The Los Angeles Rams know a thing or two about elite running backs. You could make a compelling case that the Rams' history under HC 'Ground' Chuck Knox has given this team better insights into the running back role than any other NFL team. And the NFL annals are loaded with former Rams running backs who excelled at handling the pigskin, whether for one sensational season, or an NFL career worthy of accolades and honors.
One former Rams running back, Jerome Bettis, has the expertise and authority earned from his Hall of Fame football career to speak on the chances of NFL teams to find success in 2025. And that is exactly what he does in a recent interview.
Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis played a physical style of running with the football for 13 seasons in the NFL But long before he played 10 years in the black and gold and whipped fans into frenzies with their Terrible Towels for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bettis was running the football for the Los Angeles/St Louis Rams. Curiously, he was the Offensive Rookie of the Year and two-time Pro Bowler with the Rams.
"Maybe a cornerback away"
So, what do the Rams lack in the eyes of 'The Bus'? Curiously, not as much as you might guess. He already loves the offense, which is intriguing because the front office has seemingly taken it off in multiple new directions. And he does caution that the Rams' offensive line has to remain healthy, unlike the 2024 debacle of losing both starting offensive tackles right out of the gate.
He sees one missing link, just one hole in the dam that needs to be plugged before the season begins. That one weakness? The Rams need a defensive back.
"They have a great quarterback. They have got some really, really outstanding receivers. The running game is going to be solid. They are maybe a cornerback away, an impact secondary guy away from being really, really special.HOF RB Jerome Bettis
When you have got a really good coach and a good quarterback, you’re going to be in the conversation. So yes, the Rams will be a really good football team this year.
In their division, they (the Rams) are the favorites. I think the Niners are going to be good, but not great. The Rams definitely have an advantage on that side. I think the team they are going to have to beat is going to be the Eagles. They are going to be right back at it again. They’re built to beat the Eagles, and if they can slow down the running game, they’ve got a chance
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Can the Rams home-grow an impact defensive back? That seems to be the plan for now. If the team changes its mind, we have already done some heavy lifting and identified six free-agent defensive backs that could make a significant positive impact this season. But to do so, the team will need to act quickly.
You see, they will need to join the team in time to participate in training camp. And 31 other NFL teams are all thinking the same thing, so the race is on.
The team to beat in the NFC West
Bettis does not limit his scope of speculation merely to the Rams' chances against the Philadelphia Eagles and another rematch (or two) against Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. He understands that the Rams face challenges all season, and must fend off their NFC West Division rivals. Curiously, he singles out the San Francisco 49ers as the stiffest divisional competition.
The 49ers are healthy once more. Although they finally extended QB Brock Purdy to a fair market value extension, the team had to part ways with a half-dozen or so valuable contributors. The team will eventually compensate with contributions from new arrivals, but that will take time.
The Rams have already emerged on the other side of that transition, and continue to do so. On the offensive side of the football, the team has already opted to back young NFL star receiver Puka Nacua, and part ways with veteran All-Pro WR Cooper Kupp. That same transition may be taking place now, as the team drafted promising rookie TE Terrance Ferguson, who almost certainly is earmarked to take over for veteran TE Tyler Higbee.
On the defensive side of the football, the Rams may no longer boast All-Pro DT Aaron Donald, but the combined might of DTs Kobie Turner with Braden Fiske and OLBs Byron Young with Jared Verse are nothing to sneeze at.
Wrap it all up and it affords Jerome Bettis plenty of solid ground to stand on and assert that the Rams are the team to beat in the NFC West Division this season. After all, the Rams won the division a year ago, so Bettis is simply calling it a new Rams' tradition.
As always, thanks for reading.
