Rival scout expects Sean McVay to get creative with Stafford and his duo of excellent receivers.
At one point early in the NFL’s offseason, there was speculation that the Los Angeles Rams were ready to part ways with veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. After four seasons with the Rams, Stafford was given permission to talk with other teams in February — the same month Stafford turned 37. Stafford met with the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants, but ultimately signed a restructured new deal with the Rams.
Stafford passed for 3,762 yards with 20 touchdown passes and eight interceptions last season as the Rams finished 10-7, first in the NFC North, before taking the Philadelphia Eagles down to the wire in an NFC divisional playoff loss.
Entering his 16th NFL season, Stafford ranks 10th all-time in passing yards and touchdowns, and he’s poised to continue climbing those charts. More importantly, with a talented young defense and new weapons on offense, Stafford and the Rams are in good position to make a Super Bowl run.
“Honestly, not seeing decline from Matthew Stafford,” one rival scout told Athlon Sports. “He can still sling the rock. Yes, Sean McVay and Les Snead need to start planning ahead. But extending his deal was the right move. It’s a have and have-not league at quarterback, and they have one.”
Those comments were made as part of the exclusive Rams scouting report in the Athlon Sports 2025 NFL Preview magazine, available online and at newsstands now.
The Rams did see a decline in wide receiver Cooper Kupp, and they let the Super Bowl LVI MVP leave via free agency. They replaced Kupp with another veteran star, Davante Adams, and the expectation is that Adams and third-year pro Puka Nacua could be one of the league’s best wide receiver duos. After a breathtaking rookie season, Nacua led the Rams last season with 79 catches for 990 yards. Adams, who split time with the Raiders and New York Jets last season, has 59 touchdown receptions in the last five years. He’s had at least 997 receiving yards in seven straight seasons — with more than 1,300 yards four times.
“There’s a lot of cool plays McVay can dial up with Davante Adams in the huddle to go with Puka Nacua,” the scout said. “There aren’t a lot of dudes who can compete for the football the way they can and freeze DBs with their footwork.”
