Mike Sando at The Athletic assessed the future of the quarterback position for all 32 NFL teams. What did he say about the Los Angeles Rams?
Well, he put them in a category of their own: “We have a top-five QB for the short term”.
These are the major categories from his post:
- “We have a top-five QB signed long term
- “We’re happy with our established franchise QB”
- “We can win with our guy, but how good is he?”
- “Our veteran reclamation project is looking good”
- “Our opponents hope we stay the course”
- “Financially stuck, but for how long?”
On the Rams:
Signed through: 2026 | APY rank: 16 | EPA rank: 4
Stafford turns 38 in February and has had sometimes fraught contract negotiations in each of the past two offseasons, including once when the team let him explore trade opportunities. Concerns over his back issues during training camp dampened expectations entering this season, but Stafford has been available every week and is a leading MVP candidate with 25 touchdown passes and only two interceptions for the NFL’s fourth-ranked offense by EPA per play. Coaches and executives got it right when they voted him into Tier 1 for the first time in his career over the summer.
On the rest of the NFC West:
“We can win with our guy, but how good is he?”
Signed through: 2030 | APY rank: T7 | EPA rank: 11
Purdy has played in only two games since signing his contract extension in the offseason. An injury ended his rookie season as well, so long-term durability could be a concern.
“Our veteran reclamation project is looking good”
Signed through: 2027 | APY rank: 18 | EPA rank: 2
It’s looking like Seattle has found its long-term starter.
“Financially stuck, but for how long?”
Signed through: 2028 | APY rank: 12 | EPA rank: 20
Murray’s contract carries $38 million in fully guaranteed salary for 2026. Trading him would likely require the Cardinals to eat much of that salary.
Thoughts on the Rams’ future
Stafford is playing as well as any quarterback in the NFL this season. That does not change the fact that the future is in question.
At this point it’s nearly a certainty that LA’s signal caller will be back for 2026, although there is a slight possibility that Stafford hangs up his cleats should the Rams win the Super Bowl this year. In terms of roster build, it simply makes sense to keep the nucleus together for another run. However, a day is coming when ascending players across the roster ask for significant pay increases.
Fortunately for the Rams, they are equipped with two first round picks in 2026 (and one is trending towards the top 10) and the stars are aligning for them to transition to a quarterback on a rookie contract. It’s all converging to where LA can pay Puka Nacua, Kobie Turner, Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, and others while threading the needle to the next era at quarterback. While a veteran replacement is a probability, the Rams may need the luxury of affordability from a rookie in order to keep their talented core together.
For most teams it takes multiple attempts and years to solve a hole at quarterback. The Rams are uniquely in a position to seamlessly transition when the time comes.
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