The Los Angeles Rams have already gotten a huge return from Matthew Stafford. The trade that brought him to Los Angeles delivered a Super Bowl and a long stretch of success, and Stafford is now heading into his age-38 season with the finish line of his career coming into view.
The Rams believe they may already have a successor lined up in Ty Simpson, the 13th pick in this year’s draft. Still, a different name briefly entered the conversation after a joke in Defector’s annual "Why Your Team Sucks" series resurfaced: Joe Burrow.
In Cincinnati’s entry, columnist Drew Magary tossed out a playful prediction after pointing to a Vanity Fair interview Burrow did around the Met Gala, where he talked about spending time in Los Angeles. Magary quoted Burrow saying he had been in Los Angeles "a fair amount" and, "doing a lot of Legos."
Burrow also said, "I was excited about what the new Pokémon collab [Legos] did," before adding, "I haven't dove into those yet. I have them sitting at home for when things start to calm down a little bit."
It’s a funny thought, and it has been floating around in speculative form for a while, but it’s also just that: speculative. The Rams are the Los Angeles team that could eventually need a quarterback, since Justin Herbert is doing his thing with the Chargers. Whether that ever becomes relevant depends on how long Stafford plays and whether Simpson develops into the answer.
There’s also the contract reality. Burrow is tied up through 2029, which means any future move to Los Angeles would have to come through a trade. If the Rams get to that point and Simpson hasn’t worked out, they’d at least have a clear opening to chase a big swing.
For now, though, that’s all it is - a dream, a joke, and a reminder that Burrow’s Los Angeles time has been enough to keep the idea alive in the margins. If nothing else, it’s the kind of far-off fantasy that makes sense only until the day it suddenly doesn’t.
In Other News...
Rams Camp Battles Are Heating Up And One QB Is Still Ahead
The Rams wrapped up training camp at Loyola Marymount University with a few battles still worth watching as they turn toward their first preseason game. Rookie wide receiver CJ Daniels and cornerback Lampkin each made enough of an impression to stay in the conversation for roster spots, which is exactly the kind of late-summer competition this team wanted to see while sorting through the back end of the roster.
At quarterback, Stetson Bennett remains in front of rookie Ty Simpson for now, a nod to both his experience and the way he performed through camp. With the preseason about to start, the Rams still have decisions to make across the roster, and these final weeks will show whether the early separation holds or if anyone can force a change. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Are Taking A Huge Week 1 Gamble Against The 49ers
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It is a bold approach for a game that already carries real weight in the division race, and it reflects a belief that comfort and familiarity can matter as much as extra acclimation time. The Rams used a similar strategy successfully in England in 2025, and now they are betting it can again help them navigate the travel, the timing, and the pressure that comes with opening against a familiar rival. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Preseason Slate Offers First Look At A Super Bowl Push
With OTAs and training camp now in the books, the Rams are moving into a preseason that offers a clearer first look at how serious this group is about chasing another Super Bowl run. The exhibition schedule will bring matchups with the Chiefs, Saints and Chargers, giving Sean McVays team a chance to test depth, sharpen timing and keep building toward the kind of consistency that has eluded them in recent postseason trips.
There is also a little extra value in the way this summer is structured, with joint practices on the calendar alongside the Saints and Cowboys before the games begin. Those controlled settings can matter as much as the scoreboard in August, especially for a roster trying to clean up the details that have kept bigger January ambitions just out of reach. [Read more 🡒]