Los Angeles Rams 2025 NFL Season Preview

The biggest success of the Rams’ offseason was convincing Matthew Stafford to stay for one more season. McVay also hinted at stepping away from the sport, but the coach is locked back in. They acted smartly in the offseason to add more firepower to their roster.

Improvements have been made on the other side of the ball as well. A few free agents were snapped up to address the defensive issues. However, the loss of a franchise legend, Cooper Kupp, will hurt them. The Super Bowl LVI MVP was released in a move to save cap space. The management has enough faith in the current roster to see the next season through.

Notable Signings & Retentions:

Matthew Stafford (QB) – Stafford explored the possibility of a trade to another franchise. However, the star player and the team committed to each other, meaning he would most likely stay with the Rams and end his career here.

Davante Adams (WR) – In one of the moves of the offseason, the Rams spent big money relatively to sign one of the veterans who is best at his position and is not slowing down anytime soon.

Poona Ford (DT) – Another veteran to add experience to the young roster. Ford had 3 sacks and 39 tackles for the Chargers last season and is going strong.

Coleman Shelton (C) – Shelton will add an option alongside 2024 rookie Beaux Limmer. Shelton is already well-versed with McVay’s offense thanks to time earlier with the team.

Nate Landman (LB) – After losing Christian Rozeboom and Jake Hummel, they needed some numbers in the linebacker room. Landman brings his presence and experience to that department.

Tutu Atwell (WR) – The speedy wide receiver continued his stay with the Rams by signing a one-year deal. McVay promised we would be seeing more of the player this season.

Alaric Jackson (OL) – Signed a bumper 3-year contract worth $57 million. He will be protecting Matthew Stafford for years to come.

Ronnie Rivers (RB) – Extended his three-year stay by signing a one-year contract. He will be a member of their rotation and special teams.

Troy Reeder (LB) – Despite being injured and missing the remainder of the season, he signed a contract extension to extend his stay.

Derion Kendrick (CB) – The cornerback was waived initially to save cap as he recovered from an ACL injury. However, he was signed again at a lower value.

Key Exits

Cooper Kupp (WR) – The widely celebrated Kupp was plagued with injuries recently. Despite his desire to stay, he was released by the franchise after they failed to find a trade partner for him. Kupp said he was pretty much disappointed for not being given the chance to end his career with the Rams.

Michael Hoecht (DT) – With a suspension looming over his head, the Rams didn’t fancy an extension with Hoecht as they let the Super Bowl winner leave.

Bobby Brown III (DT) – Brown had a career year in 2024 and wanted a larger role going forward. The Carolina Panthers offered him just that, and the player left on free agency.

Christian Rozeboom (LB) – The leading tackler from the previous season, followed Bobby Brown to the Panthers on a 1-year deal.

Jake Hummel (LB) – A prominent member of the special teams, Hummel signed for the Baltimore Ravens with the hope of starting more.

Quintez Cephus (WR) – A perennial member of the practice squad, he was waived by the Rams to make space on their roster.

The Rams traded their first-round pick to the Falcons and used their chance to pick only six players.

Here’s a breakdown of the Rams’ draft class:

1. Round 2, No. 46: Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon

The Rams' tight end room was a bit short and unproductive last season. They picked up a TE this early for the first time since 2017 to address this issue. Ferguson had a single-season tight end record of 43 receptions at Oregon, and his 591 receiving yards were the second most by a tight end in the team's history.

2. Round 3, No. 90: Josaiah Stewart, LB, Michigan

Stewart might be just 6’1 ft, on the shorter end for edge rushers, but he certainly doesn’t play like that, according to McVay. He is absolutely necessary in the defensive unit after losing Michael Hoecht to the Buffalo Bills. 9 of his 14 sacks came at outside linebacker, meaning he could very well be used there.

3. Round 4, No. 117: Jarquez Hunter, RB, Auburn

Hunter adds depth to a running back department that is already stacked. He was a two-year starter at Auburn and rushed for 1,201 yards and eight touchdowns in 187 carries in 2024. He also had 21 catches for 155 yards and a touchdown.

4. Round 5, No. 148: Ty Hamilton, DT, Ohio State

The scouts did their work right with Hamilton as the Rams traded a couple of spots to get him in the fifth round. He started 16 games for Ohio last season and had an impressive 1,533 career snaps. With only six defensive tackle misses since 2021, he is an efficient player who adds value to the defense.

5. Round 5, No. 172: Chris Paul Jr., LB, Ole Miss

Linebacker was a position they very much needed after losing two key players to free agency. They traded up a position again to add to the position. Paul was the defensive leader for Ole Miss with 84 tackles in 2024. He is also tied for the fifth-most tackles in the SEC since 2022 with 222.

6. Round 7, No. 242 Konata Mumpfield, WR, Pittsburgh

The Rams possess one of the most fearsome Wide receiver rosters in the league. They are building for the future already with the addition of Mumpfield. He averaged 15.6 yards per catch, finishing with 52 catches for 813 yards along with five touchdowns last season for Pittsburgh.

Linebacker might be the most overlooked position in the Rams' defence in the McVay era. They often fill the position with undrafted free agents and third-round picks. The last premium signing was an enforced one because of Bobby Wagner’s wage-related exit. Omar Speights’ emergence might spell the end for that problem as he is on the verge of a true breakout season.

Omar Speights has gone from an Undrafted Free Agent to a starter in less than a year. He not only made an impression as a rookie but also went into the lineup and made his side’s defense formidable. After great reviews about him everywhere, he is set to start the new season and play an even important role in his side’s quest for glory.

Speights is a no-nonsense defender who always tries to win it back. He is evolving as a player with each passing game. His communication is improving, and his awareness of Chris Shula’s defence will take his game to the next level. He has an impressive 419 snaps along with 49 tackles in the 2024 season. Alongside Jared Verse and Kam Kinchens, he is set to form an existing defensive trio at the franchise for years to come.

The league believes the Rams will come good again by giving them 5 island games. They start a league campaign at home for the first time since 2022. They hit the road afterwards before taking on a revenge match against Super Bowl LIX champions Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles got the better of the Rams in a close snow-filled postseason game. They came the closest to ending the Eagles’ dream run.

They travel to London for the first time since 2019 to play the Jaguars at Wembley Stadium. A bye week nicely follows that up as they enjoy a stretch of games at home.

The end of the season, however, sees them travel a lot. They travel the second most in the league this season, next to the Chargers.

Week 1: Sept. 7 vs. Houston Texans

Week 2: Sept. 14 at Tennessee Titans

Week 3: Sept. 21 at Philadelphia Eagles

Week 4: Sept. 28 vs. Indianapolis Colts

Week 5: Oct. 2 vs. San Francisco 49ers (TNF)

Week 6: Oct. 12 at Baltimore Ravens

Week 7: Oct. 19 at Jaguars (London)

Week 8: Bye week

Week 9: Nov. 2 vs. New Orleans Saints

Week 10: Nov. 9 at 49ers

Week 11: Nov. 16 vs. Seattle Seahawks

Week 12: Nov. 23 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 13: Nov. 30 at Carolina Panthers

Week 14: Dec. 7 at Arizona Cardinals

Week 15: Dec. 14 vs. Detroit Lions

Week 16: Dec. 18 at Seahawks (TNF)

Week 17: Dec. 29 at Atlanta Falcons (MNF)

Week 18: vs. Cardinals

*Date for Week 18 is to be determined

Final Record Projection: 12-5

The Rams earned a reputation for being slow starters in the previous two seasons. This time around, the schedule is favourable for them to make a decent start at the very least. Their perilous starts in the previous season forced them to go on epic winning runs to make it to the playoffs. It might not be the case this time as they can start decent and end the season with a strong run to win their division and make it to the playoffs. Their load management, especially with the amount of travel involved, will play a key role in their performances thereafter.

The Los Angeles Rams know that they are in the endgame now. They got McVay and Stafford back for one more year. The stars in the team are raring to go to make sure they create one more memorable season with the icons. The offence is as ominous as ever. Stafford has excellent receivers in Puka Nacua and the incoming Davante Adams. Kyren Williams will be a force to reckon with if he stays fit.

The defence found a new lease of life after Shula got his tactics right and trusted the youth. The new defensive stars like Jared Verse, Bradon Fiske, Kamren Kitches and Omar Speights have fortified their backline. If the offense fires on all cylinders, the Rams can easily win their conference and challenge for the Super Bowl again.