Los Angeles

Rams

Matthew Stafford, 38, is entrenched as the 2026 starter. Bonsignore writes that “the Rams are already planning for that inevitable transition” that will occur whenever Stafford chooses to retire. Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza is unlikely to be available when the Rams are on the clock with the 13th and 29th first-round picks. Bonsignore singles out Alabama QB Ty Simpson as an option for the Rams, while noting that they will likely take a look at Penn State QB Drew Allar, Miami QB Carson Beck, Arkansas QB Taylen Green, Georgia Tech QB Haynes King, Clemson QB Cade Klubnik and LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier at the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine.

Scheelhaase fielded several interviews for head coaching vacancies this offseason, and was once thought to be the front-runner to land the Browns’ head coaching job. Now, the 35-year-old coach will have his hands on the offense a little more with this latest promotion. Scheelhaase first joined the Rams in 2024 as an offensive assistant and passing game specialist, and has now received promotions in back-to-back years. We assume Sean McVay will continue to call plays, but this promotion will bode well for Scheelhaase’s future as he looks to eventually make the leap to a head-coaching role in the future.

Quessenberry signed a one-year deal with the Rams last offseason to fill a backup role. He appeared in 13 regular season games, seeing most of his work on special teams. He will take on a similar role in 2026.

Pleasant has also interviewed for openings with the Browns and Cardinals, although the Cardinals have already opted to retain last year’s defensive coordinator. Pleasant first joined the Rams in 2023 as their DB coach and passing game coordinator, and has never held a title of defensive coordinator in college or the pros. Pleasant played a key role in helping the Rams’ defense finish in the top-10 in points allowed while also ranking 12th in yards per attempt allowed. He’s drawn enough attention this coaching cycle to suggest that even if he doesn’t land a coordinator role this offseason, one could be in store for him in the very near future.

It was reported last week that Pleasant was “a name of interest” for the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator vacancy. Now, the long-time coach will meet with both teams to discuss their job openings to see if there could be a fit with either team. Pleasant has never served as a defensive coordinator and has spent time with five different teams since entering the league in 2013. Pleasant was also interviewed by the Chargers earlier this offseason for their defensive coordinator opening but was passed over for Chris O’Leary.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz broke the news, saying Kingsbury “wants to continue growing as a coach and learn more about what it takes to be a head coach in the NFL again.” This is a smart move. McVay has successfully balanced head-coaching duties while running the Rams’ offense since 2017. He won NFL Coach of the Year in his first season on the job and Super Bowl LVI in 2021. Kingsbury also ran the offense while serving as the Cardinals’ head coach from 2019-2022, though he did so less successfully.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes that this was the closest MVP race since Peyton Manning and Steve McNair shared the award in 2003. Stafford narrowly beat Patriots QB Drake Maye, winning 24 first-place votes to Maye’s 23 while totaling 366 points to Maye’s 361. Stafford closed his acceptance speech by telling the audience he will return for another season in 2026.

This will be the first time that an NFL game has been played in Australia. The NFL announced last year that the league had signed a multi-year commitment to host regular season games in Melbourne, as it expands the international market. The game will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which boasts a listed seating capacity of 100,024.

Stafford played through this injury all season. The same injury sidelined him for much of training camp and raised some doubts about his availability entering the season. Stafford played at an MVP caliber level despite dealing with the injury, and it sounds like the offseason will be all he needs to get right for next season, should he choose to return. Rapoport also noted that “as of at least a couple of days ago,” Stafford’s plan is to play next season.

Stafford, who turns 38 this month, said he will take “some time” to decide whether or not to return for another season. The 17-year vet is coming off arguably his best season as a pro and could soon take home MVP honors after throwing for 4,707-46-8 while leading the Rams to a 12-5 record. The Rams have a talented roster in place around Stafford that should be more than capable of running things back next season should he decide to return. After coming so close to his second trip to the Super Bowl, it’s hard to imagine him walking away after such a successful season while still playing at a high level.