Potential replacements for Matthew Stafford
By: Jake Rajala
There is a chance that Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who will most likely win MVP this season, is going to retire this offseason. Stafford played for a long, long time in the Motor City, but he found fortune in Los Angeles. He has won a Super Bowl, and he could add an MVP to his closet. With that said, I’m going to unfold several potential replacements for him.
Joe Burrow
Joe Burrow has expressed a distaste with his situation recently. He may be tempted to play with one of the few teams that has a better WR group than his. He also could play under Sean McVay, who is arguably a cream of the crop play-caller. Plus, the Rams are much better in pass protection. LAR come with a Top-10 defense, too.
Spencer Rattler
Spencer Rattler has untapped potential. He showed growth from last season to this season. Rattler mainly reminds me of Jay Cutler and Big Ben with their throwing deep and on the run, too. Rattler may not be a slam dunk starter, but he could compete for the QB1 role. Tyler Shough proved to be the true answer at QB for the Saints, anyhow.
Malik Willis
It’s time for Malik Willis to come out of the dark. It may somewhat of a learning curve for McVay to use a QB that’s a dual threat QB. However, it may be a bonus that he can use his legs. Willis filled in admirably for Jordan Love when he went down. Willis recorded an 85.7 completion percentage, 422 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He also had 123 rushing yards.
Jameis Winston
Jameis Winston was once 5-2 and on path to make the playoffs with Sean Payton and the Saints. I believe this version of Winston is still in him. McVay is the perfect guy to unleash him. He is 32, so he still has time to revive his career. Winston will most likely not be a Pro Bowler with his situation with the GMEN.
Davis Mills
Davis Mills may still be playing if he started over CJ Stroud, who threw four interceptions in his last playoff battle. Mills may steal the show with his neck, but he has plenty of arm talent. Mills threw 5 TDs, 1 int, and had an 81.6 passer rating this season. This came despite him having average weaponry (at best) around him.
Tua Tagovailoa
Tua could be a bargain for the Rams. They won’t have to break the bank for him, especially after he threw 15 ints. He still has a lot of potential in him. He once threw the most passing yards in a season and also once had the best completion percentage. Furthermore, Tua is 27 years old, so he has a lot of time to turn things around.
Mac Jones
Mac Jones is my last pick, due to him residing in the NFC West (with the 49ers). Nonetheless, he has really shown the league what he’s capable of when Brock Purdy went down with an injury. He threw 13 TDs to 6 ints. He was also not playing with Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle was even injured at moments.
Honorable Mention
J.J. McCarthy
If anyone can turn around J.J. Mccarthy, it’s Sean McVay. He can get McCarthy out in space throwing the football and using his legs. McCarthy can also throw screens to his elite WR duo to get better situations than what he usually had in Minnesota. I don’t imagine that the Rams would have to break the bank for McCarthy, especially with him throwing more ints than touchdowns this season.
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