Rapoport: Matthew Stafford returning to practice is a 'very, very big deal'
It felt like an eternity between the start of Los Angeles Rams training camp and Matthew Stafford's first practice on Monday. The veteran quarterback had been sidelined by a back injury for nearly a month but he returned to the field for the first time Monday.
As pleased as Sean McVay was to have his guy running the offense again, he tempered expectations after practice by saying the Rams are still taking it a day at a time with Stafford and there's no certainty he'll be ready for Week 1.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network was more optimistic about this development. He considers it a big deal that Stafford was able to practice.
'The fact that QB1 for the Rams was on the field yesterday was a very, very big deal,' Rapoport said on 'Good Morning Football' Tuesday. 'Cannot possibly overstate this. This is really what we've been waiting for over the last several weeks for Matthew Stafford.'
Rapoport indicated that the goal now is for Stafford to practice consistently without suffering any setbacks. He worked out last weekend before the Rams' game against the Cowboys but was unable to practice on Monday.
It sounds like he did indeed hold a workout on Saturday, which must've gone well because he felt good enough to practice two days later, unlike last week.
'The Rams were just trying to get to a point where they got some improvement, got some positive momentum for his back and he was able to practice,' Rapoport said. 'The fact he was able to do it yesterday is an excellent sign. He didn't do 60 throws, it was more like in the 20s. They took it real easy on him because the goal is not to go out and play a game. He's not going to go out and play a game tomorrow. The goal is to get him back on the practice field at some point soon. Maybe it's today, maybe it's tomorrow. The hope is no setbacks, improvement, and Stafford is able to be upright for Week 1.'
All eyes are on the season opener against the Texans on Sept. 7, a game the Rams hope Stafford can play in. If not, it'll be Jimmy Garoppolo as the starter and Stetson Bennett as his backup.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Could Stetson Bennett become trade bait?
Stetson Bennett has turned in a productive NFL preseason, leading the NFL in passing yards (512), fifth in passer rating (105.7), first in passing touchdowns (5), and seventh in completion percentage (68.8) through two games. In Week 2 of the preseason, he led a two minute drive to complete a 4th QC and GW drive against the Los Angeles Chargers. For the Los Angeles Rams, he will inevitably serve as the team's third string quarterback behind veterans Matthew Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo. This begs the questions though of: 1) could Stetson Bennet be a starting quarterback for another NFL team and 2) what compensation could the Rams receive for Bennett? The answer to the first question is relatively easy to answer. Let's look at the NFL starting quarterbacks currently in their respective tiers… Tier 1 is the NFL's hierarchy and Stetson Bennett stands 0% chance of winning the starting job on KC, CIN, BUF, WAS, and BAL's team. Tier 2 features a pair of Super Bowl winners and three young franchise quarterbacks that are cemented into their role. The only question surrounding them is if they can win it all. None of the quarterbacks in Tier 3 have won a Super Bowl. But a respectable amount of the population feel strongly that they can get their team there. I still don't think Stetson Bennett can supplant any of these five starters. Tier 4 is a pair of quarterbacks whose prime seems to have come and gone. But both franchises seem against the idea of starting young at the quarterback position. While Prescott lacks a clutch factor and Rodgers has aged, both are still supreme to Stetson Bennett. Tier 5 is finally where Stetson Bennett could begin to challenge an NFL starting quarterback. Drake Maye, Trevor Lawrence, and Michael Penix Jr are more talented but Tua Tagovailoa is a quarterback that has relied on scheme to win. Thanks to Mike McDaniel, the Miami Dolphins have been able to get the most out of Tua Tagovailoa but we've seen the games where Tua crumbles (literally). Tier 6 features four first rounders (three of which are No. 1 overall picks). These quarterbacks are going to be given every chance to prove themselves because of the draft capital used on them. However none of them have shown any remarkable ability so far. The final tier is a hot mess. Sam Darnold played great for most of 2024 but the way he ended the season made teams question his true potential. Russell Wilson is barely holding onto a job. The New York Jets continue to rotate quarterbacks on a yearly basis. The Cleveland Browns are relying on 40 year old Joe Flacco. Anthony Richardson was benched last year by the Indianapolis Colts. And the New Orleans Saints seem ready to name Tyler Shough QB1 for Week 1. Other than Sam Darnold, Stetson Bennett is capable of competing as the starting quarterback for those five NFL franchises. Conclusion Yes, Stetson Bennett is playing against backups and players trying to make an NFL roster. However, he did face off against some starters from the Los Angeles Chargers defense. Not to mention, Bennett is playing behind a second string/third string offensive line and using WR5 and WR6 as his best targeting options. Sean McVay's offense does afford Bennett can opportunity to thrive but at this point Bennett deserves as much of an opportunity as Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Joe Flacco, Anthony Richardson, and Tyler Shough. An experiment with Stetson Bennett on one of these teams might not last very long because of his limited ceiling but I don't think the Giants, Jets, Browns, Colts, and Saints are going anywhere with their current options. Bennett could stand to prove his footwork as he has a tendency to open his lead foot; rotating to the left. This leads to two things: 1) the ball having less zip to its intended placement and 2) the direction of the throw being left arm side. In the video on the top right X account below, the defender nearly records a pick six because of this exact issue… If Stetson Bennett can clean up this issue, I think he can continue to polish his game into a quarterback worthy of starting in the NFL for a franchise one day. It may not be for long… but an opportunity like that is priceless.
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
NFL insider predicts Rams move on from Matthew Stafford in 2026
The future of Matthew Stafford will once again be a featured storyline in 2026, no matter how the Rams' 2025 season ends. Stafford will be 38 next year and we'll know by then how his back held up during the season. His contract situation will also be a point of intrigue, considering he won't have any guaranteed money in 2026. So, if the Rams wanted to, they could move on from him before next season. This is what ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano predicts will happen with Stafford and the Rams. He wrote that L.A. will be one of several teams to change quarterbacks next year and laid out two scenarios in which this could occur for the Rams. The "most likely" scenario is that Stafford plays in 2025, the Rams make the playoffs and maybe make the Super Bowl. But at the end of the year, they decide to move on instead of re-upping his contract. The "long shot" outcome for Graziano is that Stafford misses time, the Rams play Jimmy Garoppolo or Stetson Bennett and miss the playoffs. That would make moving on easier. In both timelines, Graziano sees the Rams drafting a quarterback in 2026 — either with one of the first-round picks or with a big trade-up to No. 1 overall selection. Another idea he had, though, is adding a veteran journeyman like Mac Jones or Malik Willis to compete with the rookie in camp. Again, these are all hypothetical outcomes for a future that cannot be predicted yet. The 2025 season hasn't started yet and Stafford is back practicing. However, Sean McVay and Les Sean need to start thinking about the future of the position, and the 37-year-old won't be it for much longer.
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Dan Orlovsky Reveals Who Rams Should Target to Replace Matthew Stafford
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Los Angeles Rams are facing a lot of uncertainty when it comes to veteran star quarterback Matthew Stafford. He has missed practice and preseason action due to a back injury that has been ailing him. Stafford is no longer a young quarterback. Entering the 2025 NFL season, he is 37 years old. Injuries can be much more impactful at this stage of a career. Depending on how things go for Stafford, the Rams might need a long-term replacement for him. Even if he does bounce back from the injury and plays this season, Los Angeles will need a long-term quarterback after Stafford retires. Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams before the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Inglewood, California. Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams before the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Inglewood, California. Photo byOne option might have become available for the Rams to look into. Read more: Colts' Shane Steichen Makes Stunning Admission About Anthony Richardson Former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky has suggested a possible trade fit for Los Angeles. He thinks that the Rams are one of the teams that should try to trade for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. Of course, Richardson just lost out on the Colts' starting job to Daniel Jones. With how things have gone for him in Indianapolis, it seems possible that Richardson could request some kind of trade. In a post on X, Orlovsky shared that he thinks Los Angeles, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Philadelphia Eagles are three teams that should consider the move. Teams that should offer the Colts a mid-round pick for Anthony Richardson today... Eagles Rams Vikings@PaulHembo 🤝 — Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) August 20, 2025 Looking closer at the suggestion from a Rams' perspective, it makes perfect sense. Richardson would be able to sit and learn from the sideline during the 2025 season and then potentially take over next year. While things haven't gone as planned with the Colts, Richardson is still an extremely talented player. He has a cannon for an arm and the ability to make plays on the ground. More work is needed, but he has the ability to become special. Read more: Report: 49ers Looking Into Potential Preseason Trade Through his first two seasons and 15 games, Richardson has completed 50.6 percent of his pass attempts for 2,391 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, while also running for 635 yards and 10 touchdowns. Will Richardson hit the trade block? That remains to be seen. If he does, Los Angeles could make a lot of sense as a possible trade destination. For more on the Los Angeles Rams and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
