The Los Angeles Rams need to fill the backup quarterback position behind Matthew Stafford, but the club isn't feeling pressure to find a long-term plan. For now, they're content to ride the reigning NFL MVP as long as he's willing to go.
Earlier this week, general manager Les Snead was asked, given that the 38-year-old quarterback could walk away any year, whether he was concerned about an eventual transition plan -- Ã la a Brett Favre-to-Aaron Rodgers-to-Jordan Love situation.
"I think I've mentioned it before," Snead said, . "We're always working through the scenarios. We're well aware Matthew's closer to retirement than not. Matthew and I had a fun text chain or call the night that Philip Rivers was playing a Thursday night game. He was on date night, and I'm like, 'This guy's 44.' That was a joking thing, but let's call it like it is. We've all been honest on that. We're not desperate to. That's always a possibility, but it's not a desperate matter."
At this point, the question about Stafford's future will take place after every season. That's simply how things work for an 18-year veteran who has spent nearly half his life in the NFL (set to hit 47% in 2026).
For now, the Rams are focused on milking the most out of those years until Stafford retires.
That mentality was underscored in trading away their second first-round pick and three other selections for cornerback Trent McDuffie . They're much less likely to select a QB of the future early in the draft. Instead, Snead can use the No. 13 pick to fill holes on a solid roster, while worrying about an eventual torch passing some other time.
"I'm not naive to how rare that is," coach Sean McVay said, echoing Snead's thoughts on Stafford. "All those things weigh into it. I think he's said it a lot. I think with the time Matthew missed last year, and it was such a cool reflection of his humility and just what a great, aware person Matthew is. It was tremendously valuable to have Jimmy (Garoppolo) take those reps. Where now, our defense that he's going against and the other 10 around him are still able to progress and be able to advance in a way that is reflective of how we want to operate. You better have somebody you feel really good about that can… whether Matthew is not able to go, can they play? Then looking towards the future but how we want to be able to approach it? That position is so vital for us to be able to allow Matthew to be at his best. That's why Jimmy was so important for us the last two years."
With Garoppolo slated for free agency and potentially heading to a land where he could actually compete for playing time, the Rams are in need of a replacement backup. The good news is that as long as McVay resides in the big chair, there should be/will be veteran quarterbacks who want to work in L.A. -- even if they know they wouldn't start, barring injury. It's a place where a vet can go to rehab his reputation and learn a thing or two from one of the best minds in the game.
Lombardies are at a premium. The Rams are right to prioritize chasing them now and worrying about a transition plan later. After all, for all the respect the football world has for the Favre-Rodgers-Love transition, the Packers have two Super Bowl wins since 1996. The Rams, far less stable under center, have the same number of Lombardi Trophies over that span.
