Matthew Stafford: Out as a Lion, in as a Ram

The moment is now

We discussed the urgency of the Rams’ need to ‘win now’ in a recent article about how the Rams owe Aaron Donald a Super Bowl. In that article, we pulled back the layers behind one emotional moment for Donald after the Rams lost to the Green Bay Packers. In that piece, we focus on the emotions that swept up Donald. In one moment after the NFL Playoffs Divisional Round was decided, the reality of asking whether the Rams would ever be good enough entered Donald’s mind. We simply put that moment into words.

Somehow, the LA Rams heeded our warning. They ‘get it’, time is running out on this team. For as much as you may feel the Rams overpaid for a veteran quarterback, one thing is absolutely certain. The Rams will not cower down and await the opportunity to win it all pass them by. The Rams will roll the dice. They will play the slots with the maximum wager. The Rams will not go down without a fight.

Let’s not overthink this. Let’s not soil the welcome mat for Matthew Stafford by mudslinging at Jared Goff in the process. This is about winning now. And for that timeline, the Rams believe that a veteran Matthew Stafford has a better chance of doing so.  The Rams have Pro Bowl defensive lineman Aaron Donald, and Pro Bowl defensive back, Jalen Ramsey.

The Rams feel that they have found their feature running back in Cam Akers. And they can be content in their ability to reinforce the offense with WR Van Jefferson, TE Brycen Hopkins, OL Tremayne Anchrum, and RB Xavier Jones.  For a deep threat? The Rams have WR Trishton Jackson, who ran a 4.5-second 40-yard dash.

The Rams 2021 NFL Draft is up to six critical picks. For the most part, the Rams should focus on the defensive side of the ball. But the Rams have dodged a major bullet. The offense is back ‘on track’ for the moment, and can score more points in 2021 with cleaner execution of the existing roster.  For now, we have both feet on the ground.  Stafford was a bold move, but one that still contains risks.

But that’s the thing. Risks come with the territory. Doing nothing had risks as well. The LA Rams had to make this move. Matthew Stafford, like the month of March, is out like a Lion but is now in as a Ram. For the sake of the Rams veteran players, here’s hoping that means a Super Bowl is in the team’s immediate future.