LA Rams shut down QB Matthew Stafford: What does it all mean?

The LA Rams have taken the wise and conservative course in player safety The Rams have placed QB Matthew Stafford on Injured Reserve, and by doing so have defaulted at shutting him down for the rest of the season. While the correct course of action, what does it all mean for the LA Rams roster for the rest of this season, and for that matter, for the 2023 NFL season?

The LA Rams have six games remaining. Any player who is designated on Injured Reserve is by definition held out for a minimum of four weeks’ time, meaning that theoretically, QB Matthew Stafford could return to compete in the final two games of the season. But why?

Four weeks of convalescence would only give Stafford a day to be ready to face the Chargers, and then the season finale to prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks.  That makes almost no sense, particularly over the shaky status of the LA Rams offensive line this season.  So who plays at quarterback?

LA Rams offensive experimental lab is live now

Well, for now, it means that we will finally get plenty of work out of backup quarterbacks John Wolford and Bryce Perkins. And for the Week 12 game against the Seattle Seahawks, LA Rams HC Sean McVay has already named backup QB John Wolford as the starter.

This gives the creative minds who have struggled to engineer solutions to this lethargic offense, in essence giving coaches a blank slate to redesign fun and delightful new plays that not only challenge opposing defenses but can infuse robust laughter and fun among Rams players as well. We had suggested 3 crazy offensive ideas earlier in the season. Now, the Rams have every reason to give anything that sounds nuts a listen. What do the Rams have to lose now?

It’s time to break out every offensive option, weapon, formation, and crazy idea and field-test them all. That means revisiting 12-personnel packages, trial WR Ben Skowronek in the Power I-Rish formation, two running back sets, three tight end sets, and more. Who said that LA Rams football could not be fun, whimsical, and carefree once more? Winning is not the only way to engage and win over fans’ affection, respect, and appreciation. The LA Rams have six more games to showcase just how far ‘out there,’ this offense can become in testing conventional offensive boundaries.

The Rams roster still boasts quite a few players with exceptional offensive talent. And who knows? Maybe now, with the Rams no longer fearing failure, success will return when they least expect it?