Matthew Stafford is back.
The Rams quarterback made it official Thursday night as he accepted the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award, telling his four daughters flanking him on the stage, “I can’t wait for you to cheer me on next year when we’re out there kicking ass.”
Then, Stafford turned his attention to what really matters for the Rams in 2026, adding, “Hopefully I’m not at this event and we’re getting ready for another game at SoFi.”
For three years, the Rams have been building since they followed up their Super Bowl LVI title by missing the postseason in 2022. First, a playoff appearance in 2023 with one of the youngest rosters in the NFL. The next year, the divisional round. Then the NFC championship game in 2025.
Three postseason exits, all one successful offensive drive away from Stafford leading one of his trademark fourth-quarter comebacks to advance. Now, they will try to build on that for 2026, with the Super Bowl returning to Inglewood and SoFi Stadium.
With Stafford turning 38 later this month and no clear succession path in place, the Rams have no way of knowing how long their Super Bowl contention window stays open. Which is why general manager Les Snead on Wednesday acknowledged the need for a less conservative offseason.
“I don’t know how much it weighs and how you balance each because we definitely think about there is a vision to have sustained success over time. There’s a balance there,” Snead first cautioned. “If Matthew decides to come back, I do think there’ll be an element where whether it’s 51-49, whether it’s 52-48, whether it’s 60-40, let’s definitely make the most of the time we have with Matthew because as we just discussed, the type of season he had, the type of season that he’s still showing that he can have, there are only so many of those left.”
It was as much a mission statement for the Rams’ offseason as it was a promise to Stafford that if he were to return, the franchise would do what it could to put him in the best position to win his second Super Bowl.
When it comes to Snead and an aggressive offseason, the first reaction anyone has is to pull up the old “F them picks” meme, from the era in which the Rams happily sent away first-round selections to collect win-now veterans.
And with two 2026 first-round picks available to them — No. 13 and No. 29 — the Rams could make that type of move again. Check in on a disgruntled star like Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, whose contract is easy to get out of after the 2026 season. See if cornerback Jalen Ramsey’s timeline matches that of the Steelers after flirting with the possibility of a reunion last spring.
But there’s a way to be all-in while still selecting with the two first-round picks.
Instead of planning for 2027 with those selections — like, say, taking an offensive tackle or a quarterback — the Rams could use the picks on players who would have an opportunity to play right away in 2026.
Like, say, a receiver at No. 13. It’s been reported that the Rams tried to move up in the last two drafts for pass catchers. Specifically in 2024, it was for eventual Raiders tight end Brock Bowers.
But at 13th overall, the Rams could add a dangerous option as their third receiver, a role that was never really cemented in 2025 as the Rams cycled through Tutu Atwell, Xavier Smith, Jordan Whittington and Konata Mumpfield. The Rams eventually turned to 13-personnel because it became clear their four tight ends were the best receiving options behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
But take, say, USC’s Makai Lemon at No. 13 and the Rams can return to their 11-personnel roots and have a long-term running partner for Nacua whenever Adams decides to retire.
And then maybe cap off the first round with a cornerback, someone big and physical who can match up with the A.J. Browns of the world without being shoved into the next zip code.
Beyond the picks, the Rams will have to decide how they want to utilize their cap space this offseason, currently sitting around $50 million, but that could be increased with roster cuts or renegotiated contracts with the likes of Stafford or Adams.
Some of that space is being put aside for contract extensions for the 2023 class — Nacua, OLB Byron Young, DT Kobie Turner and LG Steve Avila, to be specific. Head coach Sean McVay has already expressed a desire to have all four in the fold for the long term.
But if the Rams can hold off on one or two extensions, they might be able to add some impact players to the defense via free agency. Cornerback Alontae Taylor is available and provides the physicality the Rams need at the position and the versatility that they seek. Someone like Quay Walker or Devin Lloyd could shore up the linebacker room beyond Nate Landman and Omar Speights.
Stafford is back, the first piece toward contention for the Rams. Now, it’s up to the front office to put the right team around him.