For some LA Rams players, Super Bowl LVI could be their last stand

Johnny Hekker (10 seasons)

For LA Rams punter Johnny Hekker, he has fought off competition to play with the Rams this season, the tenth of his NFL career. But punting is not for the faint of heart, nor is it kind to seasoned veterans. Much of the power in a punter’s leg is due to the power and agility that peaks in a young man before the age of 30.  Johnny Hekker will turn 32 on February 8, 2022.

Cleveland Browns punter is Dustin Colquitt and is the oldest NFL punter. He is currently 39 years.

While Colquitt has begun to sign on with various NFL teams in the past two seasons, Hekker continues to boot for the LA Rams. But time is catching up to him. Since the 2019 season, his punting average has been slowly but steadily declining.  That would be no alarm, but his contract compensates him among the best in the NFL at his position, even with a restructure at the beginning of the 2021 NFL season.

Matthew Stafford (13 seasons)

For LA Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, this is his first opportunity to compete in a Super Bowl after 13 full NFL seasons, many of which while he was among the Top-5 NFL quarterback tier. So many critics tender the ‘proof’ that an NFL quarterback chokes when he cannot win the ‘big game’. How easy it is to ignore the fact that at least 30 players’ (minimum) combined effort determines the outcome of a football game?

A quarterback is entirely dependent upon the quality of his receivers, the support of his running game, and the protection afforded by his offensive line. No quarterback operates independently. So it is less of a surprise that Stafford is competing in Super Bowl LVI with the LA Rams.