest version of what has become the Arizona party line.
Not all Cardinals players were as dismissive. Tight end Trey McBride admitted he was surprised by the move but welcomed the challenge: “I was really shocked… but honestly, the guy’s a tremendous player. I’m excited to go against one of the best in the league twice a year.”
“I was really trying to figure out how they were going to get this done… but honestly, the guy’s a tremendous player. I’m excited to go against one of the best in the league twice a year, every year,” he added. McBride also noted that Jared Verse was himself a “tremendous player,” framing the trade as a straight swap of elite pass rushers rather than a step change in the division’s balance of power.
Paris Johnson Jr. Prepares for Toughest Test Against Myles Garrett
The matchup Arizona cannot avoid is Paris Johnson Jr vs. Myles Garrett. Johnson, the Cardinals’ first-round pick in 2023, has developed into one of the better left tackles in the league. He missed the final two games of 2025 with a PCL sprain but was cleared in the offseason. Garrett, who immediately called winning his primary motivation for joining Los Angeles, arrived with 23 sacks from the 2025 season.
The Cardinals’ offensive line ranked 11th in pass-block efficiency last season, but Garrett has dismantled far better units. Whether Wilson’s confidence translates to Johnson holding his ground in Week 6 is the real test for Arizona’s front office this offseason.
The Cardinals have not beaten the Rams since 2024. Los Angeles swept Arizona by a combined 32 points in 2025. Wilson’s message was clear and deliberate. ButArizona’s two losses to the Rams last season came without Garrett on the roster. The version of Los Angeles that shows up in Week 6 will be different from anything the Cardinals have faced in the division. Wilson knows that. His answer was still the same.
The Cardinals open the 2026 season in September under head coach Mike LaFleur, entering his first full year. Arizona has the cap space, the young talent on offense, and now the bulletin-board material their linebacker just handed them. Whether Mack Wilson’s bold confidence translates on the field when Arizona faces Myles Garrett in Week 6 remains to be seen.
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