Lack of Matthew Stafford Succession Plan May Value Rams Tremendous Bowl Shot

CARSON, Calif. — Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay appropriately wore shades whereas addressing reporters after his crew’s joint apply with the New Orleans Saints on Thursday at Dignity Well being Sports activities Park. 

Obfuscation concerning accidents is paramount throughout these canine days of coaching camp. And prime of thoughts for McVay was the well being of star quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has not practiced for the reason that begin of camp on account of an aggravated disc in his again. McVay mentioned that Stafford will attempt to throw on Saturday earlier than the Rams host the crosstown rival Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium of their second preseason recreation. 

“Hopefully it responds a bit bit higher and I’ll have extra data for you guys then,” McVay mentioned concerning Stafford.

Prior to now two years, McVay and GM Les Snead have retooled the crew with a ferocious defensive entrance led by Jared Verse, Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske. Now as they’re anticipated to contend for the Tremendous Bowl after taking the Philadelphia Eagles to the brink of elimination within the divisional spherical final season, the Rams have pinned their title hopes on a 37-year-old quarterback with a balky again. 

If Stafford can’t keep wholesome, it’s laborious to see this crew making any noise within the postseason — and even reaching the playoffs. And the crew’s failure to create a succession plan for Stafford may curtail its Tremendous Bowl hopes for years to return.

Stafford was anticipated to return to apply after a throwing session on the crew’s Woodland Hills headquarters final weekend. McVay mentioned Stafford made 68 throws throughout that session and seemed good. However the veteran QB didn’t take part in apply all week. 

When requested if Stafford would possibly want surgical procedure to repair the disc concern, McVay mentioned that has not been mentioned. 

The Rams and Stafford had in depth contract negotiations this offseason, throughout which the crew gave him permission to hunt a commerce. A part of the crew’s apprehension in transferring ahead with Stafford is his harm historical past since arriving in Los Angeles. Final season, he cracked 4 ribs in Week 15. In 2023, he missed two video games with a sprained ligament in his proper thumb and performed by a hip contusion. He missed the final seven video games of the 2022 season with a bruised spinal twine. He additionally handled a concussion and lingering elbow points.

Ultimately, after Stafford entertained pitches from the Las Vegas Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, he and the Rams agreed to a two-year, $84 million extension. 

If Stafford misses time through the 2025 common season, subsequent up is veteran Jimmy Garoppolo. After scorching in a joint scrimmage in opposition to an undermanned Dallas protection final week, Garoppolo struggled with accuracy and did not discover a rhythm in a joint apply with the Saints right here on Thursday. The Rams had been flummoxed by a New Orleans protection led by former L.A. defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. 

Sean McVay described Garoppolo’s efficiency as “up and down.” 

“Considered one of my favourite issues about Jimmy is that if one thing doesn’t go down the best way we wish or if we’ve a bit little bit of a miscommunication, he’s nice about with the ability to reset,” McVay mentioned.

The Rams signed Garoppolo earlier than final season, and he is again on a one-year, $3 million deal. Maybe that is as a result of he all the time performed effectively in opposition to the Rams, posting an 8-0 document through the common season in opposition to McVay. Nevertheless, there is a motive why the 49ers and Raiders moved on from Garoppolo, and his potential to remain on the sphere is worse than Stafford’s.

Jimmy Garoppolo could also be one of many higher backups within the league, however it will be powerful for the Rams to depend on the 33-year-old journeyman to guide them deep into the postseason. (Picture by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos)

The Rams have had time to seek out an eventual successor for Stafford since making the commerce with the Detroit Lions to safe his providers 4 years in the past. Since McVay took over as head coach in 2017, nevertheless, the Rams have drafted just one quarterback: Stetson Bennett within the fourth spherical in 2023. The 27-year-old Georgia product appears higher in his third season, however he doesn’t mission because the long-term reply at quarterback for the Rams.

As a substitute, McVay has as an alternative invested in reclamation tasks like Garoppolo, Blake Bortles, Baker Mayfield and Carson Wentz. The Rams have handed on utilizing important draft capital to pick a quarterback of the long run. Definitely their lack of a first-round decide for seven consecutive years from 2017 to 2023 was an element. “F them picks” was the crew’s mantra after successful Tremendous Bowl LVI in 2022.

However this 12 months, they traded out of the primary spherical one decide after the New York Giants chosen Jaxson Dart at No. 25. Different developmental quarterbacks out there when Los Angeles was on the clock included Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe and Shedeur Sanders. The Rams had a go to with Milroe through the pre-draft course of.

Final 12 months, the Rams had been reportedly excited about buying and selling up for Georgia tight finish Brock Bowers, who went to the Raiders at No. 13. Possibly they need to have been working to maneuver up for an opportunity to draft Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy or Bo Nix.

The Rams have two first-round picks subsequent 12 months, so McVay may look to deal with the quarterback place at the moment. However that doesn’t assist this crew with Tremendous Bowl aspirations if Stafford can’t work out a method to get again on the sphere and keep wholesome in 2025. 

For now, McVay is relying on the tough-minded Texan to work by the ache and be prepared for the season opener in opposition to the Houston Texans. 

“I don’t actually have rather more data aside from we’re attempting some various things which are hopefully going to be in alignment with getting him again out on the sphere,” McVay mentioned.

The Rams want rather more data quickly.

Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for greater than a decade, masking the Los Angeles Rams for Sports activities Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma Information Tribune. Observe him on X at @eric_d_williams.

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