Matthew Stafford will remain the starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams in 2025, but he hinted that his tenure could extend beyond that. However, at 37 years old, the Rams may need to start planning for the future, and Jaxson Dart could be a potential successor.
The former Ole Miss quarterback has been frequently linked to the Rams, who hold the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 draft.
If Dart falls in the draft, ESPN analysts Field Yates, Jordan Reid, and Matt Miller believe he would be a strong fit for Los Angeles.
“I’ve heard some teams rank him as the second-best QB on their boards, which strengthens his first-round potential,” Reid noted on March 28. “Pairing Dart with Rams coach Sean McVay and letting him develop behind Matthew Stafford for several years would be an ideal scenario.”
Yates also pointed out that Dart could start immediately for a team like the Steelers (No. 21), while the Saints (No. 9) and Rams (No. 26) might see him as a future starter.
In 2024, Dart recorded 4,279 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and six interceptions with a 69.3% completion rate.
Miller added that based on conversations with scouts, Dart’s strong predraft process makes it unlikely he falls out of the first round. “The three teams mentioned—Steelers, Saints, and Rams—are all logical fits for him,” he wrote.
Former GM Pushes Rams to Draft Jaxson Dart
Former New York Jets general manager and current ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum has repeatedly highlighted Jaxson Dart as a strong fit for the Rams, emphasizing the quarterback’s success at Ole Miss.
“Dart thrived in Lane Kiffin’s system, throwing 72 touchdown passes over three seasons,” Tannenbaum wrote on March 25. “He’s climbed draft boards recently, had an outstanding Senior Bowl, and, in my opinion, was the best thrower at the combine. With a strong lower body and impressive mobility, he has significant upside. If I were running the Rams today, I’d absolutely be looking toward the future.”
Miller, like Tannenbaum, projected the Rams to select Dart at No. 26 overall, noting that with Matthew Stafford’s return confirmed for 2025, Los Angeles must plan for life after him.
“Dart could go as high as the top 10, depending on how the draft plays out,” Miller wrote on March 27. “He’s an accurate intermediate passer with an underrated deep ball and has improved every season under Kiffin. However, coming from an RPO-heavy system, he’ll need time to adjust to the NFL game, making the Rams an ideal landing spot where he can develop behind Stafford.”
ESPN’s Field Yates also backed the Rams as a strong fit for Dart on March 21, adding to growing speculation. Meanwhile, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer mentioned the Rams as a potential destination in a March 19 report, further fueling the discussion.
Rams GM Turns Heads With QB Prospect
Rams general manager Les Snead has been actively scouting prospects on the pro day circuit, recently attending Texas’ pro day and speaking with Arch Manning. However, Manning isn’t draft-eligible until at least 2026.
Meanwhile, former Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is part of this year’s draft class and could be an intriguing developmental option for the Rams if they don’t land Jaxson Dart. Ewers has shown flashes of high-level talent but lacks consistency.
“Ewers’ arm talent is impressive, and when he finds a rhythm, he makes it look effortless,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein noted in his pre-draft analysis. “However, he struggles with full-field reads, often locking onto his target instead of adjusting to the defense. His lack of escapability means he’ll need to process the game quickly at the next level.”
With Matthew Stafford set to start in 2025, the Rams currently have Jimmy Garoppolo as the backup after re-signing him in free agency, along with 2023 fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett. If the team passes on Dart or he’s off the board, Ewers could present another long-term option to develop behind Stafford.
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