The Los Angeles Rams are in an enviable position right now. With Sean McVay at the helm and a roster that’s once again knocking on the door of the Super Bowl, this doesn’t look like a team in desperate need of a quarterback. But as any seasoned NFL observer knows, the best franchises don’t wait for the cliff-they prepare for it before they even see the edge.
Matthew Stafford, now 37, has been everything the Rams hoped for when they brought him in. He delivered a Super Bowl, continues to play at a high level, and has become the steady veteran presence every contending team needs under center.
But time, as it always does, is ticking. And the Rams would be wise to start thinking about what life after Stafford might look like.
That’s where things get interesting.
There’s growing buzz around the idea that Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray could be on the move this offseason. And according to recent analysis, the Rams might just be the ideal landing spot for the former No. 1 overall pick-if the situation unfolds the right way.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about replacing Stafford tomorrow. It’s about building a bridge to the future while maintaining the present.
Murray, still just 28, is a high-upside talent who’s shown flashes of brilliance in Arizona. He’s also had his share of setbacks-injuries, inconsistency, and questions about his long-term fit with the Cardinals’ current direction.
But under the right coach, in the right system, there’s still plenty of untapped potential.
Enter Sean McVay.
We’ve seen what McVay can do with quarterbacks. He revived Baker Mayfield’s career in a matter of weeks.
He turned Jared Goff into a Super Bowl starter. Now imagine what he could do with a dual-threat talent like Murray, who brings a completely different dynamic with his legs and arm talent.
If Murray is looking to reset his career and rebuild his value, there might not be a better place than L.A.
Of course, the biggest hurdle here isn’t scheme fit or opportunity-it’s money.
Murray’s contract is a massive one, and the Rams aren’t in the business of paying backup quarterbacks top-tier starter money. They’re built to win now, and every dollar counts when you’re trying to keep a championship window open. So unless Arizona finds a trade partner willing to take on that deal (which seems unlikely), the only real path to Murray landing in Los Angeles would be via release.
If the Cardinals decide to cut Murray with a post-June 1 designation, they’d save $5.7 million in cap space. That’s not nothing, but it’s also not easy to swallow when you consider the dead money involved. Ownership would have to be willing to eat a significant financial hit just to move on.
But if they do? The Rams should absolutely be in the conversation.
This wouldn’t be about stirring up a quarterback controversy. Stafford is still the guy.
But bringing in a former Pro Bowler like Murray as a backup with a long-term eye? That’s the kind of forward-thinking move that keeps good teams great.
It’s a chance to develop a potential successor in-house, without the pressure of throwing him into the fire right away.
And if McVay can work his magic again? The Rams might just find themselves with their next franchise quarterback already in the building-waiting in the wings while Stafford finishes out a stellar career.
It’s not a move the Rams have to make. But it’s one they should absolutely be thinking about. Because in this league, the best time to find your next quarterback is before you need him.