The Los Angeles Rams are entering the 2026 season with expectations that leave little room for disappointment. A loaded roster, a strong preseason outlook, and major summer additions have pushed them into the center of the Super Bowl conversation.
Still, one Super Bowl champion believes the excitement around Sean McVay’s team may be getting ahead of itself. The biggest concerns involve the quarterback’s age, roster depth, and uncertainty surrounding some important players.
Chris Canty Warns Rams About Major Concerns
Chris Canty believes the Rams have enough talent to compete for a championship, but he is not ready to crown them before the season begins. The former NFL defensive end pointed to several issues that could change the outlook for a team carrying enormous expectations.
The most pressing concern involves potential disciplinary action against two key offensive players. Canty highlighted wide receiver Puka Nacua and left tackle Alaric Jackson while discussing the uncertainty facing Los Angeles.
“You have to consider the fact that you’ve got some serious off-the-field issues with your wide receiver in Puka Nacua and your left tackle in Alaric Jackson,” Canty said on ESPN’s “First Take.”
The league is reportedly discussing possible discipline for both players. Jackson could also face additional scrutiny because of his previous history under the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Any absence would create another challenge for an offense expected to carry a significant portion of the team’s workload.
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Canty also sees a potential problem in how heavily the Rams have invested in their biggest stars.
“You got a top-heavy roster, 10 guys taking up over 60% of your salary cap,” he said. “So, anytime you start talking about the distribution with your cap being that way, injuries disproportionately affect you.”
This financial structure can become especially problematic when injuries hit. The Rams have surrounded Matthew Stafford with major weapons, including Nacua, Davante Adams, and Kyren Williams, but losing key starters could expose the gap between their stars and depth players.
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Then comes Stafford’s age, a player who ranked second in PFN NFL QB Impact Rankings last season. The veteran quarterback will be 39 by the time Super Bowl LXI arrives, placing him in rare territory for championship quarterbacks.
“The other thing I’ll say is this. They will have a 39-year-old quarterback by the time Super Bowl 61 kicks off,” Canty said. “Only two quarterbacks have won the Super Bowl aged 39 or older: Peyton Manning, Tom Brady.”
Canty added, “Not sure I’m putting Matthew Stafford in that bucket.”
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The defense presents another question after the Rams added Myles Garrett, Trent McDuffie, and Jaylen Watson. Canty believes the talent is obvious, but the new pieces must quickly develop chemistry.
“You’re asking guys that are coming from different places to play significant roles on your team, specifically your defense,” he said. “How is that going to meld on the fly?”
The Rams opened the preseason with a 20-12 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, and they remain the favorites to win the Super Bowl.
Canty simply does not see enough certainty to justify the hype.
“There are a lot of variables when it comes to where this Rams season can go,” he added. “I don’t think that they should be the overwhelming favorites like the Vegas odds suggest they should.”
