After a disastrous title defense in 2022, the Rams are taking a far different approach to this offseason than they have in years past. That has already led to a number of high-profile departures, but a complete tear-down will not be taking place. 
During a press conference leading up free agency, general manager Les Snead confirmed that quarterback Matthew Stafford is one of a number of veterans who remain firmly in the team’s plans for 2023 and beyond. “I think we’ll definitely rely on Matthew, he’s definitely one of our pillars,” he said, via The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue (subscription required). “He’s definitely someone we’re going to rely on, [who] we’re gonna have to rely on as we do remodel this.”
Snead, as noted above, declined to use the term ‘rebuild’ to describe the Rams’ situation, one which comes after years of aggressive moves aimed at adding not only Stafford but several other veterans who helped them win Super Bowl LVI. Now, they are destined to move in a different direction as the clearing of expensive contracts has already begun, resulting in the release of edge rusher Leonard Floyd and, once the new league year begins, linebacker Bobby Wagner.
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey is also expected to be on the move, and multiple teams have called to gauge the 28-year-old’s market. On the offensive side of the ball, 2022 free agent addition Allen Robinson has been given permission to seek a trade, meaning the wideout’s tenure with the Rams could be cut far shorter than many would have expected one year ago. Not all notable names will be dealt away in the near future, however.
In addition to Stafford, Snead named receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive tackle Aaron Donald as “weight-bearing walls” who will be counted on during this transitional phase for the franchise. All three players were signed to new, lucrative deals last offseason, meaning Los Angeles would incur major dead cap charges in the next few years if they were to trade or release them. Snead acknowledged, though, that he has fielded trade calls on nine different players ahead of an offseason in which more significant roster turnover can be expected.
“We’re trying to assess situations, figure out how to get under the cap [and] what’s the best way to do that,” he added, via ESPN’s Sarah Barshop. “We’ve had calls on a lot of our players. Probably other places trying to figure out what are we doing big picture and things like that. It’s been a busy off season discussing players.”
The Rams are currently $9.1MM over the cap, and like all other teams must get under the cap ceiling by Wednesday. Part of the process of putting themselves in a better financial situation could indicate a multi-year rebuild seeing Stafford, Donald and Kupp departing, but such an approach is unlikely at this point.
I don’t wanna hear this bullshit “Oh we’re not trying to trade him.” Yes you are! You’ve called teams I know this and so I don’t really care what they say they all lie about it. As for Kirk Cousins has $30M coming up he’s due $10M in paragraph five he’s $20M on a roster bonus but he doesn’t have a contract past ‘24 I mean they would definitely do something if they could get something more. They’re not going to extend him out.
You’re very angry over something so trivial. And how do you know that they’ve called teams, other than what was reported? Is this Les Snead’s burner account or something?
link to twitter.com
How about that!!! Please do your research my guy before commenting.
49.5M reasons why you’re wrong. They’re not eating that much money for him to not play. They just aren’t. But sure, tell us more about how you “know” it is going on.
@kylewait89 you don’t know football my guy save your commentary for another sport please.
link to twitter.com
Man, with that kind of analysis…
Yeah there was still never anything about the Rams actually trying to trade him. And again, 49.5M dead cap when they don’t need to eat it…they’re not going to. Sorry, bud.
Does anyone actually want to trade for Stafford coming off of last year at 35 years old, anyway? The Rams very well may have gotten to him just in time to build a SB winner around him, before it was too late.
I’d sign Stafford in FA over lower ceiling veterans like Jimmy G if he were cut, but I wouldn’t trade for him.
What’s the relationship between how many times an exec says “definitely” and the likelihood of a player getting traded?
Committed because they can’t get rid of him
Imagine a year ago being told this would be a headline.
Because they can’t trade him without eating a stupid amount of money.
Maybe if that weren’t the case they’d try to move him but those saying he was being shopped are doofy.
Why?