What does All In look like if Matthew Stafford returns for another Rams season?

Apparently, what comes next for the Los Angeles Rams rests entirely upon Matthew Stafford. That is, general manager Les Snead is already concocting contingency plans around whether the 17-year NFL veteran quarterback agrees to return for an 18th NFL season. And he has admitted as such. But the question is, how all-in will LA go if the team opts to go All-In?

Snead is wise enough to know that 2026 may be the curtain call for Matthew Stafford's illustrious NFL career. He stated outright that Stafford's sensational 2025 on-field performance is limited in number. So he intends to make the most of whatever playing time the girl-dad quarterback can muster.

Of course, with the NFL's top-scoring offense, just how much more can he do? It is the first place fans expect whenever the topic is about optimizing the 2026 NFL season. But investing in the defense and special teams would likely yield a more promising return. So what might All-In look like?

Here are some more obvious strategies:

Rams All-In strategy could include many familiar deeds

5. LA will be very active at the NFL trade deadline

One direction the team would likely optimize is working the phones at the 2026 NFL trade deadline. Whether it's due to injury, underperforming players, or simply interest in adding quality depth, the front office could be very active in 2026.

In 2021, Los Angeles not only traded for elite veteran outside linebacker Von Miller. It also signed free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

4. Los Angeles will seek veteran help at wide receiver

While the team won't be bringing back OBJ, the exodus of Tutu Atwell creates a void in the offense that will likely be filled by a veteran free agent. Both Puka Nacua and Davante Adams are superb as a dangerous NFL duo. But should either player suffer an injury or simply need to take a break, the offense has few alternatives.

While the number of projected NFL free agent wide receivers will undoubtedly shrink as teams re-sign their players, many veteran wide receivers are available to come in as the third option in this offense

3. Draft picks become trade currency

Another familiar tactic of trading draft picks for future contributors to today's game-changers could be used with great success. The entire personnel office has endured drafts without a single top-100 draft selection, and still managed to remain successful.

That is not to say that the team must trade away picks. It's simply the realization that trading picks for players is back on the menu.

2. Rams offensive line remains a high priority

The team is unlikely to retain all offensive linemen from 2025. As such, LA will likely seek reinforcements from the free agency market. Don't be shocked if the team is willing to spend a bit to upgrade the unit. Who might Snead target? Don't ignore a promising young player who is unlikely to start for another NFL team.

Snead has had success in trading for both Austin Corbett and Kevin Dotson in the past. The third time could prove to be the charm.

1. Rams could delay drafting a quarterback (again)

While Los Angeles is frequently mocked in drafting a project quarterback, the return of Stafford could force the front office to shelve those plans. Doesn't that defy the logic of mentoring a rookie quarterback?

Perhaps. But it's almost a done deal that this team will have little interest in backing up Stafford with an untested rookie. And the need for a veteran backup all but eliminates the limited roster slots to invest in a rookie quarterback in 2026.

Snead may simply run it back, extending veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for one more season. Of course, if the team hopes to have a successor to Stafford on the roster for 2026, now would be the last chance to do so.

Perhaps a reclamation project like Indianapolis Colts tarnished quarterback Anthony Richardson?

It's clear from the success of quarterbacks like Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones this season that out-of-favor quarterbacks can flourish in the right offensive system. The trick is to find the right unpopular quarterback who might flourish in LA's offense.

As always, thanks for reading.