The Los Angeles Rams faced a heart-wrenching close to their season, narrowly missing the NFC Championship game by just 13 yards. With only 1 minute and 14 seconds left on the clock, the Rams were down six points, battling fiercely to secure their place among the NFL's elite. Despite the disappointment, this season demonstrated that the Rams have the capability to compete with the best teams in the league.
A significant factor in the Rams' performance this season was the remarkable improvement on the defensive side of the ball. Under the guidance of new defensive coordinator Chris Shula, the defense made significant strides. The team has built a solid core of players still on their rookie deals, including promising talents like defensive linemen Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske, outside linebackers Byron Young and Jared Verse, and safety Quentin Lake. These young players provide a strong foundation for the team’s future.
The leadership group, comprising general manager Les Snead, head coach Sean McVay, team president Kevin Demoff, and VP of football and business administration Tony Pastoors, will convene to discuss the franchise's path forward. The Rams' defense has undergone structural changes over the past two offseasons to manage the salary cap implications of having highly paid players.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford has been pivotal for the Rams since joining, playing in seven playoff games and consistently keeping the team in contention. Stafford will now take some time to contemplate his future in the NFL after completing his 16th season.
"I think the coolest thing you can say about Matthew is he shines the brightest on the biggest stages."
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp remains committed to the Rams, having played his entire career under head coach Sean McVay. Kupp confirmed his intention to return next season. This commitment from Kupp is crucial as the team navigates its future.
Financial flexibility was a key consideration when the Rams traded cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins in March 2023. This strategic move was part of broader efforts to reshape the team's roster and salary structure.
The Rams' future, however, is heavily dependent on whether Stafford decides to return for the 2025 season. McVay acknowledged the pivotal role of the quarterback in shaping the team's direction.
"The quarterback is always the first thing in mind as it relates to how you move forward with the team," said McVay.
The Rams were on the brink of hosting an NFC Championship game at SoFi Stadium had they secured a win in the divisional round. McVay reflected on how close they came to achieving that goal.
"It just seemed like a lot of things were going to maybe line up for us to be able to host an NFC Championship," McVay remarked.
During Thursday morning's end-of-season press conference, McVay addressed questions about the team's future and expressed pride in Stafford's performance.
"I think [Stafford's] playing really good football and like I said, when we get back, we'll talk about all those types of things but I'm sure proud of the body of work and really proud of the way that he's played."
Despite falling short of their aspirations this season, McVay emphasized the importance of perseverance and resilience.
"When you put so much into something, that's why it takes so much out of you," he stated. "When you come up a little bit short or when the journey ends a little bit sooner than what you want… I know this about myself and everybody else that we're talking about, they'll put themselves out there all over again because even though it's hard and these feelings kind of suck, it's all worth it."
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