With the Los Angeles Rams on their bye week, it’s likely that head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead have been doing some self-scouting. Whether that turns into a trade or the Rams remain confident in the pieces they have will be determined at the trade deadline. Still, if the Rams started trade conversations during their mini-bye a few weeks ago, those conversations would have picked up or been revisited this week.
Through the first seven weeks of the NFL season, quarterback Matthew Stafford has been playing at an MVP level. It would be hard for the Rams not to recognize that and do what they realistically can to capitalize on that window. The Athletic recently asked all of their beat writers whether or not their teams should be buyers, sellers, or stand pat at the trade deadline. Rams beat writer Nate Atkins said,
“The Rams came into the season expecting to be contenders and are 5-2. Matthew Stafford has thrown 17 touchdown passes to just two interceptions, and the last time he was playing at this level, in 2021, the Rams famously went all-in with in-season trades for Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr. I don’t expect the same push this year, partly because the Rams will want to keep their two first-round picks to chase a quarterback of the future next spring. But I think they’ll realize the limited window they have with Stafford and could look for help at outside cornerback or on special teams.”
The big question here comes at the end and whether or not the Rams realize the limited window that they have with Stafford. Just because he’s playing well now doesn’t mean this is the level that he’ll be at in a month or even looking as far ahead as next season. That’s obviously the hope, but it’s always why they have to capitalize on his level right now.
It’s fair that the Rams wouldn’t want to trade one of their first-round picks in 2026. Those are building blocks for the future, whether that’s a quarterback or simply pieces to strengthen the roster for a potential quarterback. What’s important is that the Rams don’t get complacent and treat the last three seasons as ‘gravy’ just because they won in 2021. They can’t get complacent. If the Rams hadn’t won in 2021, would they be ok just sitting back and not doing anything?
Again, that’s not to say that they need to mortgage the future. Still, the correct mindset likely isn’t seeing the return of Ahkello Witherspoon and impact rookies such as Terrance Ferguson getting more involved as in-season additions. Those will certainly be boosts to the current roster, but is it enough to get over the top?
As Atkins said in his bye week mailbag,
“The scheme that Chris Shula runs with three rotating safeties creates a friendlier environment for outside cornerbacks, and a run defense creating obvious passing downs for a wicked pass rush adds to that…Roger McCreary is on a Tennessee Titans squad that has already fired its coach and isn’t playing for much…He can play inside and outside…Cam Taylor-Britt is on a Cincinnati Bengals team that’s still trying to win after trading for Joe Flacco, while hoping Joe Burrow can return later this season. Even at his best, Taylor-Britt is a boom-or-bust player…He offers some man and zone versatility.”
A player like Taylor-Britt would make a lot of sense and he isn’t someone that would break the bank. He would provide size and play-making ability across from Witherspoon when he returns, which the Rams need. Staying on the Bengals, linebacker Logan Wilson has requested a trade. A player like Chidobe Awuzie on the Baltimore Ravens could make sense as well and there has been some uncertainty when it comes to the future of Trevon Diggs on the Dallas Cowboys. If the Rams are wanting to add to their offensive line depth, Jackson Powers-Johnson has fallen out of favor with the Las Vegas Raiders.
While there may be a lot of theoretical options, it has to be a move that makes sense. It also takes two teams to make a trade. The Rams don’t want to overreact and disrupt their current team chemistry. At the same time, it’s important to capitalize on this window that they have.
The Rams have had a lot of time over the last month to determine whether or not making a trade is the right move for them. Coming out of their bye week on Monday, they will have a little over a week to determine whether or not making a trade is the right thing to do and if they should be buyers.
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