Stafford Gets Extension: Does the Super Bowl Run Through LA in 2027?
By: Andrew Ferguson
Sorry Chargers, maybe another time.
Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams have agreed to a one year extension worth up to $60 million this year. He is now committed to the Rams for the next two years that could earn him up to $105 million in total with incentives. Last year we saw Matthew Stafford lead the NFL in passing with 4,707 yards AND touchdowns with 46 to earn him his first NFL MVP award. Stafford just turned 38 but with those numbers, it’s safe to say he’s playing the best football in his career. So what were the Rams thinking when they drafted Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick (a pick, I remind you, they comically stole from the Falcons)? How’s that James Pearce Jr. trade going?
Les Snead is either going to look like a genius with this one, or he’ll be sitting right next to Terry Fontenot in Cancun sipping Mai Tais in the next two years. Michael Penix with the 8th pick, are you kidding me? Granted, Snead has a much longer leash with his polished free agency moves
he’s made to bring a Super Bowl to the city of LA for the first time since 1983. That being said, he has put together this roster utilizing only 2 first round draft picks since 2017.
The Rams actually had 2 first round picks going into this year’s draft, but they traded away the 29th overall pick (that’s what happens when you’re a good team. You get later 1st round picks. I wouldn’t know, I’m a sour Falcons fan if you can’t tell by this article), to the Chiefs for Trent McDuffie. A clear first round talent worth the assets in Snead and McVay’s eyes. So with just the 13th overall pick remaining, what was going through their heads? They’re not used to being in this position.
There are 2 ways to look at this:
1. You see the numbers Stafford is putting up, why don’t you bring him more weapons and go all in this year?
Does he need more weapons? He arguably has the deadliest wide receiver duo in the NFL right now with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. The two combined for 189 catches, 2,604 yards and 24 touchdowns despite them missing a combined 4 games. Nacua is able to do it all in the middle of the field and make big plays and Adams made it very clear he’s still elite in the Red Zone. Stafford was able to still spread the ball around comfortably hitting 9 different receivers throughout the year for touchdowns. Well maybe he needs a run game? Nope, he has that too. Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combined for 2,315 yards and 19 touchdowns from scrimmage. Well I don’t know then, give him some more help on defense! Again, another area of the team where they ranked top 10 in almost every category and ranked 6th overall in defensive efficiency. And unless Sabastian Janikowski was in this draft, a kicker ain’t happening either. Silly Raiders.
So what areas do they need to address? Well here’s the other thought process on this situation:
2. The Rams have already had all of this success without first round draft picks, why don’t they take this opportunity to draft the future?
Oh they did, it’s a wonderful thought process depending on your opinions on Ty Simpson. Many scouts didn’t even give him a first round grade but the Rams were willing to ‘reach’ for him with that 13th overall selection. But what better story than that of Simpson sitting behind Stafford for
2 years, Stafford rides into the sunset with another Super Bowl ring and you have your future quarterback ready to go. Sounds like Aaron Rodgers or Patrick Mahomes to you? I don’t think it’s crazy to start making those comparisons due to the situation and the same range of where they were drafted. But arm strength is what will hold Simpson back from the fairy tale ending the Rams are looking for on this one. But whatever they saw in Simpson, they were willing to pocket, and keep the status quo with the current core of this team.
Well if this team is so ‘perfect’ already, why didn’t they bring it all the way home last year?
That’s a great question. Find me one person that thought the Seahawks would go 14-3 last year in the regular season and win the Super Bowl. I won’t hold my breath. But teams in the NFL exceed expectations every year, why was this one different though? Because in week 16 during Thursday Night Football, one of the most controversial rulings came into play on a 2 point conversion play that benefited the Seahawks. In a game that would ultimately determine home field advantage for the entire playoffs and the number 1 seed in the NFC, the Seahawks were down 30-28 late in the 4th quarter. Sam Darnold threw a backwards pass that was tipped by Jared Verse and hit the ground. Everyone on the field, including the refs, thought it was a forward pass and gave up on the play. Zach Charbonnet casually walked over to the end zone and picked it up. But after replay assist, they determined it was not a forward pass and the 2 point try was a success to tie the game. A very bizarre way to keep this game going and give the Seahawks a chance. Seattle would go on to win this game, earn the number 1 seed and… blah blah blah, you know the rest. I’m just surprised Darnold didn’t get mono again. One thing I know he didn’t get was Super Bowl MVP. I just picture Stafford on his couch eating ice cream and fried chicken like Ben Stiller at the end of Dodgeball watching that Super Bowl.
But at the end of the day, LA got another crack at it and had a chance to prove they are the better team. Unfortunately, they met the Seahawks again in the NFC Championship in Seattle and lost that game 31-27. Seattle was the team proving they belong but the Rams knew deep down inside how different that NFC Championship game would have been if it weren’t in Seattle, one of the toughest cities to play in.
Welp, better luck next year, and watch for the LA Rams to put on a revenge tour this year. 2025 showed how strong and powerful the number 1 seed is overall. I don’t expect the Rams, McVay or this offense to let their foot off the gas all year and should be seen as a clear favorite to win the Super Bowl in 2027. No thanks to Ty Simpson.
