Because the conclusion of the NFL winter eases into the insanity of its spring, it’s maybe instructive to remind Los Angeles precisely the place certainly one of their native groups completed.
The Rams had been 13 yards from successful the Tremendous Bowl.
For actual. Hear up.
Within the NFC divisional spherical, trailing by six factors, the Rams drove to the Philadelphia Eagles’ 13-yard line within the remaining seconds earlier than the Eagles protection stiffened.
It was shut. It was actual shut. The Rams may have received. The Rams thought they had been going to win. And in the event that they did win?
They wouldn’t have misplaced once more.
Who may argue in opposition to them defeating a younger Washington Commanders crew the next week at SoFi Stadium? After which they actually may have stolen the Tremendous Bowl from the flailing Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
Sure, the Rams completed a mere 13 yards from a hoop, which makes just one factor extra outlandish.
The concept that they might commerce the man who put them there.
They’re not likely serious about eliminating Matthew Stafford, are they?
Les Snead, you’ve been daring and sensible and wildly profitable and … sufficient. That is too loopy even for you.
Sean McVay, you’re good and inventive and eagerly daring and … sufficient. This wouldn’t work even for you.
Don’t get it twisted, the Rams don’t wish to commerce Stafford, who’s certainly one of solely three energetic and at present employed Tremendous Bowl-champion beginning quarterbacks.
And don’t be fooled, Stafford want to stay with the Rams, who’re deep and proficient and perhaps one burner extensive receiver and a shut-down cornerback from successful a second title in 5 years.
The 2 events like one another. However they differ on the worth of that friendship, and that’s the place the seeds of divorce have been planted.
Stafford will not be among the many league’s 15 highest-paid quarterbacks. With a median annual wage of round $40 million a yr, he makes lower than the likes of Kyler Murray, Tua Tagovailoa and Deshaun Watson. Heck, he even makes lower than the man he efficiently changed, Jared Goff.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford warms up earlier than a sport in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles at SoFi Stadium in November.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Occasions)
He desires more cash. He briefly delayed his look at coaching camp final yr till the Rams adjusted his contract, however he desires extra, and it’s arduous in charge him.
The Rams, who need this factor settled earlier than a repeat of final summer time’s suspense, are prepared to offer him more cash. However how rather more? And for the way lengthy?
Stafford is 37 years outdated in a league wherein nearly each quarterback not named Tom Brady begins a steep decline of their late 30s. He’s nonetheless a protected guess for an additional yr or so, however Stafford might want extra job safety, an extended deal, and in that case, he’ll in all probability have to seek out that elsewhere.
This leaves the Rams with a alternative. Do they maintain an ageing hero who struggled on the finish of the common season however was good within the playoffs and at all times has been good within the playoffs for them? Or do they make the most of the draft-pick prizes they’ll purchase for him now earlier than he begins his inevitable slowing and change him with any individual, or perhaps even with a sure ring-bearing free agent?
Yeah, we’re speaking Aaron Rodgers.
Given the Rams’ propensity for the stunning transaction — keep in mind, that is the crew that after traded six draft picks for the suitable to draft Goff — it might be wholly unsurprising in the event that they dumped Stafford for McVay-favorite Rodgers.
It additionally can be so, so incorrect.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford spends time along with his daughters earlier than an NFC playoff sport at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
(Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Occasions)
The Rams aren’t a crew, they’re a tradition, and their constant success has relied on gamers who meld into that tradition. The selfless Stafford is the proper match. He made a star out of Cooper Kupp after which, when Kupp’s physique lastly broke down, he made a star out of Puka Nacua. Stafford constantly has labored behind an inconsistent offensive line, but he by no means complains.
He handed for however one landing, with one interception, in his remaining three regular-season video games this winter, but he starred within the playoffs — with 4 landing passes, no picks and simply 13 yards from a possible championship.
The truth is, he’s at all times starred within the playoffs, a 102.3 passer score with 19 landing passes and 6 interceptions in 10 postseason appearances.
“The coolest thing you can say about Matthew is he shines the brightest on the biggest stages,” McVay informed reporters after the season. “When you look at the seven playoff games that he’s played in since he’s been a Ram, he certainly gives you a chance every time you step out on the field and for that I’m sure appreciative.”
However how appreciative? We’ll quickly discover out.
It’s arduous to discover a quarterback like Stafford, and can be even tougher to exchange him, and don’t even begin once more with that Rodgers nonsense.
Sure, Odell Beckham Jr. was as soon as in a position to put his ego apart and match with McVay’s program, however with Rodgers we’re speaking a a lot bigger sense of entitlement.
The Rams don’t do distractions. The Rams don’t do selfishness. The Rams wouldn’t work for Rodgers.
And don’t attempt to promote your rising fan base on taking a step again with the likes of obtainable Sam Darnold or in-house possibility Jimmy Garoppolo.
The Rams have the protection to win now. They’re intent on buying the ability gamers to win now. However none of that issues with no quarterback who can win now, and so they have that, proper of their constructing, a future Corridor of Famer, and why would they provide that up?
Judging from feedback from Snead and McVay of their postseason assembly with reporters final month, something is feasible. Hearken to Rams officers sufficient and also you study to learn between the strains, and in that house there may be at all times the opportunity of shock.
Requested if he thought Stafford can be taking part in for the Rams subsequent season if he doesn’t retire, Snead stated, “He’s still a Ram.”
Requested nearly the identical query, McVay stated, “We’ll talk about all those things at the appropriate time.”
Weren’t they saying the identical types of issues simply earlier than they dumped Goff for Stafford?
“As far as my future goes … I feel like I was playing some pretty good ball,” he informed reporters after the playoff loss in Philadelphia.
Requested whether or not he had any soccer left in him, he stated, “Sure feels like it.”
Positive appears like that shouldn’t occur anyplace however right here.