Stafford's indecision forces Rams front office to this action in 2025 NFL Draft

Rams can add competitive QB in 2025 NFL Draft

The LA Rams front office may not be oozing with elite NFL quarterback talent beyond Stafford right now, but I daresay that fans have been overly critical of young NFL quarterback Stetson Bennett. Despite his absence in 2023, Bennett competed in the 2024 NFL preseason and showed up in a big way. His ability allowed him to complete 41 of 69 passes in just two preseason games for 437 passing yards. His inexperience (having missed all of 2023) showed up when he tossed five interceptions.

But his competitive spirit showed up when he threw not one, but two game winning touchdown passes. He sat out the team's third preseason game, but he won both games and led all quarterbacks in passing yards until Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance overtook him with 662 passing yards in three games. Of course, Lance completed 73 of 113 passes to get there, and threw for two touchdowns and five interceptions.

Bennett completed a 47 yard touchdown pass during preseason.

Stetson Bennett will be far more disciplined and refined in 2025. But the team cannot expect Bennett to be the only competition for the quarterback role in the 2025 training camp. While there is not a fever-pitch over the quarterbacks up for draft selection in the 2025 NFL Draft quite yet, there are many intriguing prospects who could find themselves well-suited to drive the Rams' high-powered offense going forward.

And Stafford's reluctance to give the team a firm commitment to return and play in 2025 has crossed the line. The Rams have to add a rookie quarterback to the roster in this draft.

If Stafford returns, great. All is forgiven and the team has a second set of eyes to watch and observe Stafford to aid in their development as an NFL starting quarterback. If Stafford opts out, then the team merely has to sign a competent veteran to set a bar of performance for either a rookie or Stetson Bennett to overcome in order to start for the Rams under center.

The Rams have no chance at selecting one of the top-tier quarterbacks in this rookie class. But I could see the team targeting several prospects in Round 3. In that round, quarterbacks still possess NFL caliber attributes, but need to be coached up to achieve consistent performance at the professional football level. This Rams coaching staff was established with coaching up young quarterbacks in mind.

Did the Rams miss their window to play in the Super Bowl this time around:? Perhaps. But unlike other seasons when other NFL teams cannibalized the Rams coaching staff, free agents signed lucrative contracts to play elsewhere, and a sense of another rebuild in store, the health and continuity of the Rams for 2025 already checks all of the boxes.

The tema made huge strides in both defense and special teams in 2024. Now the team must turn its attention to the offensive side of the football. Based on the team's success with both the 2023 and 2024 NFL Drafts, I admit that I am a bit eager to see how the team approaches the draft this year.

Will the Rams draft a rookie quarterback? While I can't see them selecting one in Round 1, I will be shocked if GM Les Snead does not select one. The team cannot ignore the need at quarterback depth any longer. Even if the team opts for a veteran to bridge the need for now, the positive momentum of this team cannot be halted due to bad planning.

As always, thanks for reading.

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