Matthew Stafford has been everything the Los Angeles Rams could’ve hoped for when they traded for him in 2021, and then some. He won them a Super Bowl in his first season, took them to the playoffs in the last two years and is playing some of the best football of his career in L.A.
As great as he’s been for the Rams, it’s possible the two sides will be headed for a split this offseason. If they can’t agree to terms on a new contract, Los Angeles may have to move on.
With all the uncertainty surrounding Stafford’s future, it’s hard not to think back to comments general manager Les Snead made in November. While filling in for Sean McVay on the “Coach McVay Show” three months ago, Snead floated the idea of having a mobile quarterback leading the offense for the Rams.
J.B. Long was discussing the benefits of teams having a quarterback on a rookie deal, and Snead brought up how a mobile quarterback can be a game-changer.
“If you can put your salary cap hat on because for the last generation of football, we’ve talked about how the cheat code of the salary cap is having a quarterback who can win you a title on a rookie contract,” Long said. “When I think about the rest of this year and moving forward for the Rams…”
That’s when Snead interrupted Long and, unprompted, talked about a mobile quarterback being a “cheat code” for the Rams.
“Our cheat code could be a quarterback that could become a sixth eligible and extend plays,” he said. “Defenses are designed to cover this thing for 3 seconds, next thing you know, they’re at 6 seconds going, ‘Oh jeez.’”
If he had to pick a quarterback on a rookie deal or a mobile passer, Snead is taking the latter option.
“Both of them work. I would take No. 2 over 1,” he said.
That sure is interesting, huh? At the time, Snead’s comments were notable, but the assumption was that Stafford would remain the Rams’ quarterback in 2025 – assuming he didn’t retire.
But now with Stafford potentially being traded, Snead’s apparent love for mobile quarterbacks adds a fascinating layer to this situation. Is it an indication that the Rams are ready to move on from Stafford and bring in an athletic quarterback who can have a major impact on the run game?
Sean McVay seems to love backup quarterbacks who are mobile. Blake Bortles, John Wolford, Bryce Perkins, Carson Wentz. Even Stetson Bennett is considered mobile and athletic.
There’s no doubt Stafford gives the Rams the best chance to win a Super Bowl next season and in 2026, but long-term, it’s possible Snead and McVay want someone who can use his legs a little bit more.
We’ve watched the spectacular plays made by Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray, Jayden Daniels and other athletic quarterbacks in recent years and it seems teams are skewing more toward mobile guys instead of traditional pocket passers like Stafford and Jared Goff.
Maybe the Rams want to hop on that trend and find a franchise quarterback who can move, extend plays, pick up first downs and be a threat to run it in the red zone. Snead is the primary decision-maker when it comes to building the Rams’ roster so the fact that these comments are coming from him is particularly intriguing.