QB questions and early extensions highlight tough decisions ahead for LA in the offseason
The Los Angeles Rams’ 2024 campaign has been nothing short of frustrating, and things might get even trickier this offseason with several important decisions looming. One of LA’s biggest question marks is whether Matthew Stafford will remain the starter in Hollywood next season.
The Athletic listed the Rams as one of 12 teams that could have a new starting quarterback in 2025. Team insider and reporter Jourdan Rodrigue floated a possibility that LA could “operate year-to-year with Stafford understanding the potential of a healthy roster with him.”
“When [Matthew Stafford’s] on, he’s on — it bears reminding that he will be 37 in February and essentially restructured his contract this summer to reflect a one-year deal with the opportunity to renegotiate after this season. The big question is, will either he or the Rams want to do that? Stafford seems to be aging in reverse, so it’s fair to think he’d still want to play football,” Rodrigue wrote on Nov. 15.
Stafford has been highly underwhelming through nine games and is currently on a six-game interception streak dating back to Week 4 against the Bears. While the likelihood of the Rams parting with the veteran QB this offseason is low, the front office retaining him on a year-to-year contract with a likely successor in waiting is the smartest option, assuming the team goes that route.
Then, the Rams must make some (easy) decisions on re-signing homegrown talent. Rodrigue also said that Puka Nacua, Steve Avila, Kobie Turner and Byron Young are all potential candidates for early extensions following the 2025 season. Again, those are the easiest and most crucial decisions the franchise must make to remain competitive in the NFC.
It’ll undoubtedly be quite an interesting and eventual offseason for the Rams. Truthfully, not much work should be done to help the roster return to contention as it did in the second half of last year. Perhaps if this season continues to be a letdown, it’ll be the kick in the pants the organization needs to return as players in the NFC playoff picture.
