Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams won the Lombardi Trophy last season, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl 56 23-20. The Bengals didn’t have an answer for Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp, who had one of the best seasons for a pass catcher in NFL history thanks to the upgrade at quarterback.
Los Angeles went all in last offseason, acquiring Stafford from the Detroit Lions in exchange for Jared Goff, a 2021 third-round pick, 2022 first-round pick and 2023 first-round pick. While it was a steep price in terms of draft capital, it paid off as the Rams won the ultimate prize at the end of the season.
Stafford had one of the best seasons of his career, tying his career-high in completion percentage at 67.2 and throwing 41 touchdowns. He threw for 4,886 yards, which was the third-highest of his career.
The only blemish was that he threw a league-high 17 interceptions. He has always had a bit of an interception problem, as he averages nearly one per game in his career. However, that could change this upcoming season as his comfort level in the Rams’ offense has reached a new level.
“At this point in the year last season, I think to myself what I knew about this team and this offense, and it’s just so small in comparison to what I know and understand now,” Stafford said, via the team’s website. “So that gives me great comfort in the fact that we can go above and beyond what we did last year.”
Because of his offseason program including no throwing as he rested his elbow, Matthew Stafford was able to take a deep dive into the Rams’ playbook and it sounds as if it paid off. Having a full grasp of the offense will make him and his teammates even more dangerous and efficient as he will be able to do everything Sean McVay wants with confidence.
In addition to that, the talent around him is excellent. He has Kupp still in the fold and the team added Allen Robinson in free agency with Van Jefferson and Tutu Atwell rounding out the position with Odell Beckham Jr. still a possibility to return in free agency. Tyler Higbee is a solid tight end and the running back room is loaded with Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson and Kyren Williams.
