The Los Angeles Rams’ perceived remodel year in 2023 ended up being one of the most fun and rewarding seasons in a while as they defied expectations and made the 2024 NFL Playoffs.
The Rams were one offensive possession away from upsetting the Detroit Lions in the Wild Card Round, but despite the loss there’s optimism that the team can build on that momentum during the 2024 season. Los Angeles will be bringing back the core of the roster and an incoming group of rookies and free agents that should all play roles from the onset of the regular season.
However, the Rams will only go as far as Matthew Stafford takes them and he had bounce back year in 2023 after being forced to miss half of the 2022 campaign. Stafford has long been considered one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the league and he showed why he belongs in the conversation for best signal caller after leading Los Angeles to a postseason berth.
ESPN recently released a poll of executives and scouts that ranked the best quarterbacks in the NFL and Stafford came in at No. 5 behind Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN:
“He elevates the play of those around him,” a high-ranking official with an NFL team said. “Puka Nacua is a good player — but he’s not the same guy without Stafford. He helps those guys reach their potential.”
Throughout his career, Stafford has had a tendency to lock into a receiving option and pepper them with targets and that trend followed him to Los Angeles where he assisted in career years for both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Kupp was a Triple Crown receiver during 2021, while Nacua broke several rookie receiving records last year.
However, he’s also shown that he can make just about every throw in the playbook which gives head coach Sean McVay the opportunity to get creative with his playcalling. His toughness is also something that is worth mentioning as he’s built a reputation for being able to play through almost any sort of injury.
With another healthy offseason under his belt, there’s little reason to doubt that Stafford will be effective once the 2024 season kicks off.
Rams’ Blake Corum has high praise for Blake Corum
Matthew Stafford has earned the respect and admiration of the Rams locker room because of his play on the field, and has even got rookies like Blake Corum heaping praise on him despite the two not having any games together yet.
