The last two years, the Rams have walked two parallel paths. After a Super Bowl title in 2021 and a doomed-by-injury encore, the front office had to reset the books, commit to cost-controlled draft picks and college free agents to fill the roster. By the end of the 2024 season, 26 of the 53 players on the active roster were in their first or second years in the NFL.
But the Rams insisted heading into 2023 that this was no rebuild, simply a “remodel” around a Super Bowl core that, after the retirement of Aaron Donald, was led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, receiver Cooper Kupp, right tackle Rob Havenstein and tight end Tyler Higbee. And sure enough, those veterans helped the team stay competitive and make the postseason two years in a row.
“What I think is cool is you have guys that really set the culture,” head coach Sean McVay said Thursday, four days after the Rams’ season ended with a divisional-round loss to the Eagles. “I think when it comes from the players and the guys in terms of the way that they model the way, it creates a clear understanding of what it looks like. And then when you get the right kinds of guys, then they can mimic and emulate that in their own way that’s authentic to their personality. So those guys have been instrumental. They sure have meant a lot to me over the course of eight years.”
But as the Rams enter the offseason, whether the team will continue to walk both paths – of the youth movement and the old guard – has come into question.
McVay declined to discuss players’ future statuses with the team with reporters Thursday. He said late next week that he will meet with ownership, the front office and the coaching staff to map out the long-term vision for the Rams.
One of the first priorities in those discussions, McVay said, will be quarterback.
In his fourth season with the Rams, Stafford completed 65.8% of passes for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Just as last year, he elevated his play down the stretch as the Rams tried to overcome a three-games-below-.500 start to the year to make the playoffs. In his final seven starts, Stafford threw nine touchdowns to one interception as the Rams went 6-1 and clinched the NFC West title.
That trend continued into the playoffs, with a 4-to-0 TD-to-INT ratio in two games while leading the Rams to the cusp of an improbable comeback against the Eagles.
But that attempt fell short, and in the wake of the loss, Stafford expressed belief he could still play NFL football while saying he needed to think about what his future has in store.
“Obviously I love him, love working with him. What he’s meant to our football team has been immeasurable in a positive way,” McVay said. “The coolest thing you can say about Matthew is he shines the brightest on the biggest stages. And when you look at the seven playoff games that he’s played in since he’s been a Ram, he certainly gives you a chance every time you step out on the field.”
Last offseason, it was reported during the NFL draft that Stafford wanted to rework his contract with the Rams. Those talks carried all the way up to the eve of training camp, with the final deal reportedly moving guaranteed money from 2025 to 2024 and making it easier for both sides to move on if that’s what they want now.
As the Rams and Stafford evaluate what they want next, McVay does not want to see the process drag on as late into the calendar this year.
“We don’t want to have that go on again,” McVay said. “I don’t think that’s good for anybody. I think sooner than later, being able to get that clarity, understanding clear, open and honest communication. I think there is a lot of love coming from our part, I think there’s a lot of appreciation coming from his part, as well. … Matthew and I have obviously talked. He knows how important he is to me and to our football team.”
For Kupp, he admitted on Monday that 2024 was a frustrating year for him. From a high ankle sprain that cost him four games to freak happenstance on the field, his production did not meet the lofty standards he’s set throughout his career.
“All you can do from a receiver perspective, ‘Am I separating? Am I doing the things that I’m asked on every single play?’ And I think he can be proud of that,” McVay said. “I was really pleased and proud of the way that he led, the way that he handled himself.”
Kupp expressed a desire to return to the Rams in 2025, but admitted he is not sure how he fits into the team’s future plans. He is set to count $29.78 million against the salary cap next season, but the Rams could save $15 million against the cap in 2025 by cutting him with a post-June 1 designation, per OverTheCap.
So do the Rams decide to move on? Can they and Kupp find common ground on a restructured contract that keeps him with horns on his helmet? McVay did not give an indication either way, but spoke about looming difficult conversations with the receiver who was a part of his first draft class with the Rams in 2017.
“Cooper has changed my life for the better. … You try to say it’s business, it’s personal. Well, it all blends together because this is still relationships,” McVay said. “One of the things that I’ve learned from him as much as anybody is there’s no good way to go about hard conversations other than just straight to the point. And if you really love somebody enough, then you’re able to be honest and direct with them. And he’s always done that to me. That’s what I’ve done with him and we’ll be able to figure out what is the best way to navigate that moving forward.”
Similarly, the Rams could stand to save money toward the 2025 cap with post-June 1 cuts of Higbee (about $4.7 million in savings) and Havenstein (about $8.2 million in savings).
On Monday, Higbee said he is not ready to retire, adding, “Cup isn’t full yet, you know?” Havenstein, the last remaining St. Louis Ram after Donald’s retirement last year, was less definitive but McVay raved about what the veteran added to the Rams in his 10th season.
“The difference between when he was in the lineup and when he wasn’t, the impact that he had. It’s been really fun to watch him evolve into the leader and the man that he is,” McVay said. “We will talk and we’ll see where he’s at, what he’s looking at. But when you talk about those guys like Matthew, like Cooper, like Rob Havenstein, like Tyler Higbee … those guys, being those veteran leaders and modeling the way and what they’ve meant day in and day out, it’s been really cool.”
But that’s where the old guard’s timeline starts to bump up against the new wave of talent the Rams have added in recent seasons.
The 2023 draft class – including receiver Puka Nacua, defensive tackle Kobie Turner, edge rusher Byron Young and left guard Steve Avila – will be eligible for extensions after next season. Outside linebacker Jared Verse and defensive end Braden Fiske will be up for extensions after 2026.
This offseason, the Rams will decide whether to offer an extension to running back Kyren Williams, set to be a free agent next winter after accruing 2,831 scrimmage yards and 31 total touchdowns the past two seasons.
“What he represents, all the different things that we really want to be about as a football team and he’s checking a lot of those boxes,” McVay said. “I think that’s certainly something that will be discussed as well.”
So that’s the terrain the Rams must navigate this offseason, determining if the old guard and the young wave can continue to walk the path together.
“Let’s really evaluate what’s the best thing for the Rams football team moving into 2025,” McVay said. “But I’m sure grateful and appreciative of those guys and what they’ve meant to me both personally and professionally.”
Notes
Fiske will require a “minor procedure” for the knee injury that he suffered in the Rams’ playoff exit, McVay said, but it’s not something that’s expected to impact his availability for next season.
Beyond that, McVay said there might be some other minor cleanup surgeries for players this offseason, but nothing that requires urgent attention like Higbee’s ACL tear a year ago.
McVay said he will not making any changes to his coaching staff unless members leave for better opportunities. He confirmed that game management assistant John Streicher has left for a role with the Patriots, and that the Bears have formally requested an interview with defensive backs coach and assistant head coach Aubrey Pleasant for their defensive coordinator job.
McVay said that he has spoken with tight ends coach Nick Caley about some interest from the New York Jets for their offensive coordinator job, but no formal interview has been requested.