4 most foolish things Sean McVay and Les Snead have done with LA Rams

The annual April Fool's Day games of trying to pass off lies as truths are a bit tiring, as many of the news stories today follow the same track. But for fans of the Los Angeles Rams, the anniversary is an occasion to recall the gaffes, mistakes, and failed attempts to improve the team. Lessons are learned in failures, so what has Los Angeles learned over the years?

There are plenty of lessons to discuss, and that is typical of even the most successful of NFL franchises. But one thing fans have to appreciate is the willingness of the powers that be to learn the hard and expensive lessons. No matter how devastating the error proved to be, the team rose above the matter in the second go-round.

So what lessons have the team learned from their costly trek to the top tier of NFL discussions? Ultimately, it was those mistakes along the way that created the stepping stones for LA to achieve a quick restocking of the roster. The team has not been a consistent contender. But at each wane in talent and prospects, Los Angeles roared back to contention.

How did Les Snead and Sean McVay do it? Well, here are four lessons that the duo learned the hard way, but continue to benefit from.

4 most foolish things Sean McVay and Les Snead have done with LA Rams

4. Drafting for need rather than best player available

In 2022, the LA Rams had one of the worst draft pick ammunition for the draft. The first selection for the LA Rams in that draft started at the 104th overall pick. Worse still, the team needed to add a young replacement for interior offensive lineman David Edwards. The team selected Logan Bruss, a rookie prospect who never delivered due to a devastating injury and an inability to recover.

It was an expensive lesson, but one that continues to pay dividends. From that moment, general manager Les Snead has proven to have a fine eye for NFL talent anywhere in the draft. We'll circle back to this draft soon

3. Free agents who play for the bag are merely rentals

You cannot fault Les Snead for failing to pair up legendary defensive tackle Aaron Donald with elite pass rushers. Since 2017, Snead has added Robert Quinn, Ndamukong Suh, Dante Fowler Jr., Leonard Floyd, and Von Miller. Through it all, pass rushers got a huge boost to their individual stats and then signed elsewhere for huge paydays.

It's no wonder Donald asked Snead to add players who care.

That has been a turning point for this team. Los Angeles had some of the most productive rookies added in the 2023 and 2024 NFL Drafts, using that mantra as their compass.

2. Signing big name free agents in 2022 who were not a fit

After the Los Angeles Rams won Super Bowl LVI, the team had money to spend. LA added linebacker Bobby Wagner, wide receiver Allen Robinson, and punter Riley Dixon. The problem? None were fits, and the team plummeted to a record of 6-11. That was a harsh dose of reality to a fanbase that was left with an empty feeling after winning the Super Bowl.

Injuries happen. This was more about a team that failed to look beyond the 2021 NFL season.

1. Cutting huge checks to Super Bowl LIII contributors

Leading up to and after competing in Super Bowl LIII, Snead was more than happy to extend offensive contributors wide receiver Brandin Cooks, running back Todd Gurley, and quarterback Jared Goff. But cutting huge checks without protective clauses proved to be the team's Kryptonite in 2019.

The team had to wiggle frantically to get out from under that financial burden. Gurley was outright released, Cooks and Goff were ultimately traded. But the painful lesson learned has sharpened Snead's discernment.

Failing builds winners. The simple act of getting back up is a life lesson that carries numerous benefits. And with the team knocking on the door of greatness once more, you can bet that conversations touch base on some or all of these lessons daily.

As always, thanks for reading.