Even before the Los Angeles Rams pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade for quarterback Matthew Stafford, head coach Sean McVay acknowledged the need for more explosive plays on offense.
The Rams were able to re-establish their emphasis on the run game behind the emergence of Cam Akers. Unfortunately, they were not able to make teams pay over the top very often as quarterback Jared Goff struggled to find his rhythm.
Stafford’s reputation as a bona fide gunslinger has led to high expectations for a potential resurgence on offense ahead of the 2021 NFL season. Of course, the onus will fall on McVay to make it come to fruition.
McVay acknowledged that he must do a better job of finding opportunities to take shots downfield, via Stu Jackson of the team’s official website:
“I think that’s something that we’ve definitely got to do a better job of, starting with me this next season,” McVay said.
McVay added that the key will be putting the right personnel in positions where they can succeed:
“I think it’s guys that can make things happen with the ball in their hands,” McVay said, when asked how he can add explosiveness outside of the quarterback position. “Certainly, I know we talked a lot about it throughout the season, plays down the field, I think there’s different ways of creating explosives. It’s a collaboration of, certainly I have to do a good job of giving us opportunities, and then the players are the ones that end up making it come to life. That’s always going to be a big part of it. I think when you have to go 12-, 15-play drives consistently, your margin for error is so small.”
The arrival of Stafford indicates that the Rams are well-equipped under center to make McVay’s plans come to fruition. After all, he was fifth among qualified passers with 8.7 pass yards per attempt last season. This is a vast difference from quarterback Jared Goff, who was 33rd at 6.2 air yards per attempt.
It will be interesting to see just how much of an emphasis L.A. will put on shoring up some more firepower for Stafford’s supporting cast through either free agency or the 2021 NFL Draft. Although wide receivers Josh Reynolds and Van Jefferson flashed some potential, they did not stretch the field quite like Brandin Cooks did prior to his departure.
Bringing in another potential playmaker could pay some dividends in McVay’s plans for the offense.
