Rams GM Les Snead shares the quiet part out loud about offseason strategy

The Los Angeles Rams ended their 2024 NFL season with a closely fought game in the snow of the Divisional Round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles. While a loss is a loss, the Rams were the stiffest competition that the Eagles faced on their way to victory in Super Bowl LIX. The fact that the Rams were oh-so-close to an NFL Super Bowl appearance, and perhaps victory, may have dictated the terms of the Rams' offseason.

It was the proximity of the team to ultimate glory that may have placed coming to terms with veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford tops on the offseason priorities. But why is that so significant? How did the Rams decision to reinvest in Stafford alter their offseason plans? Perhaps alter might mislead some readers. The front office faced a fork in the road. The team could either go all-in on investing in youth this offseason, including taking a flyer on a rookie QB to learn behind Jimmy Garoppolo.

Or the team could settle up with Stafford, load up with a veteran wide receiver, and go after a Super Bowl ring in 2025. The team opted to stick with Stafford, and construct a team that can win a Super Bowl with him.

Rams GM Les Snead is not one to mince words. He weighs his words carefully, as for everything he shares with the listening audience, he has many things he is keeping close to the vest. But try as he might, his explanation of the team renegotiating the contract with Matthew Stafford leaves no doubt that he views the Rams window for Super Bowl success as open but closing.

As he puts it, repartnering with Stafford places the Rams into 'chasing special,' in 2025.

The Rams did not exactly fire up all cylinders of their front office engine yet. And unless the right opportunity presents itself, the team may not engineer a blockbuster trade or draft pick that splashes across all the NFL headlines.

The Rams may not be in a position to select an elite rookie prospect with the 26th overall pick. But with Stafford on board, the team has its eye on adding impact players who can move the needle in the draft. Who might those rookies be? We have a couple of weeks to discuss some options.

As always, thanks for reading.

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