Matthew Stafford’s career in the NFL seemed set for a big 17th year, but a nagging back issue has already thrown a wrench into the team’s preseason plans. Stafford has been with the Rams since 2021, when he led the team to a Super Bowl victory.
There’s just one set of exhibition games left before the 2025 campaign starts, and the Rams are already facing tough decisions at quarterback. Will Stafford be ready, or will someone else need to step in?
What Could the Los Angeles Rams Do if Matthew Stafford Remains Injured?
Stafford hasn’t seen the field in preseason because of that back injury, and analysts are starting to wonder if the Rams need to add another quarterback to give themselves the best shot at opening the season on the right track. The conversation heated up recently on “First Things First,” where analyst Nick Wright raised the possibility of head coach Sean McVay seeking options beyond Stetson Bennett IV or Jimmy Garoppolo.
According to the show’s hosts, if Stafford can’t go, McVay will be forced to search for the next best option. Wright floated Kirk Cousins as a potential target – a former fourth-round pick who previously played in a similar offense to the Rams under Kevin O’Connell.
Wright said, “Especially Kevin O’Connell, who had success with Kirk Cousins in Minnesota, came from Sean McVay. I don’t know that they run the exact same thing, but there’s a lot of carryover. So it wouldn’t be hard to bring in a quarterback.”
Cousins has dealt with a rocky few months with the Atlanta Falcons after being signed before the 2024 season. He started out as the Falcons’ main guy, but after several inconsistent weeks, Michael Penix Jr. took over.
Meanwhile, Garoppolo isn’t producing much excitement among Rams fans or analysts. Wright put it bluntly, “You can’t go into the year with Jimmy G. If in two weeks the story is, ‘Oh my God, Matt Stafford’s having back surgery and he’s out’ then they have to move for a quarterback. And the quarterback they would move for is Kirk.”
With Stafford healthy, Wright pointed out the Rams are legitimate NFC contenders. But “the guy behind Jimmy G,” Bennett, hasn’t played a snap in the NFL, and having him as the second option is a cause for concern during the preseason.
Adding Cousins wouldn’t be cheap for any NFL team, let alone the Rams. Atlanta signed him to a four-year, $180 million deal that includes a $27.5 million base salary for this year, plus another $70 million owed in 2026 and 2027, and cap figures climbing from $40 million to $57.5 million. That’s a serious financial commitment for a 36-year-old quarterback who may not even end up starting in Los Angeles.
There’s also no guarantee Cousins would want to leave Atlanta unless he’s sure he’ll be taking the starter job. Right now, it’s unclear if any team feels desperate enough to take on that kind of hit for a veteran quarterback waiting for another shot to prove he can still lead a team.
Doesn’t even know who the coach for the Rams is.