Ramblin' Gamblin' Men

By Peyton Schultze

The Rams’ will need Jared Goff to develop even further this offseason if they want to emerge as a Super Bowl contender once again next season (via Revenge of the Birds).

2019 was thought to be a year of triumph and victory for the Rams. Instead, 2019 became a year full of disappointment and unmet expectations when they Rams stumbled their way to a mediocre 9-7 and finished in a mere third place in the loaded NFC West. Led most in part by an inconsistent defense and a previously potent offense that nearly fell off a cliff, the Rams now enter the 2020 offseason with a surplus of question marks regarding minimal draft capital and a lack of cap space available to sign marquee free agents. So how exactly do they plan to improve in the coming months, especially with plenty of scrutiny heading in the directions of their star players?

Back in 2019 during the Rams hard push back to the Super Bowl, the Los Angeles offense showed major signs of breaking the NFL’s offensive shibboleths in a increasingly passing-centric league. Relying heavily on a ground-and-pound rushing attack to compliment a lethal play-action passing game as schemed up by head coach Sean McVay, the Rams became a team that was nearly impossible to stop when they were firing on all cylinders. That is, until Super Bowl LIII. Ever since that devastating loss at the hands of the New England Patriots last February, the Rams have struggled to find their identity as a whole and have been looking in their rear-view mirror at an attempt to regain their prior success. The culprits are all around the team; is it Todd Gurley’s sudden decline? Did Sean McVay get in over his head when it comes to his playcalling? Is Jared Goff really good enough to carry this team to the Super Bowl? Is the front office just making too many boneheaded trades without any sign of building the future? Los Angeles has a ton of question marks right now, and things must begin to turn the corner very soon if they want to find themselves back in the postseason next year.

Even after a disappointing season for the team in 2019, the Rams have to have some comfort in knowing that Aaron Donald will once again suit up for them in 2020 (via Field Gulls).

In the case of the Rams’ offense, perhaps their biggest concern heading into next year remains the questionable status of running back Todd Gurley. Two seasons ago, Gurley was a borderline MVP candidate in helping lead the Rams’ offense to massive success. However, last year, behind a struggling Rams’ offensive line that seemed to age by the game, Gurley’s game took a severe hit with only 857 rushing yards and a declining role in the Rams’ passing game. With that being said, if Los Angeles wants to recover offensively next year, they’re are going to need to figure out to do with their former star running back and his potential injury concerns relating to an ailing knee. Whether that means putting him on the trade market, giving him more carries, or flat out cutting him remains to be seen, but McVay’s offensive scheme is one that mightily relies on a workhorse running back capable of wearing down defenses all game long.

Meanwhile, the Rams’ offense also needs to figure out what they’re going to do in the short-term and long-term at several positions. As mentioned above, the Rams’ offensive line was a major weakness last year after losing guard Roger Saffold to the Tennessee Titans in last year’s free agent group. Although it looks like solid left tackle Andrew Whitworth will return to the team for another season, the LA front office must improve this group in some kind of way next season if they want to find more success in both aspects of their offensive gameplan. In addition to this, although signal caller Jared Goff is under contract and filled in right now as their starter, questions surround his legitimacy as the Rams’ franchise quarterback. Like Gurley, Goff also struggled a ton last season despite great production from his offensive receiving weapons such as Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and 2019 standout Tyler Higbee. Goff figures to be the answer at the position for the near future, but Los Angeles could always decide to shake things up rapidly by moving Goff and searching for a veteran quarterback on this year’s market. Although cap causalities would eventually have to come if the Rams decided to make any type of big move at the position, Tom Brady is sitting on the open market right now and could be of serious interest. With a solid roster full of win-now players, Brady would be a natural fit for Los Angeles and instantly make them a serious contender. It is much more of a hypothetical thought, but the Rams need to figure out with certainty about what they want to do at the game’s most important position.

After acquiring him in a trade with the Jaguars during the season, future contract talks with Jalen Ramsey will be a major storyline to follow in Los Angeles (via Los Angeles Times).

As for the Rams’ defense, the problems are much less obvious, but there are true lack of immediate answers. After letting go of veteran defensive coordinator Wade Philips in favor of newcomer Brandon Staley, the Rams figure to have some significant changes on that side of the ball next season. Although Los Angeles truly had some bright performances last season on defense, especially after acquiring elite cornerback Jalen Ramsey, the Rams lacked a ton of consistency on the defensive end. For one, this could have been due to the many shuffling pieces the Rams constantly had funneling in and out of the lineup last season, which seemed to throw off their chemistry. However, it also has to do with the fact that the Rams’ defense seemed to lack explosive speed to the ball on the second level, which could be an area the Rams decide to pursue at some point in the draft. The Rams’ first selection in the draft comes at 52nd overall, and it would not be a surprise whatsoever to see them pursue an inside linebacker or safety to fill the hole left by Eric Weddle’s retirement.

Nevertheless, one thing the Rams can find comfort in knowing is that they will return two of the best defensive players in the league next year. With Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey locked in to return to Los Angeles for 2020, the Rams have potential to cause true havoc on defense if they can surround them with other elite talent. Simply put, the Rams’ defense does not have a gaping weakness that stands out among the rest; they just need to stay healthy, possibly add a piece or two to their linebacking core and secondary, and gel as a unit in order to help this team bounce back next season. There’s plenty of ways to go until Los Angeles can claim to be one of the league’s top defenses that could potentially carry the organization to the Super Bowl, but it is quite apparent that talent is not lacking whatsoever as it stands right now for the Rams.

The Rams have several holes across their roster, but they will at least have a loaded receiving core full of talented names such as Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods that are scheduled to return (via Sports Illustrated).

Whatever the cases may be, it is clear that these Rams are not a playoff team as set. In a conference with near-playoff locks next year such as the 49ers, Seahawks, Saints, and Packers, it is very obvious that the Rams will have to take some major leaps in this offseason in order to get back into postseason play with so many contenders surrounding them. The Rams’ on-paper roster and their possession of one of the top tier head coaches in all of football gives them a fighting chance already, but their improvements via trades, free agency, or the draft are vital if they want to get back on track. There’s a long time between now and training camp over summer, but the path back toward Super Bowl glory begins in the coming weeks for the LA Rams.