The Los Angeles Rams are approaching a crossroads at quarterback. While Matthew Stafford remains the team’s starting quarterback at this time, he is nearing the end of his career. The 37-year-old could potentially retire following the 2025 NFL season, and the Rams need to be ready when he does.
Los Angeles currently has no replacement on the roster for Stafford, which could have some significant side effects moving forward. Stafford could continue playing another few years, but the team needs to find a replacement sooner rather than later.
Who Do the Rams Select as Their Matthew Stafford Replacement?
The 2026 NFL Draft could be a perfect opportunity for Los Angeles to land Stafford’s replacement. They acquired an additional first-round pick in next year’s draft through a trade with the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta parted with their 2026 first-round pick in that trade to move back into the first round for edge rusher James Pearce Jr.
Los Angeles can use their two first-rounders to move up in the draft. Several quarterback prospects could make an impact at the NFL level, and a move up would guarantee the Rams walk away with one of the top prospects.
However, they may not need to make that move. PFSN contributor Ian Cummings recently published a 2026 NFL Mock Draft. In his mock draft, Cummings has Los Angeles finding their quarterback with the 26th pick.
In this case, the Rams select LSU signal-caller Garrett Nussmeier.
One of my favorite parts of #LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier’s game is his sack avoidance
🧠 EXTREMELY active in pre-snap phase
🏃♂️ Accustomed to throwing on the move
👀 Will operate in tight spaces w/ eyes downfieldWill force the issue at times, but lot of impressive reps in Year 1 pic.twitter.com/MVeuy8JMIP
— Fran Duffy (@FDuffyNFL) May 8, 2025
“Matthew Stafford is under contract through the 2026 season. As long as he doesn’t regress, he’ll be the Rams’ QB through that mark, at the very least, but the time is coming soon for the Rams to think about the future. The 2026 class should give them chances to do so,” Cummings wrote of the selection.
“Ideally, the Rams target a QB with more physical upside, but Garrett Nussmeier is intriguing in his own right. He’s garnered comparisons to Tony Romo with his savvy brand of creativity and gunslinger mentality, and he can widen windows with his elastic arm.”
Nussmeier has the ability to become a star at the NFL level, and working within Sean McVay’s offense could help that process along. He would immediately have a star wide receiver in Puka Nacua to rely on in his rookie campaign.
The Rams have made the playoffs in eight of the last 10 seasons, including three of Stafford’s four seasons in Los Angeles. They won the Super Bowl in 2022 over the Cincinnati Bengals; however, they have not reached these heights since.
Los Angeles has won 10 games in each of the last two seasons. In 2024, they won the NFC West for the first time since 2021. They also won a playoff game, defeating the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card Round.
However, the Rams fell to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round. Los Angeles is hoping to avoid a repeat of fate in 2025. While Stafford is tasked with returning this team to Super Bowl contention, it’s not too early for the Rams to start thinking about life after Stafford.
