Sean McVay, Rams counting on totally healthy Matthew Stafford to offset losses
PHOENIX — Sean McVay pondered many uncertainties, about himself and his team, before deciding to return for his seventh season as coach of the Rams.
But quarterback Matthew Stafford’s physical condition was apparently not among them.
McVay said Tuesday that there would be “no limitations” on Stafford when the Rams begin offseason workouts April 17.
Stafford, a 15th-year pro, played through right elbow tendinitis and came back from a concussion before suffering a season-ending spinal bruise that sidelined him for the final seven games of the Rams’ embarrassing 5-12 season.
“It’s been a long time since he’s been healthy through an offseason, where he’s been able to throw,” McVay said at the NFL owners meetings. “I was just with him the other morning where he was in there early working, being able to do the things that are in alignment with preparing for the season.”
Unlike seasons past, the Rams have lost more players than they added and did not make any star-studded moves. But they are in better salary-cap position for future.
Stafford, 35, star receiver Cooper Kupp and star defensive lineman Aaron Donald will be the pillars for a team that is not on track to be bolstered by high-profile offseason additions.
Kupp, 29, is coming off season-ending ankle surgery. Donald, 31, was sidelined the final six games last season because of an ankle injury.
The typically headline-grabbing Rams are in a major economic pullback with an eye toward 2024 and building through the draft.
So, they are counting on Stafford to carry them into playoff contention.
In 2021, the Rams sent quarterback Jared Goff, two first-round draft picks and a third-round pick to the Detroit Lions in exchange for Stafford, the top pick in the 2009 NFL draft. Stafford made the deal pay off by passing for 41 touchdowns during the regular season and leading the Rams to victory in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium.
But last spring, Stafford did not throw passes during offseason workouts and was limited during training camp, so as to not exacerbate the tendinitis in his right elbow. Stafford’s limited participation affected his ability to create a rapport with new receiver Allen Robinson among others.
Stafford passed for only 10 touchdowns in 2022 before his season ended after a sack against the New Orleans Saints.
“Last year, there was such a unique combination … of things that prevented him from being able to play the way that he’s capable of,” McVay said. “I think there’s a lot of guys on our team that will have a renewed sense of urgency and appreciation for just getting out and competing.”
Robinson might be one of those players, though he remains in a kind of limbo. The Rams are seeking to trade the player with a guaranteed salary of $10 million and an $18-million salary-cap number, according to overthecap.com.
Last season, Robinson caught only 33 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns before suffering a season-ending foot injury.
“Allen is a great person, he’s been a great player for a long time,” McVay said when asked how he would handle the situation if Robinson is on the roster when offseason workouts begin. “And so you talk to him and say, ‘This is a possibility that we’re exploring where we might move you. But if we don’t, I want you to know I’m going to pour everything I have into you as a player to try to help you reach your highest potential, make sure that it’s an enjoyable experience where you love coming into work.’
Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Florida’s Anthony Richardson, Kentucky’s Will Levis are top QB prospects in NFL draft, but where they go is a mystery.
“And so that’s exactly where we’ve left it. And so I don’t think it’s uncomfortable because those are the realities of the situation. And if he is here be excited about it. And if he’s not, wish him the best in his next stop.”
The Rams remain interested in signing free-agent receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who played for the Rams in the second half of the 2021 season. Beckham suffered a knee injury during the Super Bowl victory and did not play last season.
“Love Odell,” McVay said. “There are certain parameters that limit what we can do. But if that’s a situation that is presented to us, I know that we would be a better football team if we were able to do that.”
The Rams have 11 picks in the draft, though none in the first round.
McVay harked to 2017, his first season, when the Rams selected players such as Kupp, tight end Gerald Everett, receiver Josh Reynolds, safety John Johnson and linebacker Samson Ebukam.
Now that the Carolina Panthers have acquired the No. 1 pick from the Bears, a look at which teams might select the top four quarterbacks in the draft.
“There was a lot of guys from that draft that became foundational parts of what we did moving forward,” he said. “And then you hit on the guys that you add and acquire.
“And so that’s going to be the key thing for us, is we got to hit those spots the right way. We’ve got to be able to have a vision for the players that we are going to onboard and then let’s see how quickly they can develop.”
With Stafford the only quarterback on the roster, “in some form or fashion we have to be able to address” who will be the backup, McVay said.
The Rams could draft a quarterback for the first time since selecting Goff in 2016, sign a veteran, or do both.
“You definitely know that that’s going to be part of what we have to do moving forward,” he said. “Whether that’s somebody that has experience or not, we’ll see.”
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