Prior to the Los Angeles Rams playing the Detroit Lions in the NFC Wild Card game in January, I wrote that a playoff win for that version of the team didn’t matter. The overall thought was that the Rams were ahead of schedule. Heading into 2023, it was a re-building year. That was a reason why the Rams cleared as much cap space as they did. That was all done for this moment.
As I wrote then,
“The Rams are at the table, but how many chips do they really have in the middle?...The Rams said themselves that they were “remodeling”. They tore out the kitchen sink and master bathroom and replaced them with things that they could get by with in the short-term so that they could build it back even better when their resources were replenished.”
Of course a playoff win would have been huge and the Rams almost did it. They were within one point and one holding call away from potentially stealing a win on the road against a very hot Lions team. However, much of what I said at the time still holds true. A win in the overall context of things didn’t matter. It didn’t affect the long-term goal. This isn’t to say that the Rams were just happy to be there, but they were playing with house money.
That’s not necessarily the case anymore. Everything that was done last year was for this moment. General manager Les Snead cleared the salary cap so that the Rams could invest and make a final push with Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp in 2024 and 2025. Last year, the Rams ranked 32nd in cash spending at $185M. While they only rank 30th heading into this season, that number is much higher at $219M.
There’s a case to be made that the Rams are still quietly re-tooling or actively rebuilding. However, much of the lack of cash spending is due to the amount of youth on the roster. Instead of paying marquee veterans such as Jalen Ramsey and Leonard Floyd, the Rams have players on rookie contracts such as Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, Puka Nacua, Jared Verse, and others.
However, the window to win is now. The Rams spent in the offseason, bringing in players like Jonah Jackson and Kam Curl. They re-signed Kevin Dotson as well as added experience to their secondary with the signings of Tre White and Darious Williams. Last year, the Rams didn’t bring in their first free agent until June. This year, with an abundance of cap space, they were active. That alone should tell you how this Rams team views itself.
That doesn’t mention that for the first time in the McVay era, the Rams drafted in the first round. With that selection, the Rams took a well-polished prospect in edge rusher Jared Verse who could come in and make an immediate impact.
While they may be taking it year by year when it comes to Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp, this is a team that views itself as a contender. The window is still at least the 2024 and 2025 season. That’s a reason why the Rams structured contracts in the way that they did this offseason. These are two or three year deals with an out after year one or two.
Entering the 2023 season, the Rams were seen as a team that was tanking. That was never going to be the case with Sean McVay as the head coach. It may have been a remodeling year, but it was never going to be a team that wasn’t trying to win.
The Rams have an opportunity on Sunday Night Football against the Detroit Lions. It can be argued that this is the most important home opener for the Lions in the past 30 years. This is a team coming off of a trip to the NFC Championship game that arguably should have made the Super Bowl. It’s a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
That’s what makes Sunday’s game such a big opportunity for the Rams. It’s not just the chance to play spoiler or even about the trade between the two teams after 2020. This is a chance for the Rams to build on what they put together last year. Last year and this past offseason was about building the foundation for the next two seasons. Sunday’s game against the Lions is about proving that this Rams team is ready to take the next step and be seen as a serious contender in the NFC. Said McVay on Monday,
“I know this is a different sense of urgency, in a good way. You want it to be uplifting and elevating, but it’s real now. That’s what you do this for. That’s what we’re excited about. I love this. These challenges and the opportunity that we have to go against a great football team on Sunday Night Football.”
Despite making the postseason in a year in which nobody expected them to be there, this year feels different. While the Rams are getting some credit by the media, they still seem to be getting overlooked to an extent.
Unlike last year, a win against the Lions this time around would go a long way. It may only be the first game of the season, but this game does matter. With a young team, winning early would build confidence and might be what they need to hit the ground running.
The Rams have only ever lost one Week 1 opener with Sean McVay as the head coach. Last year, they came out with a statement win, defeating the Seattle Seahawks on the road 30-13. On Sunday night, the Rams will have the chance to put a dampener on the beginning of the Lions season and show that they are a team to be messed with in 2024.
