The Los Angeles Rams have renewed playoff and championship chatter in the City of Angels following their return to the postseason in 2023.
Just one offseason ago, the Rams faced a bevy of questions as they featured one of the youngest rosters in the NFL.
Even with greater expectations in place than a year ago, there are still plenty of unanswered questions for the Rams going into this season.
Unanswered Questions Ahead of Los Angeles Rams Training Camp
From replacing a franchise legend all the way to prized members of the 2021 Super Bowl team aiming to regain form, here are the five biggest questions the Rams currently face.
How Much Longer Will Rams Fans See Matthew Stafford?
Stafford has been everything the Rams asked for since that blockbuster January 2022 trade, which involved a QB swap with the Detroit Lions. Stafford has two playoff appearances and, of course, the Super Bowl 56 title in Los Angeles.
Stafford, however, is facing more than just lingering contract questions that surfaced during voluntary workouts. He’s battling Father Time as he turned 36 in February. Stafford has also struggled to stay healthy the last two seasons — losing much of his 2022 campaign to spinal cord contusion and, in 2023, he dealt with a thumb sprain and hip strain.
When Stafford is healthy, the Rams’ offense is a well-oiled machine that’s capable of ranking in the top 10 for total yards.
His current contract surfaced as a topic of discussion during the offseason, as Stafford doesn’t have guaranteed money in place after 2024. But as theories of a potential holdout surfaced among fans, Stafford showed up for May and June voluntary workouts. Furthermore, head coach Sean McVay told reporters he believes Stafford will report and carry on like he’s normally done with the Rams, all while he awaits a renewed deal.
The biggest question, though, is how much longer Stafford can thrive at a high level. Fans who watch camp at Loyola Marymount will get an early chance to see if he’s still got the same strength left in his famed right arm that he had last season.
How Will Rams Defense Look Without Aaron Donald?
Ram fans already know this will be the first camp without Aaron Donald.
The legendary Rams defender, who snatched three NFL Defensive Player of the Year Awards and a Super Bowl ring, announced his retirement this offseason. By walking away, he swings open a door for a new Rams defensive leader to emerge.
Is there anyone lined up to handle the mantle Donald leaves behind ahead of camp?
The Rams already have Kobie Turner to look forward to for years to come, and he paced the team with nine sacks last year. “The Conductor” wasn’t the only prized 2023 rookie who stepped up for L.A., as fellow draft mate Byron Young snatched eight sacks.
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But the Rams proved they weren’t content with relying on Turner and Young, turning to the draft to select prized Florida State defenders Jared Verse and Braden Fiske in the first and second rounds, respectively, to further bolster the trenches.
The former is projected to contend for Defensive Rookie of the Year by PFN, while the latter is expected to get plugged into Donald’s old spot in the trenches and comes with a “hyper-elite motor,” per PFN’s Ian Cummings.
The franchise has also witnessed ascending production out of Ernest Jones. Since coming to L.A. as a third-rounder in 2021, all Jones has done is win a Super Bowl and improve his tackle numbers.
Can Cooper Kupp Stay Healthy and Regain 2021 Form?
Not long ago, Kupp shredded defenses with 145 receptions, 1,947 yards, and 16 touchdowns — all before snatching the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl 56. He was then rewarded with a three-year, $80.1 million deal in June 2022.
But since signing his extension after his dominating ’21 season, Kupp has struggled to stay healthy. He’s played no more than 12 regular-season contests each of the last two years, which has diminished his production. The Super Bowl 56 MVP hasn’t surpassed 75 catches, 812 yards, or six touchdowns since agreeing to the deal.
Then, Puka Nacua gave Rams fans a sample of his future stardom one year ago, leading into his 105-catch, 1,486-yard Pro Bowl campaign.
Does this now mean the WRs, considered the heart of the Rams’ offense, are now led by the 2023 fifth-round selection? Or is Kupp still the heart and soul of this unit?
Even after Nacua’s huge rookie debut, the offense still gets funneled to Kupp. He remains the main key that starts the Rams’ ignition. But this upcoming camp will give Rams fans a chance to see how healthy Kupp looks and if he’s ready to recapture his former Pro Bowl self.
When Will Ernest Jones Also Receive a New Deal?
Stafford isn’t the only contract situation gaining attention with the Rams.
Jones has stepped up as one of the new leaders of the Rams defense, especially after learning from Super Bowl winners Von Miller and Bobby Wagner for his first two NFL campaigns. But Jones is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
Jones’ value is already bound to increase after registering 145 tackles in 2023. He’s increased his tackle production each season. He also delivered 14 tackles for loss.
Jones, though, remains on his $4.7 million rookie deal and is up for an extension. The good news is that Jones is likely to report to camp.
Still, the burning question with Jones will be when will the Rams work on his new deal and if it’ll mean negotiating during camp.
How Will Blake Corum Fit Inside a Pro Bowl-led RB Room?
Kyren Williams went from 2022 fifth-rounder to 1,144-yard, 12-touchdown running back last season. And he supplanted former RB1 Cam Akers to lead the ground game charge.
However, the Rams selected Blake Corum, a national champion out of Michigan, in the 2024 draft, and Corum went much higher than Williams as the 83rd overall pick.
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Corum is fresh off a dominating 27-touchdown national title run in Ann Arbor. Corum’s selection also comes amid Williams’ history of injuries. He dealt with a high ankle sprain and hip strain during his ’23 campaign.
Corum, though, is viewed more as a depth piece next to Williams. Los Angeles has already struggled with finding a true, reliable complimentary back since their ’21 championship run.
Count on McVay and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to design plays specifically for Corum when Williams needs rest.