Entering the offseason, Los Angeles Rams star Matthew Stafford is by all accounts 100 percent healthy and will be ready to go when the 2023 season officially kicks off.
Stafford saw his 2022 campaign end early due to injury and the severity of it even prompted some to speculate he could retire. However, the Rams quarterback dispelled that notion quickly and appears ready to led the team back to the playoffs.
Injuries at the NFL level are commonplace and can unfortunately swing playoff runs, with the most recent example coming in the NFC Championship Game between the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles. The 49ers saw Brock Purdy can get hurt in the first series of the game and backup Josh Johnson leave due to a concussion.
In order to remedy the problem, the NFL instituted a rule that will allow for teams to have three quarterbacks active on game days. Stafford learned of the rule change and voiced his support for it in an interview with Rams broadcasters J.B. Long and D’Marco Farr:
“I remember them going away from it, thinking it was maybe going to help develop quarterbacks in some aspect and also get an extra special teams-type player, somebody that can really help in the core special teams stuff on the field,” Stafford said. “I’m glad to have it back. I think from a safety standpoint, guys will be more willing to be honest with whatever’s going on with them. If they need to be out of a game, if they know they have a third guy waiting there to go in. glad to see it. I think it’s good for the league.”
The emergency quarterback needs to be on the 53-man roster for teams to take advantage, but it’s still a step in the right direction regarding player safety and health. Last season, Los Angeles had Stafford and backups John Wolford and Bryce Perkins on their 53-man roster, so they’re not strangers to having three quarterbacks rostered.
For a team like the Rams that just saw most of its squad decimated due to injuries last season, the provision couldn’t come at a better time. Los Angeles and the other 31 teams will be taking this into account when making cuts during the offseason but hopefully Stafford’s right and it does lead to more honest reporting from players.
Matthew Stafford supports offensive lineman-heavy draft
Stafford spent a lot of time on the ground last season as the offensive line couldn’t hold up against pass rushers. However, the Rams made sure to take a couple of lineman in this year’s draft which drew support from the signal caller.
