It’s a straightforward route to see Matthew Stafford start for the Los Angeles Rams against the Seattle Seahawks in two weeks: the seasoned quarterback is deemed well enough to start and returns in Week 11 to the field after missing just 1.5 games due to a thumb injury. But the route to Stafford never suiting up for the Rams again is equally simple.
Maybe Sean McVay doesn’t bring Stafford back this year if the Los Angeles Rams feel, as they did in the second part of the last campaign, that they have nothing to play for. Perhaps he doesn’t return the following year either.
The Rams, who started Sunday with Brett Rypien in the lineup, lost 20-3 to the Green Bay Packers, and now sit at 3-6 after eight games. Instead of the club that surprised everyone by defeating the Seahawks 30–13 in Week 1, this team looks more like the one that many predicted would struggle heading into the season.
While it is true that the Rams did not start Stafford, right tackle Rob Havenstein, or linebacker Ernest Jones in Week 9, does that really help the situation in Los Angeles now or for the franchise going forward?
The Rams’ record will remain 3-6.
Even so, the Rams’ chances of qualifying for the postseason will be slim.
The Rams still have games scheduled with the 49ers, Browns, Seahawks, Saints, and Ravens. All five of those teams would be in the playoffs if the season ended tonight. To have a chance at a winning record, Los Angeles would not only need to win two of the five games, but they would also need to sweep the Giants, Cardinals, and Commanders.
Would the Rams be able to win six of their last eight games to secure a winning record even if Stafford is able to play for the remainder of the season?
With Stafford, the team’s record this season was just 3-5. With him back, would they really have gone 6-2 in the previous eight games?
We are all aware that the Rams’ problems as a 3-6 team extend well beyond the quarterback situation. Many people didn’t think Stafford would help Los Angeles choose in the top 10 of the 2024 draft. He was, if anything, one of the few causes for optimism. The defense was assembled using undrafted free agents and third-round selections. The only two players on the team that were selected in the first round are Stafford and Aaron Donald. The number of important players who were in their first or second year of league play was the factor. And it was the likelihood that, just as injuries contributed to Los Angeles’ collapse in the previous campaign, they may do so once more.
There’s no getting around the fact that injuries have plagued the opening nine games. Cooper Kupp missed four games, and this most recent defeat was missed by Stafford, Rob Havenstein, and Ernest Jones. Kyren Williams is not back yet. Puka Nacua appears to be a title that will be awarded once a week. Neither the first nor the last offensive lineman to miss a game has been witnessed.
Undoubtedly, injuries will most likely be a concern in the final eight.
What will Matthew Stafford’s return be used for following the bye week?
Without contesting the question’s necessity, let’s try to respond to it. For the simple reason that Los Angeles must act in the best interests of the city beyond 2023, it is imperative that this question be answered.
Recalling Matthew Stafford at a 3–6 mark is justified by the fact that, despite the rarity, teams have recovered from such setbacks to end the season with a winning record. Once more, that is extremely uncommon.
Stafford’s selection over Brett Rypien or Dresser Winn suggests that the Rams are making an effort to convince supporters and the remaining players that they are not tanking for the best draft pick. Whether or whether attempting to win games is beneficial.
Whether you agree or believe that they should want to win as many games as they can in 2023, L.A.’s desire to win now would be evident if they started Stafford against the Seahawks.
Additionally, it would free up receivers like Kupp and Nacua to contribute rather than forcing them to run routes aimlessly with backup quarterbacks. With Rypien on Sunday, Kupp had two catches for 48 yards, Nacua had three for 32 yards, and Tutu Atwell had four for 13 yards (each with seven targets).
The Rams bring back Stafford if McVay hopes to have a shot at anything like an offense in the remaining eight games.
There are others who will contend that the Rams’ sole responsibility is
Whether you agree or believe that they should want to win as many games as they can in 2023, L.A.’s desire to win now would be evident if they started Stafford against the Seahawks.
Additionally, it would free up receivers like Kupp and Nacua to contribute rather than forcing them to run routes aimlessly with backup quarterbacks. With Rypien on Sunday, Kupp had two catches for 48 yards, Nacua had three for 32 yards, and Tutu Atwell had four for 13 yards (each with seven targets).
The Rams bring back Stafford if McVay hopes to have a shot at anything like an offense in the remaining eight games.
There are others who will contend that the Rams’ sole responsibility is
