The Los Angeles Rams enter 2026 with the kind of buzz that usually follows a team that’s already proven it can hang with anybody. They came up short last season, but the feeling around this group is still strong enough that plenty of people think a different result in the NFC title game against the Seahawks would have led to a win over the Patriots in Super Bowl 60.
Now the focus shifts to training camp, and the Rams have every reason to believe they’ll be one of the league’s top teams again. Still, Seth Walder of ESPN pointed to one area that could make or break that outlook: health.
Walder singled out Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams as the key names to watch.
"Less than 12 months ago, Stafford couldn't get on the practice field due to a back issue and was a major question mark entering the season. He ended up playing the whole way -- and winning MVP -- but there's no guarantee that he can repeat that in 2026 at age 38.
And Adams has played at least 14 games in each of the past six seasons, but I bring him up because he is 33 and the depth behind him and Puka Nacua is severely lacking. The Rams are the best team in football, but they have a couple of Achilles' heels they must protect."
That’s the crux of it. Stafford’s health was already a real concern at this point last year, and it played a big role in why so many people hesitated to back the Rams as champions.
Adams brings a different kind of worry. Walder’s point isn’t just about Adams himself, but about what happens if the Rams lose one of their top receivers and have to lean on thin depth behind him and Puka Nacua. On a roster this loaded, that stands out as one of the few clear weak spots.
At the same time, that kind of risk isn’t unique to Los Angeles. Every contender has a line it can’t afford to cross, and the quarterback position is usually the biggest one.
The Chiefs showed that last season when they fell apart without Patrick Mahomes. If a team loses its starting quarterback, the drop-off is usually brutal.
That’s the reality for the Rams too. If Stafford stays upright the way he did a year ago, they have every chance to stay in the title mix all season long.
In Other News...
Rams Face A Tough WR3 Dilemma With Familiar Veteran Temptation
With Puka Nacua and Davante Adams locked in as the top two options, the Rams are spending this part of the offseason sorting through a more modest but still important question: who becomes the third receiver. Jordan Whittington, Xavier Smith, Konata Mumpfield and rookie CJ Daniels are among the young players getting a look, which makes the spot less about star power and more about whether the team can find a reliable role player it can keep growing.
That is why the familiar veteran temptation should probably stay just that. Deebo Samuel is still out there, along with names like Stefon Diggs and DeAndre Hopkins, but Samuels recent production and the baggage that can come with a high-profile addition make him a tricky fit for a Rams offense already built around established targets. Adding him would also cut into the development path for the younger receivers battling for snaps, and Los Angeles appears more likely to let that competition play out than to crowd it with another big name. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Still Have One Obvious Fix For Their Biggest Weak Spot
The Rams offensive line depth remains one of the clearest pressure points on the roster, especially at tackle, where the team does not have much proven insurance behind its top options. Alaric Jackson Jr. is dealing with off-field issues, Warren McClendon has only limited starting experience, and that combination leaves Los Angeles vulnerable if it needs to patch things together in a hurry.
One possible answer has emerged in the form of a veteran left tackle who is suddenly available after Detroit moved on for salary reasons. Entering his 11th season, he was still viewed as a serviceable starter last year, which is enough to make him an appealing fallback for a Rams team that knows how valuable a steady blind-side presence can be. The question now is whether Los Angeles wants to make another experienced swing on the line before the problem turns into something bigger. [Read more 🡒]
Aaron Donald Rumor Has Rams Fans Dreaming About 2026
Aaron Donalds name is back in the conversation around the Rams, and for a fan base that spent years watching him wreck game plans, even the hint of movement is enough to stir up old memories. According to Jason La Canfora, there is growing belief around the league that the former defensive tackle could eventually make his way back to Los Angeles, with the discussion centered less on nostalgia than on whether the door is actually opening again.
The timeline remains fuzzy, but the expectation is that Donald would not be around when training camp opens and would miss the early stretch of practices. Still, the possibility of him being available for much of the 2026 season is enough to keep the speculation alive, especially after reports that he has told some inside the organization he is leaning toward a return. For now, the Rams are left with a familiar kind of suspense, the sort that comes with wondering whether one of the franchises defining players has another run left in him. [Read more 🡒]