Time's running out for the Rams to land Matthew Stafford's successor

Are the Rams patiently awaiting a reunion with a UFL quarterback?

The Rams are incredibly calm over their quarterback situation. That seems to fly against the constant stream of articles that continue to demand that the Rams part ways with Stetson Bennett. While those articles get their share of clicks, I don't know that they make much practical sense. After all, this team already faces losing veteran Jimmy Garoppolo at the end of this season. The team has admittedly entered into a one-year-at-a-time phase with starting quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Why would this team willingly part ways with their third and final quarterback under these conditions? After all, the optimal time to have opted for a new direction was at the assumption of the 2024 training camp. The team has invested an additional year into Stetson Bennett, and he performed well enough to earn a roster spot for the duration of last season.

As OTAs opened for the Rams, the team has not filled all 90-man roster slots. That's curious, as the team cannot turn back the calendar to reboot OTAs to get new additions up to speed. And so, the team may simply be waiting to add players who are already familiar with the team, players, and coaches. In 2024, the Rams signed free-agent defensive back John Johnson III in July. Could the Rams be waiting to re-sign former players once again?

The Rams are almost certainly seeking to add a quarterback, not jettison one. And the end of the UFL season may be perfectly timed for the Rams to collect another quarterback. We explored several reasons why reuniting with UFL Michigan Panthers QB Bryce Perkins makes a great deal of sense for both sides, if only to ensure that the Rams have a fourth quarterback in training camp.

In doing so, the Rams pick up a football-ready player who is competing very well, is incredibly familiar to the team, and who brings that added dimension of a dual-threat quarterback. Since the Rams are almost certainly not going to allow either Stafford or Garoppolo to compete in preseason games, the offense needs a quarterback who can ensure all receivers get catchable balls thrown their way.

Bryce Perkins can do that.

Did the Rams give up on Perkins too soon? He was swept up in the team's roster reboot, and at the time, the team was unwilling to consider each expiring contract on a case-by-case basis. But Perkins certainly has continued to fight to remain relevant. He has been quite productive in his post-Rams football career. And his ability to put up yards via the run and the pass simply makes him all the more dangerous.

Is there a reunion in the immediate future? It certainly makes a lot of sense for both sides to do so. The Rams would get a competent plug-and-play quarterback who has upside. And Perkins gets another opportunity to attract NFL interest, continue to play football, line his pockets with NFL cash, and improve his skills with a brand new group of coaches.

But if that doesn't happen, there is another option: