Sony Michel was ‘surprised’ when he learned of trade to Los Angeles Rams
By Jake Rill
Published:
Sony Michel had never thought about the possibility of him getting traded by the New England Patriots. And yet, he’s now a member of the Los Angeles Rams with 2 weeks to go until the start of the 2021 NFL season.
After spending his first 3 seasons with the Pats, the former Georgia running back is now beginning a new chapter of his football career in Los Angeles. The Patriots sent Michel to the Rams on Wednesday in exchange for a 2022 sixth-round draft pick and a 2023 fourth-round draft pick.
“I was surprised. I would assume that most people when they’re traded, they’re surprised,” Michel said when speaking with the media on Thursday (h/t Cameron DaSilva of Rams Wire).
But it was also a trade that made a ton of sense for both sides. And from that perspective, it wasn’t much of a surprise.
The Rams needed a running back after losing Cam Akers to a season-ending right Achilles tendon tear. They wanted to add somebody to pair with Darrell Henderson Jr. in their backfield.
Meanwhile, the Patriots had too many running backs. In addition to Michel, their roster included Damien Harris, James White, J.J. Taylor and rookie Rhamondre Stevenson.
Michel, who played at Georgia from 2014-17, impressed in each of his first 2 NFL seasons, rushing for 931 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2018, then 912 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2019.
However, injuries limited Michel to 9 games in 2020, when he ran for 449 yards and 1 touchdown. So he’ll be looking to stay healthy and have a bounce-back season for the Rams in 2021.
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
