The Los Angeles Rams have had quite an eventful offseason when it comes to veteran starting quarterback Matthew Stafford. Stafford has been dealing with a lingering back injury that caused him to miss significant time during training camp. Throughout the process, the Rams have been cautious, making sure not to rush their quarterback back too soon.
“And rushing him back, where he could potentially have an unnecessary setback, that just does not make sense. We (The Rams) are fortunate to have the luxury of a player like him, that you do not minimize the importance of practices, but this is the best thing for him and for our football team,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said.
Heading into the season, it’s expected that the Rams will need to consistently monitor Stafford’s condition. His back injury doesn’t appear to be something that will just disappear overnight.
“According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Rams expect Stafford to be healthy and ready to go for Week 1, but given his history of back ailments, there is belief within the organization that the injury will have to be ‘monitored and managed’ throughout the season,” Bleacher Report’s Mike Chiari wrote.
Given the uncertainty surrounding Stafford’s long-term health, it’s possible that the Rams will be targeting a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. In a recent mock draft by The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner, the Rams are projected to use their first-round pick — acquired from Atlanta — to select Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik.
“As much as we all might wish it didn’t, the Matthew Stafford experience has to end one day. After (smartly) adding an extra first from Atlanta last spring, the Rams are in great position to fill that spot in the coming draft, if need be. Klubnik played the best ball of his career last season and could make a big jump this fall,” Baumgardner wrote.
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Klubnik landing in Los Angeles would be a promising move for the Rams. He could spend a year learning behind Stafford, preparing to take over as the future face of the franchise. Klubnik is considered a mature quarterback with strong leadership qualities, and his final season at Clemson is shaping up to be his best yet. If the Rams select him, they may hardly miss a beat as they transition from Stafford to his successor.
