The Los Angeles Rams’ season ended in heartbreak, falling 31-27 to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game. A one-possession loss in a game that came down to the wire - it’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that had all the tools to make a deep postseason run. But while the finish stings, it doesn’t erase what was an impressive campaign, powered by an MVP-caliber season from Matthew Stafford and a defense that punched above its weight under rising coordinator Chris Shula.
Let’s dive into what went right, what went wrong, and what’s next for a Rams team that still feels like it has unfinished business.
Stafford’s Resurgence and the NFL’s Top Offense
Let’s start with the obvious: Matthew Stafford was sensational this season. Despite coming into the year with lingering back issues and limited practice time, he looked every bit like the quarterback who led the Rams to a Super Bowl title just a few years ago. He didn’t just manage the offense - he elevated it.
Stafford led the league in passing yards (4,707), touchdowns (46), and touchdown-to-interception ratio (46-8). Those are video game numbers, and he capped it off with a monster performance in the NFC title game: 374 yards, three touchdowns, no picks, and just one sack - all against one of the league’s best defenses, on the road.
He was dealing. Whether it was hitting Puka Nacua on a deep crosser or finding Davante Adams in tight windows, Stafford showed he still has one of the most dangerous arms in the league. And with a top-tier run game complementing the aerial attack, this Rams offense was the highest-scoring unit in the NFL for a reason.
But as good as Stafford was, football is a three-phase game - and the Rams’ other two phases didn’t hold up their end of the bargain when it mattered most.
Defensive Grit, but Holes in the Back End
Chris Shula’s defense was opportunistic and disruptive. With 26 takeaways - fifth-most in the league - and a deep, aggressive pass rush, the Rams made life difficult for opposing quarterbacks all season. Shula’s scheme brought versatility and creativity, and his stock as a future head coach is rising fast.
But the NFC Championship game exposed a weakness that had been simmering all year: the secondary.
The Rams leaned heavily on a patchwork group of corners - a mix of journeymen like Darious Williams and Emmanuel Forbes, along with younger players like Cobie Durant and Josh Wallace. It was one of the most cost-effective secondaries in the league, and it played like it.
Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba torched them for 10 catches, 153 yards and a touchdown. That wasn’t an outlier - it was a recurring theme throughout the season whenever the Rams faced elite receivers.
The front seven did its job. The back end couldn’t hold up.
If the Rams want to be serious contenders next season, reinforcements in the secondary are non-negotiable.
Special Teams: A Lingering Liability
The Rams’ special teams unit didn’t just struggle - it cost them games.
In the NFC Championship, Xavier Smith’s muffed punt flipped the game. Seattle scored a touchdown on the very next play. In a one-score loss, that’s the kind of mistake that sticks with you all offseason.
But this wasn’t a one-off. The Rams had a punt blocked in the Wild Card round. In Week 16 - another game against Seattle with massive playoff implications - they gave up a punt return touchdown and missed a go-ahead field goal late.
This has been an ongoing issue. The Rams ranked 31st in special teams expected points added this season.
They were 24th last year. Dead last the year before.
That’s a trend, not a fluke.
If Stafford returns and the Rams are serious about making another Super Bowl push, fixing special teams has to be a top priority. Field position, hidden yardage, and momentum swings - they all matter in January.
Stafford’s Future: A Massive Domino
Now we get to the biggest question of the offseason: Will Matthew Stafford be back?
He turns 38 in two weeks. He’s fresh off arguably the best statistical season of his career. And yet, his future is uncertain.
Stafford has considered retirement before. Last offseason, he only returned after restructuring his contract. After Sunday’s loss, he didn’t offer any clarity on what’s next.
If he walks away, the Rams’ entire outlook shifts. Suddenly, the team goes from contender to question mark.
But if he’s back? It’s Super Bowl or bust - again.
Chris Shula’s Rising Star
Shula is getting attention, and deservedly so. He’s already interviewed for multiple head coaching jobs, including with the Raiders and Cardinals. At 39, he’s shown the kind of schematic flexibility and leadership that front offices crave.
If he lands a head coaching gig, Sean McVay will have a major decision to make. Does he promote from within? Does he call up a familiar face like Raheem Morris, who coordinated the Rams defense from 2021 to 2023 and has experience on both sides of the ball?
Either way, the defensive identity of this team could be shifting - again.
Time to Invest in the Secondary
The Rams have built their roster strategically: big money on offense, heavy draft capital on the defensive line. But now it’s time to balance the scales.
With multiple cornerbacks hitting free agency - including Roger McCreary and Cobie Durant - and a glaring need for talent in the secondary, Los Angeles is in position to make a splash. They’ve got over $30 million in effective cap space and two first-round picks (13th and 29th overall). That’s more first-round capital than they’ve had in nearly a decade.
Corner, safety, and possibly linebacker should be at the top of the draft board. There’s also a case to be made for adding depth to the offensive line and wide receiver group. And if Stafford’s future is murky, a developmental quarterback could enter the mix.
Free Agency Decisions and Draft Capital
Here’s a look at some key players set to hit free agency:
- CB Roger McCreary
- S Kamren Curl
- CB Cobie Durant
- TE Tyler Higbee
- WR Tutu Atwell
- RT Rob Havenstein
Of that group, McCreary, Curl, and Durant are likely the top priorities to retain - especially Curl, who had a standout season at safety.
But the Rams also have to think long-term. The 2023 draft class - headlined by Puka Nacua, Kobie Turner, Byron Young, and Steve Avila - was a franchise-changer. All four are due for extensions soon, and Nacua is already making a case to become one of the highest-paid receivers in the league.
That’s the balancing act ahead for GM Les Snead: keep the core together, add talent in key areas, and maintain financial flexibility.
The Bottom Line
The Rams were close - again. Three straight playoff appearances, three gut-wrenching exits. But with Stafford still playing at an elite level, McVay still among the best minds in football, and a young core that’s only getting better, the window is still open.
But it’s not automatic. Stafford’s decision looms large.
The defense needs help on the back end. Special teams needs a total reset.
And the draft - with two first-round picks - gives Snead a rare opportunity to reload.
The path back to the Super Bowl is there. The question is whether the Rams can walk it - or whether they’ll be left wondering what could have been.