LA Rams likely targeting 2024 NFL Draft for next starting QB

Rams front office had seen enough

From 2017 through 2021, the LA Rams front office continued to shovel roster coal to fuel the LA Rams engine. As players fell to injury, GM Les Snead seemed to find ideal replacements for the Rams roster in record time. But 2022 was different for that process as well. Not only were the Rams struggling on the football field, but the roster was unable to step up and hold down the fort for the team as starters healed.

The LA Rams attempted a last ditch effort to right the ship by offering multiple trade options with the Caroline Panthers. Their offer for RB Christian McCaffrey fell just short of a competing bid by the San Francisco 49ers. A second offer for OLB Brian Burns was outright rejected. For the first time in the six years of Les Snead working with HC Sean McVay, the Rams season fell far short.

Rams roster purge lasted throughout 2022

Even as the Rams continued through 2022, the Rams front office began to purge the Rams roster. The Rams released veterans like RB Darrell Henderson Jr., OLB Justin Hollins, and DB Terrell Burgess. Even OLB Terrell Lewis was released, But 2023 will most certainly be a time for carefully and meticulously resetting a foundation for the Rams' future.

The team was forced to promote huge numbers of players to the active roster in 2022. Likewise, the Rams were forced to sign many free agents off the street simply to have enough players to suit up in 2022. Players who land on IR still count against a team's salary cap. But suffering almost a record number of injuries, the Rams burned through their financial reserves. In fact, the margins for 2022 were so razor-thin that of the 32 NFL teams, the Rams had the smallest carryover from the 2022 NFL season to 2023. The average carryover was $4.2 million. The Rams had less than one-tenth of that amount, or a carryover of just over $405,000

And so, realism must set in. The Rams' window closed faster than expected for this team. Rather than cling to the past, the Rams are embracing the truth and fast-tracking to their next window. That will mean that the team will need to add a new franchise quarterback. Like who? Well now, the future 2024 NFL Draft class is loaded, bursting even, with potential NFL quarterback talent: