One of the most intriguing parts of the NFL offseason is the variety of directions teams can take—something that also applies to the Los Angeles Rams.
What if, instead of spending big on guard Jonah Jackson, the Rams had used those resources to sign running back Saquon Barkley? Or what if they had prioritized adding a cornerback or drafting a left tackle? There’s no single right path, and any critique in hindsight is just that—hindsight.
As the Rams enter training camp, quarterback Matthew Stafford is dealing with back soreness and is listed as week-to-week after consulting with a spinal specialist. His status is uncertain, and in the meantime, the Rams are turning to Jimmy Garoppolo to lead the offense.
Leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, the Rams were viewed as a potential landing spot for a young quarterback. There was some buzz that head coach Sean McVay had interest in Jaxson Dart. With Stafford aging, drafting a quarterback with Dart’s traits—such as his arm strength and athleticism—could’ve made a lot of sense for the future.
Even though the Rams recently recommitted to Stafford with a new deal, selecting a young quarterback still would’ve been a forward-thinking move. Dart wasn’t the only intriguing option either. If the Giants had traded up for Dart, someone like Jalen Milroe—who wasn’t picked until the third round—or Tyler Shough—who had intriguing raw tools—could have been targets.
This isn’t to say the Rams made the wrong decision by passing on a quarterback. It wasn’t a particularly strong draft class at the position, and unless a team is fully sold on a prospect, using a first-round pick is a risky move. The Rams chose to trade down instead, possibly planning to target Stafford’s successor in 2026, when they’ll have two first-round picks.
Still, Stafford’s back issues in camp could have created an early development opportunity for a rookie. Having a young quarterback in the system now might have accelerated the Rams’ transition into a post-Stafford era.
For now, if Stafford misses time, Garoppolo will step in. He’s one of the more capable backups in the league, but realistically, his ceiling might not be much higher than that of a rookie quarterback. The Rams probably wouldn’t make a Super Bowl run with either option, but a rookie would at least offer long-term value.
Garoppolo keeps the Rams in the playoff hunt, and his presence wouldn’t have rushed a young quarterback into action. Still, the question remains: how valuable is a 9–8 season without Stafford? That’s the kind of middle-ground performance the Steelers have been stuck in lately.
Eventually, the Rams have to look beyond Stafford. Their decision not to start that process in 2025 shows they’re banking on the 2026 draft class—possibly with an eye on Arch Manning.
They appear committed to riding with Stafford until his body gives out, hoping the timing works out for a seamless transition in 2026. But if Stafford’s injury lingers into the regular season, this year might feel like a missed chance to get a jumpstart on their future quarterback plans.
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