Connect with us

Football

Rams predicted to replace former Lion Matthew Stafford with highly-touted quarterback

The Los Angeles Rams need to start thinking about life after Matthew Stafford sooner rather than later.

Though the team signed the former Detroit Lions quarterback to a two-year extension this offseason, Stafford has contemplated retirement multiple times over the last few years and turned 37 in February.

With Stafford likely having just a few years left in his career, NFL Spin Zone’s Sayre Bedinger predicts the Rams will trade up in the 2026 NFL Draft and select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza in Round 1 to be Stafford’s eventual successor.

Even if the Rams are planning on keeping Stafford around for 2026, and even if Stafford plans on continuing to play, the Rams are in a great spot to bring in the heir apparent and move on to that guy whenever they see the wheels coming off for Stafford.

Mendoza transferred to Indiana from California in December and will serve as the Hoosiers’ starting quarterback in 2025.

In two seasons as the Golden Bears’ starter, Mendoza tossed 30 touchdowns to 16 interceptions with 4,712 passing yards and a 66.5% completion rate.

Though he hasn’t put together a high-level season as a collegiate starter yet, Mendoza has all the tools to post a breakout 2025 campaign. The 21-year-old possesses an excellent frame at 6-foot-5, and his exciting arm talent, paired with improved accuracy, makes him an intriguing prospect at the next level.

If Mendoza declares for the draft after the 2025 season, Los Angeles would be a logical landing spot for him. The Indiana signal-caller is still a fairly raw talent who could use some mentorship from a veteran quarterback to start his career.

Selecting Mendoza to sit and learn behind Stafford for a year or two before taking over as the starter would be a savvy move by the Rams. The Miami native has the potential to be a franchise quarterback one day, and it will be hard for Los Angeles to pass on that next April.

MORE: Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs lands in elite company on ESPN’s running back rankings

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Must See

More in Football