Matthew Stafford’s first season with Los Angeles culminated with the Rams winning the Super Bowl. Stafford’s second season was not the encore performance he or the Rams had hoped for.
Stafford battled through injury and an ineffective offensive line in 2023. The Rams did not live up to expectations, faltering well below a repeat Super Bowl performance as Los Angeles failed to make the playoffs.
Stafford and head coach Sean McVay return to right the ship in 2023. What can we expect from Stafford and the Rams in their final preseason game?
Is Matthew Stafford Playing Against the Denver Broncos?
Hell would have to freeze over for Stafford to play tonight. He is managing his reps and taking care of his body to withstand an arduous NFL regular season.
Sean McVay: As long as I'm here, Matthew Stafford will never play in the preseason. https://t.co/V298AFf4dW
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 6, 2021
What could the Rams possibly benefit from by playing their veteran signal-caller? Only bad things could happen if Stafford were to suit up during the Rams’ final preseason affair.
What To Expect From the Rams in Preseason Week 3
Expect to see few starters, if any, during the Rams’ final preseason contest. The Rams were as banged up as any team in the NFL in 2022, and their success hinges on a return to health in 2023. They are a veteran team, so injury management is even more paramount.
@Chris_Broussard @kevinwildes @getnickwright Matthew Stafford won a Super Bowl in his first year with a new team AND the Rams didn’t play starters in that preseason or any of the 5 McVay seasons that included playoffs and 2 Super Bowl appearances.
— LARams4evr (@Jrodlaca) August 21, 2023
Expect to see Stetson Bennett, the impressive rookie signal-caller who has guided the Rams offense just as he did during his collegiate career at the University of Georgia, leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back national titles.
Also expect McVay to focus on the run game, establishing their identity while identifying quality depth at the RB position behind Cam Akers and Kyren Williams.
What To Expect From Stafford in 2023
Reportedly, Stafford feels as healthy as he has in several seasons. If true, this is a refreshing turn of events following a 2022 campaign where the Rams QB was beaten up all season.
When healthy, Stafford can still sling the ball as well as any QB in the league. Stafford’s arm strength and ability has never been questioned before and is not a question now.
Matthew Stafford cooking the bengals with one receiver and no run game doesn’t get talked about enough.
— Cam✨SBLVI CHAMPIONS (@RamsWRLD_) August 24, 2023
The Rams remain a quality team but lack depth, so staying healthy has to be part of the equation if Los Angeles wants to make another run at a Super Bowl.
Expect Stafford to pair with veteran receiver Cooper Kupp to form one of the most dynamic combinations in the NFL. Can the Rams, under Stafford, turn back the hands of time and make one more run?