The 2022 season was a nightmare for the Los Angeles Rams who failed to make the postseason despite winning Super Bowl LVI the year prior.
Injuries ravaged the roster on both sides of the field, with notable players like Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald getting shut down after suffering high-ankle sprains. The offense completely sputtered when Matthew Stafford was declared out for the year with a spinal contusion, a serious injury that made some believe he could call it career.
However, Stafford has spent the offseason rehabbing from his injury and is expected to be 100 percent for the 2023 campaign. The Rams will be careful with their starting quarterback, though they did give themselves a little more insurance by taking Stetson Bennett in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
During his short time in Los Angeles, Bennett has impressed both the coaches and his teammates with his on-field talent as well as his attitude. Stafford praised the rookie for being able to handle what’s been thrown at him so far.
“Stetson’s done a nice job,” Stafford said at the end of OTAs. “Obviously It’s a lot to process and a lot to learn for a young guy. He’s done a nice job. He’s got great athleticism, throws it really well. He does a lot of things really well, so I’m happy for him.”
As the team’s projected backup signal caller, Bennett likely won’t see the field much during the 2023 season though he’ll be able to learn a lot under Sean McVay and Stafford. The Georgia product doesn’t necessarily excel at one given thing, but does everything well enough that made him a worthwhile pick in the draft.
Hopefully Stafford is able to stay healthy for the entirety of next season as L.A. will need him operating at peak levels in order to prove the doubters wrong. Bennett is a nice piece for the future, though the Rams’ hopes for a bounce back are contingent on Stafford returning to form.
Matthew Stafford not worried about outside expectations
With all the roster turnover in the offseason, most people around the NFL aren’t expecting much from the Rams. It’s hard to blame them as they allowed plenty of talent to walk out the door.
While it might be dispiriting for fans to see Los Angeles out of the contender talks, Stafford isn’t paying much mind to the outside noise. Instead, the quarterback is focused on the work ahead and that’s the right mindset to have.
