The Los Angeles Rams are entering the 2025 season with a mix of optimism and cautious pragmatism.
Head coach Sean McVay and the front office are navigating towards growth from young players and stability in key veteran roles to lift the team back into contention, similar or greater than 2024.
The offseason brought notable roster moves, most prominently the addition of All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams, who could provide the firepower needed to complement quarterback Matthew Stafford’s arm.
Stafford, however, is coming off a period of uncertainty. An aggravated disc caused him to miss almost all of training camp, raising questions about his health and durability heading into the regular season.
Key Additions and Departures
The Rams bolstered their roster on both sides of the ball. Alongside Adams, defensive tackle Poona Ford arrives to strengthen a run defense that struggled last season. Nate Landman will anchor the inside linebacker group, adding experience and versatility.
On offense, center Coleman Shelton and rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson provide depth, while left tackle D.J. Humphries offers stability to protect Stafford’s blind side. The team also retained key pieces like Kyren Williams, whose three-year extension secures the lead rusher for the foreseeable future.
Notable departures include wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who leaves a significant void in the passing game, and defensive end Michael Hoecht, who contributed as a rotational pass rusher. Losing veterans in the process means the Rams will rely on younger players to step up and maintain the level of competition in practices and games.
Stafford and Adams to Lead the Way
Stafford’s ability to stretch the field vertically has always been a defining trait of his career. With Adams now in Los Angeles next to Puka Nacua on the other end, the offense gains an elite downfield threat capable of converting critical third downs and creating big-play opportunities.
McVay has emphasized that even if Stafford isn’t at 100 percent early in the season, a solid running game led by Williams and a revitalized offensive line can help the team stay competitive. But mostly, his early praise of Adams has lit excitement under the whole city.
“He can win inside, he can win outside, he’s so smart, and he and Matthew really see the game through a similar lens,” McVay said, per Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times.
The chemistry between Stafford and Adams will be critical. Adams provides a seasoned presence for younger targets and could serve as a model for developing receivers to emulate.
It’s clear that the Rams’ decision to keep Stafford as their starter reflects confidence in his ability to lead the offense, especially with Adams now in the mix. The combination of Stafford’s experience and Adams’ elite route-running and hands could make the Rams a legitimate threat in the NFC West if both stay healthy.
“There’s unfinished business for him,” offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said.
The Rams’ offense might rely heavily on quick reads and short passes at times, but the potential for explosive plays is there with Stafford taking calculated deep shots to Adams or Nacua.
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