Rams made right name to ‘live and die’ by the arm of Matthew Stafford

Final week, the Los Angeles Rams made the choice to decide to their beginning quarterback. Whereas the settlement is extra of a contract adjustment than an precise extension, the Rams determined that for the 2025 season, Matthew Stafford can be their beginning quarterback.

That call made probably the most sense. As a lot because the Rams roster may be prepared for a youthful quarterback, it’s additionally a roster that’s suited to win now. The quarterback that offers them one of the best likelihood to do this is Matthew Stafford.

Stafford proved that a number of instances final season late within the 12 months when the offense was totally wholesome. From Weeks 8-14, Stafford’s EPA + CPOE composite ranked ninth within the NFL. His adjusted EPA per play ranked sixth.

All through his profession, Stafford has been streaky. That was the case final 12 months as effectively when the Rams had been harm earlier than their bye week after which over the ultimate three weeks. Nevertheless, Stafford’s upside continues to be among the many finest quarterbacks within the NFL. He’ll ship a efficiency like he did in opposition to the Buffalo Payments after which the divisional spherical in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles. Cory Kinnan of Reception Notion not too long ago charted Stafford’s 2024 season and stated,

“Stafford had a rock-solid season…But the question for the 37-year-old QB is, do the numbers match the tape when looking under the hood?”

Matthew Stafford Success By Route

Reception Notion

The straightforward reply is sure. Stafford’s season was good, not nice. When the Rams have been capable of stay wholesome and supply a stable supporting solid for Stafford, he’s proven moments of being elite. He nonetheless has the flexibility to hit all the throws and regardless of being 37, there isn’t any indication that the arm expertise or arm power is dwindling.

That’s a motive why it is sensible for the Rams to proceed to take Stafford year-by-year. The very last thing they wish to do is get caught in a Kirk Cousins scenario with the Atlanta Falcons. Final offseason, the Falcons signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract. Cousins’ arm didn’t look good down the stretch and now they’ve to contemplate consuming $65 million in lifeless cash.

If the Rams can proceed to construct the offense round Stafford and supply him with weapons that may make the most of his arm, it is sensible to proceed alongside this path. Exterior of accidents, numerous the explanation why the Rams offense struggled in elements final 12 months was due to the dearth of explosiveness. Puka Nacua was the one broad receiver able to constantly making performs downfield. A spotlight this offseason will probably be for the Rams so as to add explosive play-makers for Stafford and to enhance Nacua. As Kinnan wrote,

“Stafford is still lethal when he can rip the football down the field as exhibited in his 66.67% success rate on deep passes this year. Of the quarterbacks we’ve charted, only the MVP finalists of Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson dwarfed his success on go balls.”

Matthew Stafford Route Proportion

Reception Notion

Stafford’s success price on deep balls is a giant motive why the Rams must discover a authentic deep menace this offseason on the “x” receiver spot. They want one other participant reverse Nacua that may win down the sector and alongside the sideline.

That’s to not say that Stafford is ideal. At his finest, he can out-throw any of these quarterbacks, however Stafford has at instances lacked the consistency or too usually seemed for the massive play. Mentioned Kinnan,

“Stafford plays with a level of ego that makes him believe there is not a window too small for him to throw the football into…At times he seems almost arrogant with these tight window throws, trusting his arm and pass catcher to make plays…You beat Matthew Stafford by making him play small ball…He wants to rip the football, and when he cannot, there is a slight lag in success. Stafford had his faults in 2024 as NFL teams refused to sit in single high and began to clamp down on shots down the field. His success rate against zone coverage tells the story of a quarterback who gets frustrated when he has to come off of the play he wants to make. Stafford sits with a similar success rate against zone as pending free agent Darnold. Stafford carries a low success rate when throwing under 10 yards at below 80%. This is jarringly low compared to the other quarterbacks in the top 50th percentile.”

With that stated, it’s onerous to discover a quarterback in that second-tier behind Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson significantly better than Stafford. His willingness and skill to make these sorts of throws are why the Rams traded for him. Even when a play isn’t there to be made, Stafford finds a technique to make it occur. His potential to create outdoors of construction and make the throws when the protection has the proper protection is why McVay values him because the quarterback in his offense.

Kinnan famous that facet completely in his conclusion by saying,

“That’s why despite his age and some of his shortcomings as a quarterback, the Rams made the correct call to continue to live and die by the arm of Stafford.”

The Rams have a younger roster they’re able to construct round, however they’re additionally ready to win now. With the best way that they’ve drafted, gamers corresponding to Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner, and Puka Nacua stay on rookie contracts. Within the sense of the anti-rookie quarterback contract, the Rams must make the most of these excellent gamers nonetheless being on rookie offers. Stafford stays one of the best quarterback to perform that.