Forget about Arch Manning: If the Rams can’t build a team around the QB, the QB won’t matter
The last two Rams offseasons have largely been about the future of Matthew Stafford and what L.A. plans to do to find the next quarterback to follow him when he retires. From adding an extra first round pick in the 2026 draft to rumors of a possible trade this past spring, it seems like everything has been focused on “Who is the next quarterback?” and “When will the Rams get the next quarterback?” and “What will the Rams do at quarterback when Stafford retires?”
Setting aside that Matthew Stafford may not choose to retire or leave the L.A. Rams for at least a few more years, how the Rams plan to move forward without him is not actually about who will replace him at quarterback. It’s about whether or not the Rams will have a desirable structure built AROUND the quarterback when Stafford retires.
Building out the supporting cast, especially the offensive line, is far more important to Les Snead and Sean McVay than just figuring out how to draft Arch Manning or trading for Trevor Lawrence.
No quarterback succession plan will work if the L.A. Rams have a crappy team around him!
So are the Rams setting up the 2026 and 2027 starting quarterback up for success, whether that’s Stafford, Manning, or somebody else?
We can’t be so sure about that.
Future Offensive Line
Starting offensive linemen signed by the Rams in 2026 include:
- LT A.J. Jackson (could have serious long-term health concerns)
- RG Kevin Dotson
- LG Steve Avila
- RT Rob Havenstein
- C Coleman Shelton
That’s all five. That’s pretty good, assuming that Jackson will be able to play football again and stay on the field. If not, the Rams do not have a clear plan at left tackle. D.J. Humphries is merely a stopgap and Warren McClendon has yet to prove anything.
Those questions surrounding Jackson are exacerbated by the reality that L.A.’s offensive line only gets more precarious after 2026: Havenstein is a 35-year-old free agent in 2027. Dotson, Shelton and Avila are also free agents.
Jackson is the only starting offensive lineman signed past 2026. Of the four free agents, three will be over 31. Avila might be the only player that the team prioritizes re-signing, depending on how good Dotson continues to be, but both guards will have a lot to prove in the next two years. Will the Rams want to keep Avila if he’s commanding $20 million per season, which is probably the low end of what a good starting left guard will cost in 2027?
Do the Rams think that Shelton is going to be the starting center for the next two years? Or is there a better player in line? Will Beaux Limmer ever get another shot?
The Rams opted not to draft a single offensive lineman in 2025. Will that come back to bite them in 2026 or 2027?
Is there any receiver long-term besides Puka?
Davante Adams is already pushing the envelope at age 32. If we’re looking at the 2027 season, he will turn 35 that year. But if we’re being honest, nobody thinks that Adams will be on the Rams in two years anyway.
That means that assuming that Puka Nacua is extended — a deal that could cost OVER $40 million per season — he’s basically the only receiver on the team right now that we can trust to be a starter in 2026 or 2027 and beyond.
We’ve yet to see that belief in Tutu Atwell or Jordan Whittington.
The good news is that receivers are relatively easy to acquire if you’re willing to pay a price and Snead has proven over and over again that he is willing. Still, it may be more likely that the Rams go out and acquire a number one receiver in 2026 than a QBOTF.
Other Weapons: Kyren, Ferguson
We’ve established that the Rams probably have to spend a considerable investment in the offensive line or wide receiver next year, possibly both, which could be one reason that L.A. drafted Terrence Ferguson and is trying to extend Kyren Williams:
- If the Rams extend Williams, that theoretically ends their search for a running back
- By drafting Ferguson, that theoretically pauses their search for a starting tight end
By having both of those players on the roster from now until 2028, the Rams can focus their efforts on C, T, WR, and QB. In addition, the Rams have Blake Corum and Jarquez Hunter at running back, plus Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, and Davis Allen at tight end.
If the Rams had not drafted Ferguson, or if they don’t sign Williams, it could add another layer to Snead’s plate in 2026. And as it pertains to the offense, he can’t afford any distractions.
What will the Rams do in 2026?
With two first round picks in 2026, of course it is possible, if not likely, that L.A. will draft a quarterback early. But I don’t think that they will use both picks to move up for one quarterback. He would have to be really special for that to happen and it would mean that a team is willing to move down.
Instead, the Rams would be better served using one pick on a QB and the other first round pick on an offensive tackle or a number one wide receiver. And if L.A. doesn’t see a golden opportunity for a quarterback, expect them to possibly use both first round picks on supporting cast members, if they don’t go defense instead.
Free agency would be a good place to seek a wide receiver, but the draft is a place where they’re more likely to get great value. Knowing Puka’s price tag (he’ll be eligible for an extension in 2026), it is probably the most cost efficient too.
Tackle and wide receiver. These could be more important priorities in 2026 than replacing Matthew Stafford, who we don’t know even know yet will be ready to be replaced.