Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10). Photo Credit: Jeffrey Becker/Imagn Images
The Rams recovered from a slow start in 2024, winning nine of their final twelve games and earning their fourth playoff appearance in the last five years. After a divisional round loss to the eventual champion Eagles, Los Angeles has shifted its focus to the offseason. This is a team caught between two timelines. Aging stars like Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp have carried the team for years, but young players are ready to take the torch. So, what should the Los Angeles Rams offseason look like?
Trade Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp
It seems like the Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp era may have run its course in Los Angeles. Don’t get me wrong – these two players are both still very capable of contributing to a quality offense when healthy. However, the Rams seem to recognize that the value they could receive for Stafford and Kupp is about to drop exponentially. Both stars are at the tail end of their careers, while the rest of the team is significantly younger. It’s time to turn the page and start fresh in Los Angeles.
Sign Sam Darnold
If Stafford is out, the second move in the Los Angeles Rams offseason should be to sign quarterback Sam Darnold. We’ve seen him thrive in a McVay-esque offensive scheme. This would be a smooth transition for a quarterback who is only just getting his feet under himself in his NFL career. Sure, Darnold isn’t the same quality of player that Matthew Stafford is, but he fits the timeline of this roster much better. By signing Darnold, the Rams can get significantly younger while staying competitive.
Draft a Defensive Back
In 2024, the Rams ranked in the bottom half of the league in both passing yards allowed and points allowed per game. They were able to find value in players like Ahkello Weatherspoon and Cobie Durant, but this secondary is still lacking top-end talent. Los Angeles may seek to target a defensive back early in the 2025 NFL draft. Prospects like Benjamin Morrison and Trey Amos could provide a significant boost to the Rams’ pass defense.
