Despite winning a Super Bowl and MVP honors, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford still has plenty to prove. In fact, it’s fair to label him as the signal caller facing the most pressure ahead of the 2026 season.
Yep, more than Dak Prescott, who has yet to guide the Cowboys to the NFC Championship and beyond.
More than Justin Herbert, who has yet to win a playoff game.
More than Jalen Hurts, who has won a Super Bowl, but most everyone is still unsure about him.
Heck, more than even Josh Allen,
who has failed in his mission (thus far) to lead the Bills back to the Super Bowl.
Stafford is facing the heat more than any of those other QBs simply because he’s the face of a super team. Los Angeles improved its defense by adding Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, and decided to throw in Myles Garrett for the hell of it. The veteran recently called the Garrett acquisition a “shot in the arm,” which is definitely underselling it.
Garrett is more than a “shot in the arm” — he’s what pushes a contender into title favorite status. The Rams were considered one of the best teams in the NFL before his arrival, and with him in tow, they’re clear favorites to win it all in February. TST’s own JB Scott noted L.A.’s Super Bowl odds improved by at least 200 points following the trade. FanDuel Sportsbook has the team at +550 odds to win the 2027 Super Bowl, way ahead of Seattle at +1100.
Winning a Super Bowl was the goal all offseason after falling short against the Seahawks in the NFC Championship. Now, thanks to the all-in moves for Garrett and company, winning the big game is the only acceptable outcome.
As we know, quarterbacks face the brunt of the heat whenever they fall short of expectations. In a team sport like football, I guess it’s only fair to do so. That’s the cost of playing QB in the NFL. You hear that, Stafford? You asked for this!
Look, Stafford has already been in this position before. He faced pressure to guide a loaded Rams team to the Super Bowl in Year 1, and he delivered. Stafford doesn’t need another MVP season. His legacy and Hall of Fame chances will only be helped if he can secure another title. However, what he needs is to avoid the key mistakes that derail a title run while also providing the steady leadership expected of a veteran quarterback.
Simply put, he must be the leader his team needs if they have any hope of meeting their lofty goals. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk said it correctly: the Rams cannot allow themselves to get complacent despite the high expectations. Stafford will be tasked with keeping his hungry young team in check and ensuring they don’t get too ahead of themselves.
The Rams traded for Garrett to win the Super Bowl, and anything less than a Lombardi Trophy will certainly be disappointing. Stafford already owns a ring, but this season isn’t about proving he can win another one. It’s about proving he can lead a different loaded roster back to the promised land, rather than another talented team that falls short.
