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Rams begin life after Matthew Stafford in bold 2026 mock draft prediction

All good things come to an end.
ByLeigh Oleszczak|
Nov 17, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) walks off of the field after a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Nov 17, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) walks off of the field after a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

The 2025 NFL Draft just wrapped up over the weekend and you know what that means, right? It's already time for 2026 mock drafts! Los Angeles Rams fans are probably rolling their eyes at the thought of already looking at mock drafts for next year but it will more than likely be a draft to remember for Rams fans.

Stafford is under contract for two more years in Los Angeles but he's also 37 years old and nearing the end of his decorated NFL career. That means that next year could be when the Rams opt to find their next franchise quarterback and the draft is likely where they'll do that.

Jordan Reid of ESPN put together a way-too-early mock draft for 2026 and had the Rams not only drafting their quarterback of the future but trading up to do so. Reid projected the Rams to move up to the seventh pick in a trade with Carolina and selecting LSU's Garrett Nussmeier.

Rams' next QB era begins with gutsy mock draft swing

Rams fans wouldn't be the least bit shocked if the team made a move to land a quarterback in next year's draft. As I already touched on, Stafford is 37 years old and only under contract for two more seasons. It's perfectly reasonable for Los Angeles to want to find its next quarterback before Stafford officially calls it a career (or moves on with another team).

As for Nussmeier, he's spent all four years of his collegiate career at LSU (a rarity in the NIL era) and is coming off a decent seasons with the Tigers. Nussmeier threw for over 4,000 yards while tossing 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Reid makes it a point to discuss the interceptions as something the LSU signal-caller needs to cut down on in 2025 if he wants to be a first-round pick.

It'll be weird when the Matthew Stafford era does come to an end but we're certainly getting to that point. If Nussmeier ends up being the pick a year from now, Rams fans should feel good about developing him since Sean McVay is an offensive guru and will want the quarterback he feels can execute his offense the best.

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