The Los Angeles Rams are in a transitional phase. With Matthew Stafford on the back end of his career and the quarterback room lacking long-term depth, it’s time the Rams start seriously evaluating options that offer both familiarity and upside. One of those options is a player they’ve already had in their building: QB Bryce Perkins.
After an impressive 2025 season in the United Football League (UFL), where he earned both Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year honors, Perkins is making a strong case for a return in the NFL. For the Rams, this could be the perfect reunion at the right time.
Why the Rams Make Sense for a Reunion
Familiarity is an underrated aspect of quarterback success, especially for a player returning to the NFL. Perkins was with the Rams from 2021 to 2022, seeing some action during a turbulent 2022 season. He knows Sean McVay’s system, and the Rams coaching staff also knows what kind of person and player he is.
Moreover, the Rams are in a position where taking a chance on Perkins would carry virtually no risk. Plus, the Rams need to start preparing for life after No. 9.
Let’s face it; Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett are not going to elevate this Rams squad, nor be capable options if Stafford were to go down. Bringing in a UFL MVP and OPOY for little cost seems like a no-brainer.
Perkins himself made it clear he wants another shot at the NFL during an interview with former NFL Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden.
“I definitely want to get another shot. I think everything, from leaving the NFL to coming here, was necessary for my growth as a player. I’ve worked hard to be here, and would love another shot. I also understand how things go sometimes.”
A Rebuilt Bryce Perkins: From NFL Backup to UFL Star
GettyBryce Perkins has made some massive strides since playing with the Los Angeles Rams back in 2022.
Perkins’ UFL campaign with the Michigan Panthers in 2025 was nothing short of exceptional. Despite missing some time due to injury, he still led the league in impact, earning top honors from a panel of league and team executives, coaches, media members, and players from all eight UFL teams. He completed 69 percent of his passes, threw for 1,342 yards, tossed nine touchdowns, and added five more on the ground. Those numbers only scratched the surface of what Perkins brought to the field.
What’s more important than stats, however, is the why behind the improvement. Speaking with Gruden, Perkins talked about the strides he’s made in understanding post-snap reads and extending plays with poise rather than panic. “My comfortability post-snap, seeing and making decisions, has gotten a lot quicker. Even over the years, that’s something that I realized — this is something you’ve got to get better at. You’ve got to start seeing things because it never stays the same. And trusting the guys, going out there and understanding (I) can make every throw and don’t have to use my legs all the time, and when I do get out there, start running around, guys pop open.”
That kind of mental evolution is exactly what NFL teams want to see from quarterbacks looking to re-enter the league. It demonstrates maturity, leadership, and an ability to process the game at a higher level. For a team like the Rams, who once saw Perkins as a developmental option, this new version of a player who’s now refined and battle-tested could be an option as a legit backup or even future starter. Which is something the team doesn’t have on the roster right now.
Given his familiarity with the system, recent accolades, and clear development strides, Perkins might be exactly the kind of player the Rams need in 2025 and beyond.
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