Rams should warm up QBs Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett in the bullpen

The LA Rams needed a win in Week 7. The difference between a record of 2-4 and 1-5 in terms of postseason probability is significant. The Rams needed the best of every player on the football field. From some players, that happened. But the Rams did not get the best from veteran QB Matthew Stafford. In truth, it was one of the worst games in his NFL career. Ever. And that is a concern.

At the end of the day, Stafford's stats were no better than that of Las Vegas Raiders backup quarterback Garner Minshew. Minshew completed 15 of 34 passes for 154 and three interceptions. Stafford completed 14 of 23 passes for 154 yards and an interception. Nobody expects Minshew to lead the Raiders to the promised land. Everyone believes in Stafford, and is counting on him to lead the Rams in a another odds-defying run to the NFL Playoffs this season.

But the Matthew Stafford who took the football field in Week 7 won't, and perhaps can't.

With the exception of the season opener, Stafford is not having a good year. Not in terms of passing yards. His 154 passing yards against the Las Vegas Raiders was a low point, yes. But so far he's thrown for:

• @ Detroit Lions - 317 passing yards - 1 TD - 1 INT
• @ Arizona Cardinals - 216 passing yards - 0 TD - 0 INT
• San Francisco 49ers - 221 passing yards - 1 TD - 0 INT
• @ Chicago Bears - 224 passing yards - 0 TD - 1 INT
• Green Bay Packers - 260 passing yards - 1 TD - 1 INT
• Las Vegas Raiders - 154 passing yards - 0 TD - 1 INT
• Stafford 2024 Totals - 1,392 passing yards - 3 TD - 4 INT

Is he hurt? Is he shaken up? By comparison, Staffords six-game totals since arriving to the LA Rams are as follows:

• 2021 season - 1839 passing yards - 16 TD - 4 INT
• 2022 season - 1576 passing yards - 6 TD - 8 INT
• 2023 season - 1677 passing yards - 6 TD - 5 INT
• 2024 season - 1392 passing yards - 3 TD - 4 INT

Stafford's proficiency is definitely on the downward slope this season. By rights, it was argued that Stafford's resurgence in 2023 was despite the team's record of 3-3 after just six games. So how can we ignore the evidence of a lesser quarterback under center this season?

Is Stafford hitting the wall?

If we remove emotions and subjectivity from the equation, there is definitely a trend in these numbers after the first six games of the season. Now the question is: How much of that is the absence of the team's two top wide receivers? Is the reduction in output due to any aches, pains or unreported injuries to Stafford? And most importantly, how much of the drop off is simply coming from Matthew Stafford still competing in the NFL at the ripe ole age of 36 years old?

There may be good reasons for Stafford's struggles this season. He has had just one game throwing to 2023 sensation Puka Nacua, and less than two games throwing to his favorite target, WR Cooper Kupp. So surely that is part of the story.

Or is it?

In 2023, the Rams lost Cooper Kupp for four games to start the season. Instead, he elevated the play of then-rookie WR Puka Nacua, basically not losing a single step in the passing game, as Nacua was every bit NFL-ready. While not nearly as proficient in catching passes, the Rams have rookie WR Jordan Whittington in 2024, a young player who has not been getting much work. He was not targeted once against the Raiders.

But no such instant chemistry has formed this season. The Rams are wisely running the ball, taking pressure off Matthew Stafford, and when that happens, this team wins. But Stafford is not finding the end zone. And that's a concern. With six games into the 2024 NFL season, Stafford has three touchdowns.

Houston, we have a problem.

Stafford has had a challenging NFL career

Don't overreact to what I'm suggesting here.

If the lack of production from Matthew Stafford this season is due to the absence of Cooper Kupp and or Puka Nacua, then it will self correct rather quickly when the pair returns. The question of Cooper Kupp's return for Week 8 seems to have already been decided.

But what about the other scenarios? What if Stafford is injured, but nobody is talking about it? Or the even gloomier scenario: What if Stafford's age is finally starting to take its toll?

We know that players step away from the game. No, not just to clear their heads for a season. We know that All-Pro DT Aaron Donald retired with plenty of gas left in his tank to compete. But, he was satiated. But stepping away is not just about the desire to compete. Sometimes, that decision is made for other reasons.

Former NFL quarterback Tom Brady retired at 44 years old. But he was the exception, not the new rule. NFL players' careers are enduring far longer than previous generations. Some cause is due to advances in nutrition, other reasons include advances in sports medicine. But most likely, the NFL and NFLPA changed the rules of the game to protect players.

Despite these changes, Staffords career has been a testimony to his tough-guy durability. He threw a game winning touchdown pass despite suffering from a separated shoulder. And that is simply the typical example of the guy who would give his all on the football field. And now, that history of bumps, bruises, or even his spinal cord bruise, has surely taken a toll on him by this point in his career.

Rams need to start warming up Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett

It's not an alarmist or fatalist reaction to simply read the signs and begin to take precautions. If the Rams fail to prepare the backup quarterbacks to step up in the case of an injury to Stafford, that is on the coaches. And right now, whether real or simply an anomalous downturn in his stats, Matthew Stafford seems to be struggling.

Just like the Los Angeles Dodgers, if the starting hurler is struggling, you start warming up the relievers in the bullpen. Right now, that means that backup quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett need to be ramping up their preparation, perhaps even to the point of getting some snaps with the starting offense.

The Rams offense, having struggled mightily in Week 7, must now step up to the plate and rock the Minnesota Vikings, one of the best teams in the NFL this season. The Vikings have a dominating run defense, allowing just 80.0 yards per game. So if the Rams are going to win in Week 8, it will come down to Stafford's throwing. That's fine by the Vikings, a defense that is third-ranked in the terms of quarterback sacks. Conversely, the Rams defense is 26th-ranked in quarterback sacks.

The Rams offense is tied at 16-ranked in terms of QB sacks allowed.

If the Rams allow Stafford to get taken to the ground too frequently, this Thursday Night Football game could get ugly very quickly.

The sad aspect of this discussion is that Stafford may already be dealing with an injury. And he is not the type of player to share his pain with trainers, coaches, or teammates. So we have to hope that Stafford is not injured and simply had an off-game. But prudence demands that the team prepares if it's something more.

The Rams lost Stafford in 2022 in a similar set of circumstances. Injuries depleted the roster, and Stafford was injured as he was sacked, and sat out the remained of 2022. The Rams have adjusted the roster in the case that happens again. But the real key is to have them ready to go if Stafford is injured this season.

Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett need to start warming up in the bullpen.

As always, thanks for reading.

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