Rams star says NFL teams ‘hate us’ after Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald additions spark ‘new Dodgers’ comparison

The Rams know exactly how the rest of the NFL feels about them. They are being called the new Dodgers, and they are fine with it.

Quentin Lake has expanded on the comparison after Los Angeles stacked their defence this off-season.

"You know all these other teams probably hate us," the Rams safety said, per the Los Angeles Times' Gary Klein. "They think we're like the new Dodgers or something like that."

Lake owns the 'new Dodgers' label as Garrett and Donald promise big

The Dodgers have won back-to-back World Series, so the comparison says plenty about the hype in Los Angeles.

The Rams landed reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett in the biggest trade of the off-season, then watched Aaron Donald return from two years of retirement days later.

Opponents are not thrilled. One NFL GM told insider Jordan Schultz that Donald signing with Los Angeles "is so f*****."

The cost was steep. The Rams sent 2024 first-round pick and Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse to Cleveland, along with a bevy of draft picks including their 2027 first-rounder.

Garrett set the single-season sack record last year and signed a four-year, $160 million pact in LA, with $123.6 million guaranteed.

The early signs are good on the injury front too. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Garrett had a knee issue in camp but is ramping up.

"He's been ramping up slowly, but surely. Been lifting a lot of weights. Now, he's on the practice field, so I'm hearing he should be good as well," Fowler said.

Sean McVay confirmed on Sunday that Garrett will practice.

That is a scary prospect for offences. The Rams finished seventh in sacks last season and ranked fourth in pressure rate, even though their pass defence was only 19th in the league.

Adding Garrett to that front, and Donald to the middle of it, changes the maths completely.

There is one headache to sort. Over The Cap projects the Rams $1.3 million over the cap once top-51 salaries count on September 9.

That is a small price for a super team. The hate from the rest of the league is part of the deal now, and the Rams are wearing it like a badge of honour.