2021 season is critical for LA Rams QB Matthew Stafford

Now that the NFL schedule has been released, it’s officially time to get excited about the 2021 season. The trade that brought in LA Rams‘ newly acquired veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford is the first reason for excitement. His talent and toughness are unquestioned and the Rams are incredibly excited to have him under center.

But at 33 years old, his prime could be behind him and the two first-round picks (plus a third-rounder) boot that was traded in order to attain him was admittedly steep. The Rams are betting that he has plenty of good years ahead of him. With a talented roster around him, the team believes that they are a championship contender. ESPN experts seem to agree with this latter claim.

Stafford’s record in the NFL for the Detroit Lions is 74-90-1.  He is 0-3 in the NFL Playoffs. Lastly, he has only one Pro Bowl selection in his career. However, he was the fastest quarterback to pass for over 40,000 yards and his career touchdowns (288) to interceptions (144) ratio is very impressive.  Want more?  His career total quarterback rating (QBR) is 89.9 and his 2020 season highlight reel is still impressive. But perhaps most tantalizing is his comeback record. Since 2009, he holds the record for most fourth-quarter comebacks, with 31. In the 2016 season alone, he totaled eight fourth-quarter comebacks to lead the Lions to the playoffs.

There is no definitive correct lens over how to properly assess the career of Stafford so far. The Lions couldn’t quite put it together while he was their signal-caller for the last 12 years. How much was on him? Because he’s now on a good team that’s ready to win, if he fails this year, these last 12 years of mediocrity will also be blamed on him. After all, the bar has already been set. Former quarterback Jared Goff took these Rams to 10-6 and was 1-1 in the NFL Playoffs.

Stafford, with the cost of Goff, plus three valued-draft-picks, must deliver more.

The Rams have pushed in a lot of chips on their latest wager on Stafford. Because of this, the expectations are huge.  If he fails to deliver, the Rams could be stuck in a rut for the next couple of years. Beyond that, careers may end, or at least be called into question.  As a Rams fan, you root for him to do well. As an objective fan of the league, the situation is intriguing.  Clearly, the Rams were willing to place a lot of value to acquire him.  Now, LA Rams General Manager Les Snead, and the LA Rams organization, are committed to his ability to compete at the highest level in the NFL, while performing in a new city, for new fans, for a new team.

The season starts for the Rams on September 12, 2021, when they host the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football.   This marks the first-ever football game at SoFi stadium in front of a live audience. We will get our first look at Stafford under McVay’s offense, and even though it’s four months away, I can hardly wait.