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USA Today
19-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
3 things that could make or break the Rams' NFC West title defense
3 things that could make or break the Rams' NFC West title defense The Rams won the NFC West in 2024, but staying on top won't be easy After returning to the playoffs in 2023, the Los Angeles Rams exceeded expectations in 2024 and reclaimed the NFC West crown for the first time since 2021. Los Angeles now enters the 2025 season with momentum, but also with pressure to stay atop a division that saw only the Rams play in January off a 10-7 record following a 1-4 start and it wasn't until Week 14 that the team managed to get over .500. To stay on top, Sean McVay's team must address three critical areas that could make or break their bid for back-to-back division titles. Keep QB Matthew Stafford clean on the blind side The Rams' offense goes as far as Stafford can take it, but only if he's upright. The 37-year-old signal caller was protected fairly well last season, having been sacked 38 times, which was tied for 13th fewest, but questions now swirl around the left tackle spot. Alaric Jackson, who signed a three-year, $57.75 million contract extension back in February, is battling blood clots that have now cast doubt on his availability. While D.J. Humphries was signed as insurance, he's two years removed from an ACL tear suffered late during the 2023 season and also injured his hamstring as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs last year. Behind him, depth is thin. This means the Rams must either trust Humphries or veteran David Quessenberry, who the Rams signed back in May to a one-year deal, to be a full-time solution. If the left tackle position becomes an issue, Stafford's efficiency and this offense's explosiveness could take a hit. Get the Stafford-Adams connection rolling The Rams made one of the splashiest moves of the offseason by bringing in All-Pro WR Davante Adams. But a bold move only pays off if the chemistry follows. Replacing a franchise great in Cooper Kupp isn't about swapping targets, it's about recalibrating the offense. Adams thrives in isolation routes, crisp timing, and red-zone precision. That demands a new layer of McVay's playbook and fast-track chemistry with Stafford. Suppose the Rams can't quickly build a rhythm between Stafford and Adams. In that case, they risk becoming predictable, or worse, inefficient, against elite defenses like San Francisco, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, who all loom on L.A.'s 2025 schedule. Reinforce the secondary While the front seven has promising talents like Jared Verse, last years defensive rookie of the year, Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner, the Rams' secondary remains a glaring concern. In the defensive backfield, they've ranked 20th the past two seasons in passing defense, allowing 231.1 yards per game in 2023 and 223.1 yards in 2024, while also ranking middle of the pack in passing yards allowed per attempt at 6.7 last season and despite having a pair of solid veterans in Ahkello Witherspoon and Darious Williams, they have yet to land a proven CB1 for 2025. The options? Bring in a veteran like Stephon Gilmore. Make a splash by trading for Jalen Ramsey, or bank on internal growth from players like Cobie Durant, who finished with 40 tackles, eight deflections, and an interception last season. Without a stable boundary presence, the Rams could continue to be vulnerable against the NFC West's improved passing attacks. Bottom Line The Rams have the roster to run the West. But every contender has soft spots. If L.A. can patch the left tackle situation, turn Adams into an every-week weapon, and fix their secondary leaks, the road to the NFC West still runs through Inglewood. If not? The door could swing wide open for the 49ers, Seahawks, or Cardinals to crash the party.
USA Today
16-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
LA Rams news: Aaron Rodgers, joint practice and more stories for Cardinals fans to know
LA Rams news: Aaron Rodgers, joint practice and more stories for Cardinals fans to know Checking in on the NFC West with a few stories from the last week for Cardinals fans to know about the division rival Rams. We have made it through another week of the offseason, now 12 weeks from Week 1. It is time to check in with the rest of the NFC West and see what is happening with the Arizona Cardinals' division rivals — the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. What has been going on with the Rams? Below are some stories from the last week about them that Cardinals fans should know. Rams considered getting Aaron Rodgers The Rams got Matthew Stafford to agree to a new contract, but because there was the possibility that he left, the Rams considered other options. Had he gone elsewhere, they were prepared to pursue Rodgers, who signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Joint practice scheduled The Cardinals have a joint practice with the Denver Broncos in the second week of the preseason. The Rams will hold a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys in Oxnard, CA leading up to their preseason opener at home. Starting LT has health issues The Rams signed former Cardinals first-round pick D.J. Humphries this week and it was for a good reason. Starting left tackle Alaric Jackson is dealing with blood clots for the second time in his career. His status for this season is a little in the air now. OTAs takeaways The Rams concluded voluntary OTAs last week. Among the takeaways from their voluntary work, CB Emmanuel Forbes is bigger, DL LBraden Fiske's knee is fine and RB Kyren Williams is working on a new contract with the team. Rams save millions in cap-saving move The Rams cut ties with cornerback Derion Kendrick. He missed all last season with a torn ACL. The move saves the Rams more than $3 million in cap space. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Report: Rams to trade Jonah Jackson to Bears
The Rams have found a trade partner for offensive lineman Jonah Jackson. Per Courtney Cronin of ESPN, Los Angeles has agreed to trade Jackson to Chicago in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2025. The deal cannot become official until the start of the new league year next week. Jackson, 28, signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Rams in free agency last season. But after suffering an injury early in the season, Jackson was benched once he was healthy to keep the Rams' starting five up front more consistent. It was reported last week that L.A. had given Jackson permission to seek a trade. Jackson started a total of four games in 2024, including the team's Week 18 game where head coach Sean McVay elected to rest most starters. The Lions selected Jackson in the third round of the 2020 draft. He was a Pro Bowler in 2021 after starting 16 games at guard that season. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Bears will take on Jackson's full contract. He is slated to make $17.5 million total in 2025 and will also be under contract in 2026. With the trade, the Bears have addressed a key need along their offensive line before the start of free agency.
NBC Sports
04-03-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Report: Rams to trade Jonah Jackson to Bears
The Rams have found a trade partner for offensive lineman Jonah Jackson. Per Courtney Cronin of ESPN, Los Angeles has agreed to trade Jackson to Chicago in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2025. The deal cannot become official until the start of the new league year next week. Jackson, 28, signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Rams in free agency last season. But after suffering an injury early in the season, Jackson was benched once he was healthy to keep the Rams' starting five up front more consistent. It was reported last week that L.A. had given Jackson permission to seek a trade. Jackson started a total of four games in 2024, including the team's Week 18 game where head coach Sean McVay elected to rest most starters. The Lions selected Jackson in the third round of the 2020 draft. He was a Pro Bowler in 2021 after starting 16 games at guard that season. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Bears will take on Jackson's full contract. He is slated to make $17.5 million total in 2025 and will also be under contract in 2026. With the trade, the Bears have addressed a key need along their offensive line before the start of free agency.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Raiders favorite to be Matthew Stafford's next team should Rams trade QB
The Rams may or may not be trading former Super Bowl champion QB Matt Stafford. But if they do, they are said to be asking for a first round pick. Would the Raiders be interested in such a deal? The oddsmakers seem to think so. You'd have to think if the Raiders were to send a first round pick to LA for the 37-year-old, it wouldn't be this year's pick. If only because the sixth overall pick is a steep price for an aging QB likely on his last contract. And the contract he is looking for will be pricey. Then again, what price -- both in terms of draft compensation and contract dollars -- would you pay for a few years of a proven starting QB? It's an intriguing thought. While the oddsmakers favor Stafford staying in LA, should they move him, the Raiders top the list of potential trade partners. Here is the list of the current odds for what team Stafford will play for in 2025 (via BetUS): Odds: -200. Odds: +300. Odds: +500. Odds: +600. Odds: +700. This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders favorite to be Matthew Stafford's next team should Rams trade QB
