10 storylines entering Rams 2025 season

Lots of questions left to be answered

The Los Angeles Rams are still two and a half months away from playing their first regular season game. The team has yet to even begin training camp which starts July 22nd at Loyola Marymount University. Yet, there are already a number of burning questions inside every Rams fans mind. I accumulated a list of 10 key storylines surrounding the Rams as they enter year nine with Sean McVay…

10. Will Les Snead make any more trades this year? And if so, for whom?

Most fans will petition for Jalen Ramsey. But the cost for acquiring a player who is not the same player he was in his prime (2017 – 2021) cannot be ignored. The cornerback has not earned an all pro nomination since 2020 and 2021 with the Rams.

I don’t think acquiring Ramsey is off the table. I think if MIA eats a lot of salary then the Rams might be willing to negotiate. As for another target, I think we could see Les Snead target an offensive lineman or a linebacker. Snead has had recent success with acquiring offensive linemen; adding Austin Corbett (2019) and Kevin Dotson (2023). Devin Lloyd with the Jacksonville Jaguars is an interesting candidate if LA wants to add talent to its linebacking corps.

9. Will the Atlanta Falcons 2025 season help the Rams land a new franchise quarterback next year?

Michael Penix will be entering his second year with Atlanta and will be surrounded by promising talent in Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts. The NFC South is probably the weakest division in the NFL (maybe the AFC South would like a word). Tampa Bay won the division last year but its not a juggernaut by any means. The Carolina Panthers will be hoping that Bryce Young can make a significant jump in year three. My guess is that Atlanta finishes around .500.

8. Does Davante Adams actually have more left in the tank?

I think the simplest answer is: Yes. Usually, wide receivers over 30 drop off but Adams still produced last year despite playing for the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets (two teams that struggled offensively). Adams should thrive in McVay’s offense.

7. Will the Rams regret letting Cooper Kupp go?

If Adams produces and stays healthy, the Rams will not think twice about their decision. An underrated ramification will be Kupp’s locker room presence with other players. He was a “first to arrive, last to leave” type player. He will be missed by Rams fans this year who consider him a pillar of the franchise.

6. Can Jared Verse become Defensive Player of the Year in his second year?

Jared Verse was actually asked if he would rather have 4 Defensive Player of the Year awards or a Super Bowl ring. He originally said SB but changed his answer to the 4x DPOY awards.

I don’t think Verse will win the award in year two, but he will be a candidate. I think year three could be when he hoists the award during the NFL Awards Show.

5. Are other teams underrated threats to the Rams in the NFC West?

The Arizona Cardinals seem like the threat at this time. The Cardinals made things very close in Week 17 last year until Akhello Witherspoon made a game-changing play as the Rams defense was backed up in their own endzone. Murray will have his best set of weapons of his career in 2025 with Marvin Harrison Jr (Year 2), Michael Wilson (Year 3), and Trey McBride (Year 4). But the Rams young defense may be able to counter a mediocre offensive line. The Seattle Seahawks made changes at quarterback and while they are always in the fight, I don’t foresee them winning the division.

4. Can Stafford take the Rams all the way…again?

Stafford has proven that he is clutch and can win in the late months. Since joining the Rams, Stafford has been nearly unbeatable in December and January (not to mention February).

3. Will Alaric Jackson return this year or miss it altogether because of blood clots?

I think it’s safe to assume that Alaric will be out through the bye week. I just don’t envision the Rams putting him in harms way. With this being the second time in four years that he has dealt with the issue, I expect him to miss the majority of the year honestly. The team signing DJ Humphries and David Quessenberry might have indicated that they expect him to be out indefinitely too.

2. Is Sean McVay planning to use more 12 personnel?

I think Rams fans will believe it when they see it more. I don’t expect 12 personnel to be used the majority of the time but I think McVay finds a way to balance the offense more between 11 and 12 personnel. I envision a 65:35 split between 11 and 12 groupings.

1. Have the Rams developed enough to become the best team in NFC? A Super Bowl team?

The other NFC favorites are the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Washington Commanders. Philadelphia certainly poses the most unique challenge to Los Angeles because of their run-heavy style. However, I think the Rams saw their internal weakness and addressed that this offseason by adding Poona Ford, Ty Hamilton, Nate Landman, and Chris “Pooh” Paul to the front seven [rotation]. Kobie Turner even stated that the sky is limit if they defense can prevent big plays allowed in the run game. I think the Detroit Lions missed their window of opportunity. They will still be a tough fight but the loss of Ben Johnson will hurt. Green Bay could make a run with Jordan Love. But Los Angeles has a more balanced roster then the other teams outside of Philadelphia. I think they will at least make it to the NFC Championship game, if not further.

It may be early but these storylines are not going away any time soon! We’ll be sure to revisit them in a few months from now!