NFL Insider shares insight into Matthew Stafford that will delight Rams fans

Los Angeles Rams veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford used to be synonymous with durability, endurance, and fierce competitiveness. While he remains a fierce competitor, Father Time has begun to work on Stafford's durability. It's nobody's fault. It's simply the effects of 17 years of competing in a very physical sport. Over time, Stafford has had to rehab after multiple injuries. So, can you blame the Rams for taking a slow and cautious approach to his latest malady?

The Rams are leaving nothing to chance. The team is holding Stafford out of practices, and is customizing a care plan for his rehabilitation under the advisement of Orthopaedic Back Surgeon Dr. Scott Wilkens IV. Of course, we are all trained to interpret seeing a specialist as a more serious injury. After all, most referrals to see a specialist mean something is way out of whack, or the original treatment is having no effect.

Considering the Rams have so much riding on Matthew Stafford's health in 2025, fans are naturally jumpy. But one NFL Insider is willing to infuse a calming perspective into the matter. And that insider is none other than Peter Schrager, an NFL Insider and analyst who has consistently proven to have solid insight into the Rams' events.

Peter Schrager shares his professional perspective

The Rams are fine in terms of quarterback depth. The team has re-signed veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to serve as the primary backup to Matthew Stafford, while making significant progress in Year 3 out of quarterback Stetson Bennett. And to top it all off, the team has even re-signed UFA quarterback Dresser Winn. So it's not as though the team is suddenly panicking in a scramble to fortify the depth chart.

That's the key factor here. The team has plenty of depth, and sitting Stafford now is not as much of a negative impact as the benefits of getting reps to both Garoppolo and Bennett. As to the severity of Stafford's back pain, ESPN NFL Insider/analyst Peter Schrager weighs in. He could go for clicks and views by proclaiming the sky is falling over SoFi Stadium. But he takes a different approach.

He suggests that the Rams are just being overly cautious

Okay, so why do the Rams feel it necessary to be overly protective of the starting quarterback? Well, his injury history over the past four seasons would give the first sign of caution. Stafford has had to fight through significant (but not season-ending) injuries in each of the last four seasons:

• A bruised spinal column in 2022
• An injured thumb on his throwing hand in 2023
• Rib injuries in 2024
• Back pain in 2025

With a track record like that, the Rams have many reasons to play it safe with Stafford.

Will this adversely affect Stafford's ability to connect with his receivers? Perhaps. But with talent bursting at both the tight end and running back positions this year. The team may not need to put Stafford on the hot seat to open the season.

Could Stafford suit up if need be? Probably, yes. After all, this is the same quarterback who returned to the game after dislocating his shoulder to complete a game-winning touchdown pass. But the Rams need a full season, not one play, out of him this season. It's not 'nothing,' but it's not something that shakes the team's confidence in seeing Stafford under center when the season starts.

As always, thanks so much for reading.

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