Rams Again Connected to Major QB Trade Amid Matthew Stafford Uncertainty

Sean McVay

The start of the 2025 NFL regular season is right around the corner. For the Los Angeles Rams, there is a major concern brewing with the season about to begin.

Matthew Stafford, their star franchise quarterback, is still not back on the field. He has been dealing with a back injury that does not seem to be improving much.

Should Stafford be unable to play at the beginning of the year, the Rams could suffer through a sluggish start to the season. In a stacked NFC, they simply cannot afford to have that happen.

Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 31, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images

Right now, Los Angeles has both Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett on the depth chart behind Stafford. Both quarterbacks are capable of playing, but they are not ideal long-term starters.

Read more: Justin Jefferson Injury Update From Vikings’ Coach Raises Questions

Could the Rams consider pursuing an outside quarterback to come in and give them a better chance to remain contenders as Stafford works his way back? How about Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins?

Cousins has been connected to Los Angeles multiple time recently. Once again, his name was brought up as a potential target for the Rams.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk floated Cousins’ name again as an option for Los Angeles.

“At some point, it’s fair to wonder whether the Rams will consider calling the Falcons about Kirk Cousins, who played for McVay when McVay was on the coaching staff in Washington,” Florio wrote.

Obviously, Cousins is not a perfect option. He is now 36 years old and will turn 37 on August 19.

Last season with the Falcons, he had an up-and-down year. He produced solid numbers, but his interception total was very concerning.

Read more: Packers QB Jordan Love Shares Significant Injury Update

When all was said and done in 2024, Cousins threw for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions, while completing 66.9 percent of his pass attempts. Those numbers might help replace Stafford better than either Garoppolo or Bennett could.

That being said, a trade for Cousins would not be perfect. He’s not the same caliber of quarterback as Stafford and might not be the kind of player anymore to power a team to the playoffs and on a run in the postseason.

Expect to hear a lot more about the quarterback situation for the Rams. Stafford might end up being ready to go for Week 1, but there are legitimate reasons for major concern in Los Angeles.

For more on the Los Angeles Rams and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.

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