Matthew Stafford
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Woodland Hills, CA - June 03: Rams head coach Sean McVay, left, talks to quarterback Matthew Stafford during practice at Rams' Organized Team Activities at the Rams training facility in Woodland Hills Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Rams may have finished last season at 10-7, but they walk into 2025 with one of the most fascinating roster makeovers in the NFC. And it all starts with the Davante Adams addition.
“Optimism felt sky-high earlier in the offseason after the Rams agreed to year-to-year terms with star quarterback Matthew Stafford, signed receiver Davante Adams and run-stopping defensive tackle Poona Ford, and extended starting left tackle Alaric Jackson, all that after head coach Sean McVay kept both offensive and defensive coordinators for the first time in in his career. But Stafford missed almost all of training camp while dealing with an aggravated disc and Jackson missed that entire period while receiving treatment for blood clots. It’s fair for fans to worry about these things, even if the organization’s decision-makers swear they aren’t. McVay believes he could win several games with backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and a revitalized run game (with leading rusher Kyren Williams the fresh recipient of a three-year contract extension), but there isn’t an arm quite like Stafford’s in the NFL.”
A Reset at Wide Receiver
For the first time in a decade, the Rams offense will line up without Cooper Kupp. That’s no small loss. But Adams offers something different — true X-receiver dominance that allows the rest of the receiving corps to settle into more natural roles.
Pair him with Matthew Stafford’s arm talent (if healthy) and suddenly McVay has the ability to reimagine his attack. We saw what happened in 2021 when Stafford had Kupp at the peak of his powers: the Rams spread defenses thin, played out of empty, and leaned into Stafford’s ability to rip throws into tight windows. Adams brings that same coverage-distorting element.
Of course, all of this hinges on Stafford’s back. He missed nearly all of camp with an aggravated disc injury, and while the team has expressed confidence, it’s hard not to worry. Backup Jimmy Garoppolo can steady the ship, but there isn’t another quarterback in football with Stafford’s combination of arm talent and fearlessness.
If Stafford holds up, Adams could unlock a version of McVay’s offense we haven’t seen in years. If not, the entire ceiling of this team takes a hit.
Defense Still Has to Hold Up
On the other side, the Rams invested in their run defense by signing Poona Ford and reshaping the linebacker group around Nate Landman. But the real questions sit in the secondary. With Ahkello Witherspoon (30) and Darious Williams (32) as the top corners, the Rams are banking on their young pass rush to carry the load and prevent quarterbacks from exploiting coverage mismatches.
That’s a lot of pressure, but McVay’s track record of developing defensive pieces and creating complementary football is what gives this roster hope.
The Rams are built around a razor’s edge of health and star power. Stafford needs to stay upright. Adams needs to be the dominant X they’ve lacked since their Super Bowl run. And McVay has to once again find the balance between creativity and efficiency.
If all of that clicks, Adams could be the spark that gets L.A. back to playing the kind of offense that makes them a Super Bowl contender.