Los Angeles Rams 'Poised' to Make Super Bowl 'Leap?'
The Los Angeles Rams were one of this past season's biggest surprises, as they went from being a team that looked like they were heading into the beginning stages of a rebuild after a 5-12 year in 2022, but instead transformed back into the playoff team they were the year prior.
However, that narrative of the Rams being "underdogs" in the offseason when talking about potential Super Bowl contenders for 2024 has changed. After an impressive 10-7 season, the Rams have been named a contender to make a "major leap" presumably toward Super Bowl contention in a recent article by CBS Sports.
"General manager Les Snead has made the most of his draft picks over the last two seasons, and the Rams own six picks in the first five rounds this year (first-round pick for first time since 2016)," Jeff Karr writes.
"There's still some retooling in the secondary for the Rams, and they need to see if Carson Wentz can be salvaged in case [Matthew] Stafford goes down. If Stafford stays healthy, the Rams have a shot at the NFC West title for the first time in three years."
Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford celebrates with the Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The roster "remodeling" process that kicked off last offseason by Snead saw the Rams offload many of their stars, who were on big contracts, from their Super Bowl team to open up more cap space in the future. Instead of trading for ready-made stars like Jalen Ramsey, the Snead looked to build through the NFL Draft, which paid off as he netted impact rookies in Puka Nacua, Kobie Turner, and Byron Young.
That happened despite the Rams not having their first-round pick. However, that is set to change, as the Rams currently have the rights to their upcoming first-rounder, and if they can replicate the hit rate this April from last, they could find another piece to the puzzle.
Yet, as the article notes, Stafford's health will play a big role in how far the Rams go next season. At 36, the former No. 1 overall pick is coming off his best season since leading L.A. to a Super Bowl.
Stafford threw for 3,965 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while playing in 15 of 17 games. His only absence due to injury was the 20-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers, as he was sidelined with a thumb injury. However, that aside, Stafford was fully healthy and continued to produce for the Rams.
Finding a capable backup, whether a veteran or a rookie, who could be his successor is important. Still, the Rams' chances at winning another Super Bowl this coming season largely hinges on Stafford's availability.
