Here’s a look at five key questions ahead of the Rams’ season opener against the Seahawks on Sunday in Seattle:
Is Matthew Stafford back to being Matthew Stafford?
It’s easy for a year full of injuries to obscure the immediate impact Stafford made as the Rams’ quarterback in 2021. He completed 67.2% of his passes for 4,886 yards and a career-high 41 touchdowns, not to mention helping lead the Rams to a Super Bowl.
But his body did not hold up in 2022, missing eight games and appearing to not have his typical arm strength even when he did play. Stafford says he feels as healthy as he’s been in years, and Sunday will be a chance for him to make a statement, even without his favorite target in wide receiver Cooper Kupp (hamstring).
Speaking of which…
Are the young receivers ready to step up?
With Kupp out and no timeline for his return, the Rams will have to depend on Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell and rookie Puka Nacua to pick up a lot of the slack against Seattle. But that’s been the case for much of training camp, and Stafford has been encouraged by what he’s seen from them.
“Through joint practices, practicing against our defense, we’ve had a lot of guys step up and make some great plays and [I have] total trust in everybody that’s put out there to go out there,” Stafford said. “I’m excited for those guy’s opportunities.”
Is a young secondary ready for the limelight?
The Rams lost almost every key contributor in the defensive backfield from a year ago, with Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick the only returners. Safety Jordan Fuller is back from a hamstring injury to try to return to his 2021 form, but otherwise, it’s a fresh start back there for the Rams.
While the team did add veteran Akhello Witherspoon and John Johnson III this offseason, the onus will be on young players like Durant, Kendrick, Fuller, Quentin Lake, Russ Yeast and Tre Tomlinson to grow into themselves as the season progresses. How they develop in real time will determine a lot about how the season goes, as well as how the organization feels about the direction of the defense entering the offseason.
On Sunday, the Seahawks present a particular challenge for the Rams, with veteran receivers D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett and talented rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba spread across the line of scrimmage.
“I want to see the best version of their selves,” Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris said. “I’ve seen energy, I’ve seen growth, I’ve seen development, I’ve seen maturity. … We’ve had some letdowns at times in training camp and it’s been easy to go in that room and correct those things.”
Can Cam Akers control the ground?
The fourth-year running back prepared for his contract season with a new diet aimed at gaining weight and improving his strength, and he felt like he accomplished that during training camp.
But not everything has stacked up Akers’ way as the Rams prepare for the season opener. Kupp isn’t there to steal some attention from defenses. The offensive line is still a project with which the Rams are tinkering.
So can Akers overcome those obstacles and become the impact player he has been expected to be in the past?
Which rookies are ready?
The Rams bring 14 rookies into the regular season, with several expected to contribute in big ways right from the jump, from Nacua to left guard Steve Avila to outside backer Byron Young to punter Ethan Evans. So who is ready for the spotlight? And who needs more seasoning?