3 things that will worry Rams fans (and 3 things that shouldn't)

Yes, the 2025 NFL season is finally here. And that means the Los Angeles Rams will host a formidable Houston Texans team at SoFi Stadium on September 7. But with every new year comes the usual swirl of uncertainties and unknowns that create anxiety for fans. It’s normal. It’s natural. Practice now melts into performance.

Every season presents challenges, injuries, and unpredictability. That’s the nature of competition. It’s not just players versus players, it’s players versus adversity. The annual cycle of OTAs, training camp, and preseason tests is survival of the fittest. Even the 53-man roster cutdown is just the first adversity players will face in careers full of them.

Fans cheer for the team, hope for the best, and invest vast amounts of emotional and financial support in their favorite franchise. It’s that emotional investment that creates such a unique and fulfilling season of entertainment. But the emotional toll comes at a price. Uncertainties become concerns. Concerns become fears. Right now, Rams fans have many uncertainties that are concerning. But let’s face those fears, because you may find they’re not as scary in the light as you originally thought.

3 unknowns Rams fans have nothing to fear in Week 1

3. Matthew Stafford's back

There is nothing more uncomfortable than a backache. From breathing to exertion to laughter, the back and its intricate web of muscles and connective tissue seem to be involved in everything. Right now, fans fear that training camp soreness is just one hit away from ending starting quarterback Matthew Stafford’s season. In truth, that was always the case.

What has changed is everyone’s awareness of Stafford’s vulnerability to jarring sacks. That means offensive linemen will block harder, formations will favor protection, and even the quarterback himself will take fewer risks. If you worry that he’ll be too aware of his back to play well, that all changes when he lines up under center and takes the first snap.

2. Alaric Jackson's durability

Another player who has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons is starting left tackle Alaric Jackson. He was limited to no-contact drills for most of the summer and only returned to practice at the last possible moment to suit up and compete in Week 1. But he has been the starter at left tackle for quite some time, and he knows the terrain.

Jackson shows up when he suits up. While he’s not often praised for his contributions, it’s obvious that when he’s on the field, the team has a much better chance of winning. And there’s ample depth in place should anything happen. It won’t — Jackson stayed in football-playing shape all summer.

1. Ahkello Witherspoon's knee injury

The appearance of cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon’s name on the Rams injury report worried fans — many of whom remain disappointed in the lack of activity by the front office at the position. Even if Witherspoon faces limited availability, the team has multiple healthy and effective cornerbacks on the roster, such as Darious Williams, Cobie Durant, and Emmanuel Forbes.

Head Coach Sean McVay made it a point to squelch concerns about Witherspoon’s status, assuring media and fans that the team was merely being cautious. The Rams will have varying packages to counter what they face from the Texans’ offense, and that will likely limit Witherspoon’s snap count naturally.

3 unknowns Rams fans should be concerned about

3. How effectively will Rams dispatch three running backs?

With a backfield of Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, and Jarquez Hunter, how can the team deploy all three effectively? Since this is Week 1, that may not be likely. Without the feedback of trial-and-error experimentation, the offense may stumble along the way. It’s natural and should be expected. Unfortunately, trial-and-error implies errors. When they happen, it will be difficult not to (over)react.

2. Can this offense get rookies involved quickly?

Of the five drafted rookies who remain on this team, the offense is blessed with tight end Terrance Ferguson, running back Jarquez Hunter, and wide receiver Konata Mumpfield. Fans know that cracking this offense is a tall order for a rookie, but the success of this team may depend on rookie contributors more heavily than realized. The Rams discovered a phenomenal rookie wide receiver in 2023 named Puka Nacua because he was targeted 15 times in Week 1.

While unlikely, three offensive rookies await their opportunity to contribute. The sooner, the better.

1. Is the defense as good as advertised?

There are many reasons to hope for the best out of this defense in 2025. The group is young but made rapid growth and development over the course of the 2024 season. And when it was clear that last year’s version was not strong enough in run defense, the front office emphasized those skills with nearly every new player addition.

This is not the same defense. The team took all of Kobie Turner’s strengths, amplified his run-stuffing prowess, and added his counterpart in Poona Ford. Likewise, they took Omar Speights’ strengths, added size and experience, and brought in his counterpart in Nate Landman. On paper, this is a solid defense. But until fans see that grit, the ability to stuff the run, to succeed on fourth-and-short, it’s all theory.

Fans loved the ability of this defense to fight back and attack. This is a new season. It’s a clean slate. The defense will have to wow fans one more time.

So sit back and enjoy. A new season of football has finally arrived.

And as always, thanks for reading.

More Los Angeles Rams news and analysis