What’s subsequent for Rams after NFC Championship loss to Seahawks?

The Los Angeles Rams‘ season got here to an finish Sunday in a 31-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks within the NFC Championship Sport, placing an unsatisfying finish to what was in any other case an impressive season. After hardly working towards forward of the season amid again points, Matthew Stafford performed at an MVP degree, main the highest-scoring offense within the NFL. The protection, led by rising star coordinator Chris Shula had a deep, proficient cross rush and compelled 26 turnovers, fifth-most within the NFL.

It wasn’t fairly sufficient. The Rams’ linebackers and secondary, a mixture of low-cost veteran acquisitions and in-house growth initiatives, struggled in Seattle, a particular groups blunder proved pricey, and the offense got here up simply quick within the crimson zone late.

The Rams the Tremendous Bowl in Stafford’s first season in Los Angeles, the dream pairing between him and Sean McVay working wonders. After a down 2022, they have been within the playoffs every of the final three seasons, they usually’ve been desperately shut in all three season-ending losses. The Stafford-McVay mixture stays excellent, particularly with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams on the skin and one of many league’s high operating video games as well.

Nonetheless, McVay acknowledged that simply because the Rams have gotten one step nearer every of the final three seasons does not imply one other Tremendous Bowl journey is subsequent. As with each offseason for each crew, there are main questions, and the Rams have a number of the greatest ones. This is what’s forward for Los Angeles.

Will Matthew Stafford return?

Stafford turns 38 in two weeks. He may ring it in with an MVP trophy, and it might be well-deserved. He led the NFL in passing yards (4,707), passing touchdowns (46) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (46-8). It was the most effective season of his profession from a statistical standpoint, and he confirmed he nonetheless has the absurd arm expertise to make jaw-dropping throws everywhere in the area. Within the NFC Championship Sport loss, he threw for 374 yards and three touchdowns, took only one sack and didn’t have a turnover in opposition to arguably the NFL’s greatest protection, on the highway.

There is not any doubt he can nonetheless play. The query is whether or not he will.

Stafford has mulled his future earlier than, together with final yr, when he returned to the Rams solely after getting a revised contract. He was mum on his future Sunday after the sport.

If Stafford doesn’t return, the Rams’ outlook is totally completely different, one which’s onerous to even fathom at this second. If he does return, it is “Tremendous Bowl or bust” as soon as once more.

Will Chris Shula return?

Shula has been in a handful of head teaching interviews, together with two groups which might be nonetheless looking out: the Las Vegas Raiders and the Arizona Cardinals.

Shula, 39, confirmed a deep, versatile defensive strategy this season. He is the grandson of legendary former Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula, the son of former Cincinnati Bengals coach Dave Shula and the nephew of longtime offensive coordinator (and former Alabama coach) Mike Shula. The McVay teaching tree has borne loads of fruit, and Shula might be subsequent in line.

If he’s, McVay has a giant name to make. Is it an inner promotion? What about Raheem Morris, who has expertise on either side of the ball and as a head coach and was the Rams’ defensive coordinator from 2021-23? Talking of that protection …

It is time to inject the secondary with expertise

The Rams have invested closely (monetarily) within the offense, they usually’ve invested closely (draft-wise) within the line of defense. It is time to unfold a few of that funding to the secondary.

Los Angeles pieced collectively its cornerback room with journeymen or castoffs comparable to Darious Williams, Emmanuel Forbes and Roger McCreary in addition to latest homegrown merchandise Cobie Durant and Josh Wallace. It was one of many least expensive cornerback models within the NFL, and it was on the most cost effective protection within the NFL.

The Rams want to alter that. Los Angeles may have ample cap house to make a splash in free company and in addition has a number of first-round picks. The Rams struggled in opposition to top-flight extensive receivers — Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s 10-catch, 153-yard, one-touchdown NFC Championship Sport was emblematic of a year-long subject — and are due for vital personnel turnover on the place with a number of free brokers upcoming.

It is previous time to repair the particular groups

Xavier Smith’s muffed punt was the one turnover of the NFC Championship Sport, and the Seahawks scored a landing on the very subsequent play. In a sport determined by one possession, that flip of occasions loomed massive. Within the wild card win over the Carolina Panthers, the Rams had a punt blocked. Within the Week 16 loss to the Seahawks — a sport by which a win would have put them within the driver’s seat for the NFC’s No. 1 seed — the Rams allowed a punt return landing and missed a late go-ahead area objective try.

This has been an issue for a lot too lengthy. The Rams completed thirty first in particular groups anticipated factors added this season. They had been twenty fourth final yr and useless final the yr earlier than.

If Stafford is again and McVay desires to earnestly give him his greatest shot to win one other Tremendous Bowl, fixing the particular groups is a should.

Notable Rams free brokers, cap house, draft picks

Many of the Rams’ core stays below contract for 2026, however there are some notable names set to hit free company, together with …

McCreary, Curl and Durant would doubtless be the highest priorities for the Rams to maintain; Curl specifically had a really sturdy season.

The Rams are in line to have over $30 million in efficient cap house, per Over The Cap. That’s the ninth-largest determine within the league.

It is value noting, nevertheless, that Nacua, Kobie Turner, Byron Younger and Steve Avila are all due for extensions. All 4 had been a part of the unimaginable 2023 draft class that breathed life into what was an ageing, top-heavy roster on the time. Nacua might very nicely turn into the top-paid extensive receiver within the NFL, and Turner, Younger and Avila have been excellent within the trenches. Proper sort out Warren McClendon additionally emerged from that draft class, for what it is value.

Talking of essential draft lessons, the Rams have one other one upcoming. Los Angeles owns the thirteenth decide from the Atlanta Falcons because of final yr’s draft-night commerce and its personal first-round decide (twenty ninth general). Les Snead has the possibility to hit one other draft house run, particularly contemplating he at present has extra first-round picks in 2026 (two) than he made out of 2017-25 (one).

Cornerback, security and probably linebacker shall be high of thoughts. Offensive line and extensive receiver might think about, too. Perhaps a Stafford succession plan performs a task. Regardless, Snead has the possibility to make vital upgrades to his roster and, if Stafford is again, have them instantly slot into massive roles for a title contender.