The Los Angeles Rams seem to be entering a transition year of sorts as they’ve made some tough decisions in regards to their top-heavy roster.
As an over-the-cap team, the Rams have begun the process of shedding money off their books as they’ve parted ways with players like Bobby Wagner and Leonard Floyd. There’s also the speculation on a potential trade of Jalen Ramsey, who seems to be well aware his time in Los Angeles could be coming to an end.
So far during the offseason, though, Los Angeles has been defiant about the perception that they are going to be rebuilding and are instead calling it a “remodel.” Les Snead spoke to the media recently and explained the rationale behind the remodel team-building strategy, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:
In January, Snead used the term “remodel” to describe Los Angeles’ approach to constructing this year’s roster. On Thursday, he expanded on that label and why he doesn’t view it as a “rebuild.”
“The reason I said remodel, not rebuild, is a player like (quarterback) Matthew Stafford,” Snead said. “To me, in a rebuild, you would just bulldoze the house down and begin rebuilding from the ground up. But when you have someone like, Matthew Stafford, players like (wide receiver) Cooper Kupp, (defensive lineman) Aaron Donald, there’s some weight-bearing walls there that we still have and we’re going to rely on those.”
Snead has a point as the Rams still employ quality players at key positions on both sides of the field. The offensive side should be much better in 2023 with Stafford and Kupp fully healthy, plus a revamped scheme devised by Sean McVay and Mike LaFleur.
The defense is where the team could see major regression because outside of Donald there will be questions at the other two levels. Ernest Jones heads into a pivotal third year manning the middle of the field, while the secondary could look drastically different especially if Ramsey is indeed off the roster. A younger defensive unit would signal that Los Angeles is hoping the offense can carry them in the interim.
Between free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft, Snead and company will have several tough decisions to make ahead of the new year. There are clear needs across the roster that need addressing, but at least he and the rest of the front office can lean on their veteran players to help them stay somewhat competitive.
