As the NFL Preseason comes to a close, Los Angeles Rams fans are asking one final question: Will the starters see any action against the Cleveland Browns? For anyone familiar with head coach Sean McVay’s philosophy, the answer is no surprise. The team is officially keeping its key players on the sideline, a strategy that prioritizes long-term health over preseason reps. This decision highlights a calculated approach that has defined McVay’s tenure since 2017.
Why Are the Rams Benching Their Stars in the Final Preseason Game?
Head coach Sean McVay confirmed that most of the team’s top players, including quarterback Matthew Stafford, will sit out the preseason finale. Instead, quarterback Dresser Winn is set to lead the offense, as the coaching staff focuses on a clear priority: giving reps to players fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster.
This cautious approach is nothing new for fans who have followed McVay. Since taking over the Rams in 2017, he has consistently chosen to keep his stars healthy by using controlled settings like training camp and joint practices for their reps. For McVay, playing starters in a preseason game is an unnecessary injury risk, so he protects his core players while giving younger guys a chance to prove their worth.
While the starters have been resting, the first two preseason games still gave fans plenty to watch. The Rams went 2-0 with wins over the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers, including a thrilling victory in Week 2. In that second game, backup quarterback Stetson Bennett put on a show, throwing for 324 yards and three touchdowns. For many fans, seeing that the team has capable hands ready to step up is a reassuring sight.
On the other sideline, the Cleveland Browns will reportedly take a different approach, playing their starters, including veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, for a significant portion of the game. That contrast just highlights McVay’s thinking: why risk injury when the main goal is being healthy for Week 1? Fans might miss seeing the stars on the field, but most understand the focus is on long-term success.
What Does This Mean for the Rams’ 2025 Season?
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, there is plenty of reason for excitement, but also some caution. Reports suggest the Rams could reach double-digit wins again, but the team’s health remains the biggest question mark. Stafford’s back is a lingering concern, and the depth on the offensive line and in the secondary will be critical for navigating a tough NFC West.
Stafford said he has done “everything under the sun” to manage the irritated disk in his back. He sustained the injury while he trained after the Rams’ minicamp this summer. However, things look positive at this point.
“Good thing is I feel pretty good the last couple of days out there practicing,” Stafford said at the Rams’ training complex in Woodland Hills. “Was able to do even a little bit more than I thought I was going to be able to do the first day, and then just been trying to stack days.”
Matthew ➡️ Tutu pic.twitter.com/YSCmQPMsHw
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 21, 2025
So, while fans will not see the starters take a single snap this weekend, there are still important storylines to follow. The final preseason game is a huge opportunity for backups to make an impression and for roster bubble players to prove they belong. It is also the coaching staff’s last look at the depth that could make or break their season.
For Rams fans, the team’s message is clear: enjoy the show this weekend, cheer for the rising stars, and save the big-game excitement for Week 1 when Stafford and the rest of the starters finally take the field.
