The Los Angeles Rams are reaching an inflection point in their franchise’s history. The team is built to win now with 37-year-old Matthew Stafford under center, but they have some long-term concerns across the roster — particularly at quarterback.
Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano looked ahead five years in the future to rank all 32 teams by how well-positioned they are (or aren’t) to be competitive in the future. He looked at each team’s quarterback situation, head coach, management, talent on rookie contracts and franchise history.
He was very bearish on the Rams and ranked them No. 18.
Sean McVay is only 39 years old, but few around the NFL think he’ll be coaching into his 50s — not after he’s already flirted with retirement once. If he sticks around, he’ll have some rebuilding to do over the next five years, especially with QB Matthew Stafford likely in his final season or two. The good news is GM Les Snead has been able to find some young talent, like WR Puka Nacua, RB Kyren Williams and edge rusher Jared Verse — no small feat considering his habit of trading away high draft picks. He’s also proven to be aggressive about getting the players McVay needs. So they won’t fade until oblivion in the next few years. But finding that next QB will really be key.
Basically, everything hinges on the Rams’ plan at quarterback. They have the head coach, management, history and young talent to blossom over the next five years but don’t have a plan at quarterback yet.
That could change over the next year as the team evaluates its options — either in the draft, free agency, a trade or internally with Jimmy Garoppolo or Stetson Bennett. But for now, the Rams need to focus on building a core unit to last for the future and then figure out who will start under center.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL analyst doesn’t think the Rams are well-positioned to win in next 5 years
Reporting by Tyler Greenawalt, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
