Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead put a bow on the 2025 season when he met with reporters for his year-end press conference on Wednesday. Like Sean McVay, he addressed Matthew Stafford’s future with the team by saying he’s waiting to hear what the quarterback wants to do, while also commenting on the state of the Rams’ cornerback group and extension-eligible players.
These are the six biggest takeaways from his 34 minutes with the media.
Rams have had “productive conversations” with Matthew Stafford but will give him time
Snead said the Rams have been in contact with Stafford about whether he wants to play in 2026, but they’re not rushing the veteran quarterback. They’re giving him space and time to decide what he wants to do next season, though Snead did say they hope to have a resolution and answer sooner than they did last year when contract negotiations and trade talks nearly spilled into March.
Rams will be more aggressive if Stafford returns
In the event that Stafford decides he wants to keep playing in 2026, Snead admitted the Rams will be more aggressive this offseason in pursuing a ring. They want to maximize their time with Stafford and keep their Super Bowl window as open as possible, building more toward the present than worrying about the future.
“When Matthew’s on the horse, we go, ‘Let’s make the most of our time with Matthew,’” he said.
That doesn’t mean the Rams are going to mortgage their future and give up every draft pick for a proven veteran, but Snead wants to ensure they have a team capable of winning it all next season if Stafford returns.
“If Matthew decides to come back, I do think there’ll be an element where – whether it’s 51-49, whether it’s 52-48, whether it’s 60-40 – let’s definitely make the most of the time we have with Matthew because as we just discussed, the type of season he had, the type of season that he’s still showing that he can have, there’s only so many of those left. Those are some moments that you want to take advantage of, for sure,” he said.
Rams will take care of pending free agents before addressing extension-eligible players
Puka Nacua, Kobie Turner, Byron Young and Steve Avila are all eligible for contract extensions for the first time this offseason and the Rams would love to keep them under contract for the future – something Sean McVay said earlier this week when he met with reporters.
Snead echoed that sentiment but also acknowledged that first, the team will address players who are set to become free agents before turning their attention to guys who are still under contract.
“Naturally, we’ll tackle players whose contracts are expiring first,” Snead said. “And then at that point in time, either try to bring them back or either communicate with them that it might be time to try different chapters. And with that being said, you go through the draft. Through the whole process with those type players, we’re well aware that we have another year with them. We’re well aware that they’re very good players and we’d like to continue riding with those players into the future. And we begin working through that with all of them.”
Rams are set up nicely with regards to the salary cap
The Rams are projected to have around $48 million in cap space before even making any cuts or restructures. That’s also dependent on where the NFL sets the salary cap, but regardless of where the final number lands, the Rams are in great shape financially.
Snead said Tony Pastoors and his group have done a good job managing the cap “where we’re set up, we definitely have room, we can begin making some of those decisions.”
In other words, the Rams have the necessary space to make the moves they want to in 2026.
Rams will attack the cornerback position this offseason
Cornerback was a weakness for the Rams this season, and it became very evident in the playoffs against the Panthers and Seahawks. Cobie Durant and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. were the primary starters, but Darious Williams was a healthy scratch at times and Ahkello Witherspoon couldn’t stay healthy.
Snead knows that’s a position that needs to be overhauled and he suggested they will take a close look at the cornerbacks this offseason, aiming to get the group in better shape for 2026 – financially and talent-wise.
“That’s a group, because of the contracts expiring – even, how many years they’ve been in the league is definitely something we have to sit down and maybe stabilize it more from a standpoint of getting the right people in under the right contracts and things like that based on how many guys are up or voiding and things like that,” he said. “It’ll be a position group that we’ll attack over the next few weeks, few months.”
Snead wouldn’t say whether the Rams will or won’t pick up the fifth-year option for Forbes, a decision that needs to be made by May.
Rams started their draft prep with the top 13 prospects
The Rams have to first-round picks this year, beginning with No. 13 overall. Snead said that while he doesn’t want scouts and the front office to steer away from being so successful on Day 2 and 3 of the draft, he did say they began their prep by looking at players who could be there at No. 13 overall.
“But what we did change a little bit is, once we knew right about where we were going to be picking, there was a group of us that really got in the lab and said, ‘OK, let’s focus on the players that we subjectively think would be in play at what ended up being 13.’ … Let’s make sure we get 13 somewhat solved – or at least to the 90 to 95th percent place – in terms of prep, that way we can spend these next few months really doing what we normally do. And now we just need to get Sean and his coaches up to speed.”
Provided they keep the 13th overall pick, the Rams should be in position to secure a blue-chip talent at that spot. And given Snead’s comments, it’s possible they’ve already identified a shortlist of guys they hope to come away with.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 6 takeaways from Les Snead’s end-of-season press conference
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
