Rams named as potential trade suitor for two backup QBs
With Matthew Stafford still sitting out of training camp with a back injury, the Rams have been relying on Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett to lead the offense. The team also signed Dresser Winn as a camp body, but he isn't a real threat to the Rams' third quarterback spot.
Garoppolo is the entrenched backup to Stafford, but the Rams could look to add a more experienced name to fill out the room in place of Bennett or Winn. Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox listed the Rams as the potential trade partner for two veteran quarterbacks this summer: Mac Jones and Malik Willis.
Knox picked Jones and Willis as possible heirs to Stafford's role in L.A., too, if the Rams don't want to stick with Garoppolo long-term or draft a rookie in 2026. Both Jones and Willis have experience in a McVay-style offense, making them attractive options if the Rams want to give themselves options.
The Los Angeles Rams don't have a successor to Matthew Stafford in place, and Jones could be a strong candidate for that role. He doesn't possess Stafford's raw arm strength, but when at his best, Jones has shown impressive accuracy and timing. Those traits would mesh with a Sean McVay spacing-based offense that is quite similar to Shanahan's conceptually.
The Rams should have some interest in Willis as a potential heir to Stafford. While his play style is different than Stafford's, he's flashed in a LaFleur offense that is similar to McVay's—LaFleur was the Rams' offensive coordinator in 2017.
Neither option would be a great option for the Rams' future given their career thus far, but both are solid short-term options if they're brought in this year to sit behind Stafford and Garoppolo.
Jones, the former No. 15 pick in 2021, signed with the San Francisco 49ers this offseason after he spent the 2024 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He completed 65.3% of his passes for 1,672 yards, eight touchdowns and eight interceptions in seven games in 2024. He began his career with the New England Patriots from 2021 to 2023, where he completed 66.1% of his passes for 8,918 yards, 46 touchdowns and 38 interceptions in 42 games. After a Pro Bowl season in 2021, Jones was benched throughout the 2023 season.
As for Willis, he's been a career backup in the NFL. He was a third-round pick in 2022 and spent his first two years with the Tennessee Titans. Willis played in just 11 games during those years and completed 55.3% of his passes for just 350 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. He went 2-0 with the Green Bay Packers in 2024, though, when Jordan Love suffered an injury. Willis completed 74.1% of his passes for 550 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in seven total games.
Willis might be the better option given he excelled in the Packers offense, but it's still a risk given his time with the Titans. But if the price is right, it's worth a shot for McVay and Les Snead.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Steelers countdown to kickoff — No. 36: a history of the number and who wore it best
The Steelers countdown to kickoff is here — and we're at 36 days until Pittsburgh faces off against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. In the spirit of the countdown, we're taking a look at the history of No. 36 and the players who wore it best. Current Steelers No. 36 wearer: N/A There isn't a player currently wearing No. 36 on the Steelers roster — and for good reason, as the number was unofficially retired out of respect for one of the greatest running backs in franchise history. Last five Steelers to wear No. 36: Best No. 36 in Steelers history: RB Jerome Bettis The Bus, one of the greatest power running backs of all time, and the best Steeler to ever wear No. 36 — Jerome Bettis' legacy is untouchable. Selected by the Rams with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 1993 NFL Draft, Bettis would play just three seasons before being traded to Pittsburgh in 1996 — a blockbuster move that would be forever etched in the heart of the Steel City faithful. During his 10 years as a Steeler, Bettis produced 10,571 rushing yards, 78 rushing touchdowns, 806 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns. Over the course of his 13-year career in the NFL, Bettis was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1993 and NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 1996, as well as earning six Pro Bowl nominations, two First-Team All-Pro selections, and one Second-Team All-Pro selection. He would retire on top of the world — winning a Super Bowl in his hometown of Detroit as the final Bus stop of a fruitful career. Bettis was also named Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2001 — proving he was more than just one of the greatest running backs of all time, he was also an amazing human being. Bettis is recognized as one of the greatest Steelers running backs in franchise history, being named to the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team and the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor. He entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015 — a pioneer of the rushing attack who never shied away from believing in his own abilities. There will never be another running back like Bettis — and there is no Steeler more befitting of the greatest to ever wear No. 36. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
Two ex-Commanders want Terry McLaurin in Hollywood
😭😭🤔🤔 So, did two former Washington players take a social media shot at the Commanders? Learning that veteran wide receiver Terry McLaurin had requested a trade, former Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes took to X (formerly Twitter) and posted the following: As you can see, Forbes, a corner, was actually responding to another former Commander, safety Kam Curl. The two were teammates with the Commanders in 2023 when the defense was at or near the bottom in most defensive categories, as the Commanders lost their final eight games, several by blowouts, surrendering the most points in the NFL that season. Consequently, Curl essentially said he would like McLaurin to come to the Rams. Curl hinted that he would like to have McLaurin again as a teammate, which is commendable, no harm, no foul. Curl had some success in Washington. A seventh-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, he ignited hope that he might develop into a player the Commanders would re-sign to a second contract. However, Curl proved to be very ineffective, offering little force in the dreadful 2023 season. The 2023 film being the last the new regime had on Curl, they understandably chose to allow Curl to leave and sign elsewhere as a free agent. Curl therefore did not receive nearly the contract value that two years earlier it was believed he would earn. Thus, he was signed by the Rams to a reported two-year deal for an APY of $4.4M. Curl did work his way into the starting lineup, starting 16 games for Los Angeles in 2024. Forbes, on the other hand, was tweeting that he was laughing so hard he was crying, pondering perhaps if McLaurin could also become a Ram. Maybe he meant he was considering what was transpiring in Washington? We just don't know. Curl, though he didn't develop into what his first season imagined could occur, was a starter for the Rams, a playoff team last year. BTW, keep in mind the Rams gave the Eagles their toughest contest in the playoffs last season. Curl also had a career high in passes defended (9) and forced fumbles (2). Surely Forbes has not already forgotten that he could not even finish his second season in the NFL with Washington? He couldn't play special teams, he couldn't play the run, he didn't defend well in coverage at all, and with no role, the Commanders were forced to either keep him inactive each week or release Forbes, bringing in someone else who could have a role on the team. So they released Forbes. The Rams claimed him, he played in two games, starting one. Was Forbes laughing at what has happened in Washington, because he is glad there is friction as McLaurin wants out of Ashburn? For Forbes to be laughing, when he has enough work to do to perhaps even keep a roster spot with the Rams this year, raises the question, "How aware is Forbes of his NFL reality, right now?" Actually, I don't for a minute believe that Forbes is mocking Washington or being mean-spirited. Based on the evidence from Forbes' 1.5 seasons with the Commanders, he demonstrated friendliness, kindness, and good sportsmanship. In fact, do you recall how when the Commanders connected on the 'Hail Mary' to defeat the Bears, there was film of Forbes out on the field actually being kind to two of the Bears remaining seated on the turf, as the Commanders were jumping for joy, ecstatic with the unbelievable win. Here it is: Emmanuel Forbes Jr didn't get enough credit for his display of sportsmanship. #RaiseHail So, perhaps Forbes' tweet is nothing more than an immature guy who doesn't yet realize the best thing for him to do is stay off of social media, engaging all his energy and focus on attempting to improve enough to remain in the league and on a 53-man roster this season.
USA Today
5 hours ago
- USA Today
Steelers' Darnell Washington defeats T.J. Watt, three other defenders in backs-on-backers
Backs-on-backers, an iconic Steelers training camp tradition where the pass-blocking skills of running backs and tight ends are put to the test — and Darnell Washington just passed with flying colors. At Friday Night Lights Practice, there was arguably no greater performance during the backs-on-backers drill than Washington, who reportedly defeated Jack Sawyer, DeMarvin Leal, Alex Highsmith, and the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback, T.J. Watt. Coming out of college, Washington was billed as the best pass-blocking tight end of the 2023 NFL Draft class — and the Steelers didn't think twice when he dropped all the way to the third round. Many predicted a Year 3 breakout for the huge Steelers tight end — but the acquisition of Pro Bowl TE Jonnu Smith put a damper on expectations. Clearly, Washington is ready for whatever challenges lie ahead — set out to prove that Smith and Pat Freiermuth aren't the only tight ends opposing defenses should worry about this season. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
