The 2021 NFL season has arrived after nine months of waiting, with high expectations for the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers. Both teams have undergone substantial roster changes, and have their eyes set on bringing the Lombardi Trophy to Los Angeles for the first time since the 1984 NFL season.

The Los Angeles Rams have had some changes at key positions, trading the number one overall pick in 2016 Jared Goff and two first round picks to the Detroit Lions in exchange for the number one overall pick in 2009, Mathew Stafford. Jared Goff led the Rams to the Superbowl in 2018, receiving the largest contract in NFL history as a reward for doing so. However, after two seasons of below average play in 2019 and 2020, Ram’s GM Les Snead and Ram’s Head Coach Sean McVay expressed a need to move on. The Rams have also traded for Patriots running back Sony Michel, adding depth to a group riddled with multiple key injuries. These trades in combination with the signing of NFL veteran wide receiver Desean Jackson puts the Rams in position to advance to the Superbowl once again and possibly bring the Lombardi Trophy to Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Chargers have undergone a complete restructuring of the coaching staff since last season, firing former head coach Anthony Lynn for former Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. Staley oversaw the number one ranked defense in 2020, and hopes to generate the same kind of defensive success for the Chargers. The Chargers are led by 2nd year quarterback Justin Herbert, coming off a stellar season that earned him the title of Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Chargers have no established history in Los Angeles, moving to the City of Angels for the first time in 2016. Winning the Lombardi could be the start of their history in LA.