Les Snead adds to fans anxiety by doubling down on latest Rams rumors

Will he or won't he? Of course, the 'he' referred to in this article is the Los Angeles Rams starting quarterback, Matthew Strafford. And the question calls upon the shroud of uncertainty that has descended over his future. Will he return in 2026? The matter is a very personal decision for the soon-to-be 38-year-old.

Unfortunately, every personnel decision and roster-building strategy is entirely dependent upon that decision. Head coach Sean McVay doesn't know the answer.

General manager Les Snead should have his finger on the pulse of this one. Well, if he does, he certainly isn't sharing. And when he does know, he is far too honest and forthright to dance around the topic. The team plans to welcome back its starting quarterback on the football field in 2026. But will it happen?

To casual fans, this may all appear to be a media-contrived spin to generate more interest over a non-issue. Of course, it could all work out. But let's not be so myopic that we forget how much of a struggle getting Stafford back in the Horns was last season.

It was only after laborious contract re-negotiations and an injury-marred training camp that an MVP-like season was possible. Perhaps this past season was Stafford's last hurrah?

The Rams future hangs in the balance

A 2026 NFL season without Stafford is an entirely different path than one with him, and Snead all but admitted that in his recent interview. While the resources at Snead's disposal are not so abundant that the team can address every need, it has enough riches to make some noise.

Snead can either make a significant real-time run at another Super Bowl or build the foundation for a strong run in the future.

The fork in the road as to which route LA takes comes down to whether or not Stafford returns. Should the girl-dad quarterback accept the challenge of another NFL season, Los Angeles is prepared to spare no expense to surround him with playoff-ready teammates.

Some roster moves are a slam dunk. Coach McVay has already indicated the team's intentions to extend multiple young stars. But the real meat of the offseason, the NFL free agency market and the draft, will have dramatically different strategies if the team knows Stafford will return.

And that creates drama that websites love, and fans despise. But it's not a fabrication. This is not some 'new and improved' pitch of the same laundry detergent. The starting quarterback has not committed to play next season as of this date. Until he does, the Rams rumors of facing 2026 with a new starting quarterback remain very much in play.

As always, thanks for reading.