Before the start of the season, Matthew Stafford had back issues that kept him out of almost the entirety of training camp.
It caused a stir in the media, with many claiming how the team would fare without the Super Bowl-winning quarterback at the start of the 2025 season. Luckily, Stafford was able to return to practice and play for the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1. But now, many wondered how his back would hold up.
So far? A nonexistent issue, with Stafford playing like an MVP candidate. Through 8 games so far, the Rams’ quarterback has thrown for 2,147 passing yards and 21 passing touchdowns (the most in the league).
The Rams are in good hands with Stafford behind the center, but the drama surrounding his back issues before the season sparked conversations on how Los Angeles will be once the quarterback calls it a career.
https://www.nfl.com/news/rams-matthew-stafford-finalize-contract-terms-qb-to-earn-44-million-for-2025-season
Rams After Stafford Era
GettyTexas Longhorn quarterback Arch Manning
Matthew Stafford could at least play one more season, but the Los Angeles Rams need to prepare for life after the quarterback. The Rams have the opportunity to take a quarterback with a very respected name in the NFL and have him learn from Stafford on the bench.
Bleacher Report has released its latest 2026 mock draft as the NFL enters the latter half of the 2025 season, predicting that Los Angeles will take Texas quarterback Arch Manning with the 11th overall pick they received from the Atlanta Falcons.
“Stafford cannot play forever and there isn’t an option on the roster worthy of handing the franchise’s keys,” Dame Parson wrote. “Enter Manning, who is finding himself late in the CFB season. Manning is throwing with more confidence, accuracy and better overall decision-making. He is anticipating windows more quickly and being more decisive with his passes. Give this gifted prospect a year under Stafford’s tutelage to learn/master Sean McVay’s offense and the Rams will be a problem for another decade-plus.”
Manning started off the 2025 college football season on a cold foot in two of the first three games when he threw for under 200 yards while having the same amount of touchdowns as interceptions.
Since then, the Longhorn has been playing at the level that was expected of him. In the season, Manning has thrown for 2,123 passing yards and 18 touchdowns.
If the Rams were to take Arch in next year’s draft, he would have the opportunity to learn from one of the brightest offensive minds in the NFL, in head coach Sean McVay.
Second First-Round Selection
GettyRob Havenstein #79 of the Los Angeles Rams
As mentioned earlier, the Rams have two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Bleacher Report predicts LA will select Arch Manning with that specific draft pick, leaving the Rams with their choice later in the round.
B/R predicts Los Angeles will go with another offensive selection with the second-first round choice, taking Northwestern tackle Caleb Tiernan.
“Tiernan has been one of the class’ most well-rounded and consistent blockers,” Brandon Thorn wrote for Bleacher Report. “The Rams will have a hole at right tackle this offseason with aging veteran Rob Havenstein set to hit free agency. Tiernan could slide over to the strong side and start immediately for this ultra-O-line-friendly scheme, providing the unit with a very similar player after Havenstein’s solid 11-year tenure.”
Adding Tiernan gives the Rams some youth on the offensive line, especially at the tackle position. The current average age for the tackles is 30.3 years old.
Matthew Stafford could use some youth who will have more energy to protect him and his back. And for the long-term plan of the future, he could protect Arch Manning if he does fall into the team’s lap.
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