At best, the Los Angeles Rams have a 15% chance to win the Super Bowl. That percentage is higher than any of the other 31 teams. Still, I wouldn’t exactly bet my house on a probability that usually feels remote.
The problem is that the Rams have set themselves up for a championship or failure season. Anything short of the Lombardi Trophy will be a disappointment. In a league where attrition and parity are two of the strongest and unseen forces, the team may as well be attempting to land on the moon.
In some ways the sky-high expectations may also be a good thing for fans. Les Snead, Sean McVay, and the Rams understand the mission: win a Super Bowl in 2026. That means if LA loses a piece here or there or the roster isn’t meshing as well as expected, you can bet Snead will pick up the phone to remedy the issue.
The Rams have their quarterback of the future, one we feel especially good about after a highly efficient preseason showing. They can remain aggressive for 2026 because they have security thereafter.
Where could Snead and the team make tweaks in order to keep this locomotive on the tracks? Let’s take a look.
Offensive tackle
Simply put, this probably isn’t happening. It’s still worth mentioning on this list because the depth is concerning.
I’m not discounting the selection of Ty Simpson when I say this, but the Rams had options at tackle in the first round of this spring’s draft. They opted for future security instead of shoring up a position that was not deep.
For example, the Lions drafted Blake Miller four picks after Simpson. The Panthers selected Monroe Freeling two spots later. Max Iheanachor was taken by the Steelers two slots after that. Would the Rams have maximized value if they dipped into this middle to late first round pool? Probably not, but teams draft for need all the time.
And if you expect another franchise to trade away a starting level player mid-season, there’s no way it’s happening. We almost never see quality tackles move teams in the middle of the year. You can do it, but the types of players that are available usually invoke some buyer’s remorse.
The Rams have made their bed at offensive tackle. They now must lie in it.
Receiver
Assuming they remain healthy and off the league’s disciplinary radar, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams form a strong receiver duo. Those are big ifs, however.
I don’t love LA’s receiving depth behind the big two. The Rams told us they don’t either by the fact they kept seven players at the position in a year they are expected to put more tight ends on the field than they ever have—plus the late trade acquisition of Tutu Atwell. Terrance Ferguson figures to be the de facto WR#3.
And then there is the long-term questions at receiver. Will Nacua receive a contract extension and return in 2027? Adams is near the end of the career and this is likely his last season in LA, especially if they make good on their championship hopes.
Adding to this room wouldn’t be difficult. We see receivers traded ahead of the league’s deadline every year. They can also make an impact on relatively short acclimation periods with their new team, including how the Rams added Odell Beckham back in 2021.
These are some names I would keep an eye on if LA needs more firepower:
- Rashod Bateman, Ravens
- Brian Thomas, Jaguars
- Troy Franklin, Broncos
- Skyy Moore, Packers (punt return option)
- Jordan Addison, Vikings
Quarterback
Stetson Bennett and Ty Simpson are more like 2A and 2B as the backups to Matthew Stafford, but do the Rams really trust either one to step in this season given the thin margins the team is working against? The most secure solution if Stafford misses extended time is to phone Jimmy Garoppolo, who is currently a free agent and reconsidering his offseason retirement.
It wouldn’t take much future capital in order to bring back someone like Garoppolo. It’s still a reasonable possibility and worth keeping on the radar.
Cornerback
LA is dangerously short-handed at corner. They really only have two trustworthy players at the position: Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.
Fans will likely see more of Emmanuel Forbes than they are expecting and probably want, at least until we find out how the Rams ultimately use McDuffie. If he plays inside often, Forbes is effectively a starting perimeter corner for this team. That is a position that could easily be upgraded, and LA may be walking a thin line after seemingly fixing their Achilles heel from last season.
These are some names to consider later in the year:
- JuJu Brents, Dolphins
- Christian Gonzalez, Patriots (in contract dispute)
- Joey Porter, Steelers (in contract dispute)
- Riley Moss / Jahdae Barron, Broncos
- Cobie Durant, Cowboys
- Kelee Ringo, Eagles
- Mike Sainristil, Commanders
- Roger McCreary / Ennis Rakestraw, Lions
- AJ Terrell, Falcons
