The Los Angeles Rams are putting together a strong roster ahead of the 2026 season in an effort to stop being viewed as second in the race to win the championship, behind the current champions, the Seattle Seahawks, who appear as the main favorites.
To accomplish that goal, they have added new and important pieces to their roster, but they have also seen the departure of other players who had become true symbols of the organization, such as defensive back Darious Williams.
Darious Williams retires from the NFL
Through an official statement, the Los Angeles Rams announced that their defensive back Darious Williams was retiring from the NFL fields this Saturday, March 7, 2026.
Williams spent six seasons with the Los Angeles franchise and eight in total in the league since arriving in the NFL. He originally entered the league coming from the Baltimore Ravens. After spending more than half a decade with the Rams, his numbers ended up looking like this:
- 67 regular-season games
- 40 of them as a starter
- 12 postseason games with the Rams
- Super Bowl LVI champion in the 2021 season
Without a doubt, his best moments came while wearing the Rams uniform, with whom he produced some of the most important performances of his career and established himself as a reliable presence in the defensive secondary.
- 12 interceptions in his career
- With the Rams, he recorded 200 of his 306 total tackles
- 2 recovered fumbles
- 42 of 77 pass breakups
In 2022, he signed a three-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, although he did not end up fulfilling the full duration of that agreement, as he was released by the Florida team on March 5, 2024.
Only one week after that unpleasant news, he returned to Los Angeles on a three-year contract for what became his second stint with the West Coast franchise.
During this second chapter with the Rams, he consolidated himself as one of the best defensive backs in the entire league. He ranked second in the NFL with 58 pass breakups and also held that same position in passes defended with 73.
Those numbers helped reinforce his reputation as a dependable playmaker in the secondary and one of the most consistent defenders on the roster during his time with the team. His ability to read opposing quarterbacks and react quickly to passing plays made him a valuable contributor to the Rams’ defensive schemes.
His retirement comes because he has said that he wants to spend more time with his family, as his second child has been born, and he prefers to be with them rather than continue with practices and game days.
Furthermore, his departure will not impact the Rams as heavily because the team already has his replacement with the arrival of Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs.
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