Turf Show Times
It feels odd to be consistently discussing the Los Angeles Rams’ quarterback situation post-Matthew Stafford during a season in which the team sits at 4-2. Matthew Stafford has also had an incredible start to the year, playing at an MVP level. Had the Rams gotten off to a similar start as they did in 2023 and 2024, it would make more sense, but this is a team that sits among the top contenders in the NFL. With that said, it also goes to show just how important that decision is for the Rams.
We’re going to attempt to walk and chew gum at the same time here. We can enjoy the ride and appreciate what Stafford is currently doing in his twilight years while also looking ahead to the future and what the potential options might be.
Over the past five years, there has been a rise in late-breakout quarterbacks in the NFL. In a society in which we want instant gratification, patience has proven to be important when it comes to young quarterbacks. Geno Smith went from being a bust to a borderline top-10 quarterback with the Seattle Seahawks. Baker Mayfield was cast aside by the Cleveland Browns and is playing at an MVP level with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sam Darnold turned his career around last season with the Minnesota Vikings while Daniel Jones is doing the same this year with the Indianapolis Colts. In a sense, Jared Goff is part of that career trajectory, playing some of his best football the last two years with the Detroit Lions.
On Monday, the Tennessee Titans fired Brian Callahan after drafting Cam Ward back in April. Given how Darnold has looked again in 2025 and the resurgence of Daniel Jones, it’s a reminder that organizations tend to fail quarterbacks more than quarterbacks fail organizations. Coaching and situation matter and too often organizations don’t provide that infrastructure for a young quarterback. No matter what the Rams do at the quarterback position, there should be confidence that the player will have the benefit of entering a great organization.
With the Rams having two first round picks in the 2026 draft class, a lot of focus has been on which rookies that the team could have interest in and who would be the best fit. At the same time, given how the 2026 quarterback class has performed, the Rams also don’t have to address the position in the draft. It’s very possible that the Rams sign or trade for an experienced quarterback. Some believe that this would actually be head coach Sean McVay’s preferred method as to not have to go through the development phase.
A common theme of all the quarterbacks listed above was that they were failed top picks, spent some time as a backup, and then got an opportunity with an organization that had a better support system. Outside of Geno Smith, all of those quarterbacks were in their age-27 or 28 season. Additionally, they all had 30 or more...
