[Dare]

I was talking to a former business associate this morning who now lives in Minneapolis. He's a Viking fan of course but a nice guy who knows my passion for the Rams. He said the media there is pounding the table for the Vikings to put a first round tag on Darnold at the end of the season and not simply let him walk. They know he will be a hot commodity.

He knows how I think the Rams will target Darnold. I said I agree it's something they might consider. That said if no one is buying, that's a lot of money to pay for a one year bridge QB (about $41M). The Rams could simply wait a year then sign Darnold in 2026 with no compensation.

The smart thing would be for the Vikings to shop Darnold between the end of play but before the official end of the season. The trade can't be finalized until the beginning of the new season in March. In my opinion that is more likely and Darnold would likely have some say in the matter as to who he would play for. Let's face it the Rams would likely be at the top of any FA wish list. I told him there are a lot of moving parts but I think it could likely happen if it hasn't already happened behind the scenes.

Or the Rams could draft a QB1, in the first round so they have a 5th year option then either play Stafford another year or use Jimmy as a bridge with who ever mentoring the rookie.

I honestly feel the days of the immobile QB are gone (at least for now). The Rams don't need or want a running QB. They simply need a QB who can move and be enough of a threat to run in the Red Zone. Having an immobile QB is the primary problem of the Rams in the Red Zone. Matt isn't a threat to run in the Red Zone or short yardage (I'm not talking one yard push tush range).

[PARAM]

Well to be honest, right now, they don't need a QB PERIOD. But think about what you've said. You're suggesting if the Vikings franchise him, then trading him "between the end of play but before the official end of the season" would be a wise move? Isn't the trade deadline passed?

The Vikings may franchise him. Or....more likely, they may SIGN HIM long term. Don't get your hopes set on Darnold. And like I said, we don't need a QB right now PERIOD.

[ramsman34]

So not gonna happen. lol. The Rams will be drafting/acquiring a QB no earlier than 2026, controlling for injuries.

[actionjack]

I still hope we draft a guy in 2025, I want the QB to get the Jordan Love treatment. Who better to learn the NFL game then the Elite Brain of Stafford.

[PARAM]

I still hope we draft a guy in 2025, I want the QB to get the Jordan Love treatment. Who better to learn the NFL game then the Elite Brain of Stafford.

You know how there are some things you don't learn in a classroom? Same with QB. They can teach a guy how to use proper footwork....or arm angle/release.....or reading defenses....or moving the safety with his eyes. But there are some things non-transferrable like pre snap recognition or Stafford's inate ability to play QB on an insane level that can only be obtained with experience. Maybe.

They may get a young QB to be tutored by #9 but I don't have the slightest clue when. Ideally you want a talented, coachable college QB with lots of college experience, who can take over in year 2, so as to not eat up much of that 5 year control. But how hard is it to find them? And when?

I'd think even with all the scouting and proper evaluation there has to be a lot of luck involved.

[actionjack]

You know how there are some things you don't learn in a classroom? Same with QB. They can teach a guy how to use proper footwork....or arm angle/release.....or reading defenses....or moving the safety with his eyes. But there are some things non-transferrable like pre snap recognition or Stafford's inate ability to play QB on an insane level that can only be obtained with experience. Maybe.

They may get a young QB to be tutored by #9 but I don't have the slightest clue when. Ideally you want a talented, coachable college QB with lots of college experience, who can take over in year 2, so as to not eat up much of that 5 year control. But how hard is it to find them? And when?

I'd think even with all the scouting and proper evaluation there has to be a lot of luck involved.

Def luck involved as you dont really know until they face the speed of the NFL. However there are few QB's that understand the game like Staff, it would be malpractice not to have Staff train the next guy.

[Dare]

I think what a lot of people aren't considering is what this roster of future stars will begin to cost the Rams 2027. Long ways away? No not really because you figure if they draft a QB he will need a year maybe two to prepare. That's why if you draft a guy you take him in the first round because that 5th round option gives the team control of his rights for 5 years allowing him to sit for at least one perhaps two years.

The problem is who do you start for that minimum one year?

The reason I'm revisiting this thread is because the mood in MN regarding Darnold is heating up. If he takes them on a deep playoff run they will have to at least make an effort to keep him at least one more year (franchise tag) or trade him under the tag. Their GM is pretty good so I don't see him simply waving goodbye to Sam with no compensation.

Now with the market heating up around Darnold to $50M + that's more than they are paying Stafford. As I've pointed out that next year is an option year in Stafford's contract, i.e. a year in which when they originally drew it up 4 years ago, it was where Matt and the team sit down and talk about an extension.

I think Matt's demand for more guaranteed money this year was his attempt to gauge the Ram's interest. The fact they simply placated him with moving around about $1M in the contract money gave him the answer he probably was looking for. This is why I said at the time he was betting against himself.

The Rams didn't build this roster to lose it to the Cap. They are looking at what is going on in SF because of their cap and having to now pay for Purdy and seeing reality of cap constraints. I think they are rethinking drafting a QB in the first round with the idea of signing Jimmy to a reasonable 2 year deal to be a bridge & mentor. Most people roll their eyes in regards to Jimmy's play but there is no question the guy understands the position enough to mentor the rookie.

The other aspect not getting any thought from most is how long will McVay coach? I've posted before that I believe he will walk away at the end of his contract in 2027. If that is correct then Snead and Kroenke already know this and it changes the QB equation. If Shula is considered the next HC we have seen how good he is at developing young players, a strength he's better at than Sean. Stafford is due for a big raise next year to $49.6M way too much to pay for a one year bridge. Jimmy G will cost at most half of that.

The other wildcard is Purdy. Things are going south on an extension for him. He will be looking at being a UFA in 2026, but I think their is some truth to the rumors that they will franchise him and trade him and IMO they are looking right at Darnold.

Darnold does have some say where he ends up. So do the Ram's trade for him under a franchise contract? To keep him out of SF they might. Looking at the Ram's roster there is no question Sam probably has LA at the top of his wish list.

Regardless I think the signs point more towards Stafford is getting his final SB run with the Rams this year. IMO I think the Rams have made up their mind to move on from him despite McVay's love for him. QB rollouts, even an RPO element are being experimented by McVay even with Stafford and it's clear he's falling short in that regard. In today's NFL a QB must be able to move to threaten a defense with his legs as much as with his arm. That was brought painfully home to McVay in the Buffalo and Eagles games.

It's why I think Riley Leonard and Drew Allar are the best fits for a draft choice if they go that route. They are both essentially pocket passers with strong arms but with prototypical length and the ability to run to add additional threat to a defense. Let's face it, the QB being more than a passing threat is a huge hole in the Ram offense. Both project as QBs if given a redshirt year should be quality second-year starters while providing a quality #2 QB.

[actionjack]

I think what a lot of people aren't considering is what this roster of future stars will begin to cost the Rams 2027. Long ways away? No not really because you figure if they draft a QB he will need a year maybe two to prepare. That's why if you draft a guy you take him in the first round because that 5th round option gives the team control of his rights for 5 years allowing him to sit for at least one perhaps two years.

The problem is who do you start for that minimum one year?

The reason I'm revisiting this thread is because the mood in MN regarding Darnold is heating up. If he takes them on a deep playoff run they will have to at least make an effort to keep him at least one more year (franchise tag) or trade him under the tag. Their GM is pretty good so I don't see him simply waving goodbye to Sam with no compensation.

Now with the market heating up around Darnold to $50M + that's more than they are paying Stafford. As I've pointed out that next year is an option year in Stafford's contract, i.e. a year in which when they originally drew it up 4 years ago, it was where Matt and the team sit down and talk about an extension.

I think Matt's demand for more guaranteed money this year was his attempt to gauge the Ram's interest. The fact they simply placated him with moving around about $1M in the contract money gave him the answer he probably was looking for. This is why I said at the time he was betting against himself.

The Rams didn't build this roster to lose it to the Cap. They are looking at what is going on in SF because of their cap and having to now pay for Purdy and seeing reality of cap constraints. I think they are rethinking drafting a QB in the first round with the idea of signing Jimmy to a reasonable 2 year deal to be a bridge & mentor. Most people roll their eyes in regards to Jimmy's play but there is no question the guy understands the position enough to mentor the rookie.

The other aspect not getting any thought from most is how long will McVay coach? I've posted before that I believe he will walk away at the end of his contract in 2027. If that is correct then Snead and Kroenke already know this and it changes the QB equation. If Shula is considered the next HC we have seen how good he is at developing young players, a strength he's better at than Sean. Stafford is due for a big raise next year to $49.6M way too much to pay for a one year bridge. Jimmy G will cost at most half of that.

The other wildcard is Purdy. Things are going south on an extension for him. He will be looking at being a UFA in 2026, but I think their is some truth to the rumors that they will franchise him and trade him and IMO they are looking right at Darnold.

Darnold does have some say where he ends up. So do the Ram's trade for him under a franchise contract? To keep him out of SF they might. Looking at the Ram's roster there is no question Sam probably has LA at the top of his wish list.

Regardless I think the signs point more towards Stafford is getting his final SB run with the Rams this year. IMO I think the Rams have made up their mind to move on from him despite McVay's love for him. QB rollouts, even an RPO element are being experimented by McVay even with Stafford and it's clear he's falling short in that regard. In today's NFL a QB must be able to move to threaten a defense with his legs as much as with his arm. That was brought painfully home to McVay in the Buffalo and Eagles games.

It's why I think Riley Leonard and Drew Allar are the best fits for a draft choice if they go that route. They are both essentially pocket passers with strong arms but with prototypical length and the ability to run to add additional threat to a defense. Let's face it, the QB being more than a passing threat is a huge hole in the Ram offense. Both project as QBs if given a redshirt year should be quality second-year starters while providing a quality #2 QB.

Jimmy G is simply a break on glass in case of emergency at QB. He is a good backup who could hopefully get you a couple wins if needed for a couple games.

Rams need to draft the next guy as teams are rarely going to let an upper echelon QB hit the market. IMO we are already behind in this matter, as Staff probably only plays 1-2 years more.

When Stafford is done, so is our realistic window of chips unless we strike gold in the draft or miraculously sign a top QB. Groom the guy now while we have both Staff and McVay.

[majik]

The Vikings would be stupid to not at least retain Darnold on a franchise tag next year. It’s not like JJ McCarthy was seen as being ready to step in and start right away (hence the Vikings signing Darnold as a one-year bridge). With McCarthy being injured, they are essentially in the same position as they were heading into this year.

Did I miss the Stafford is retiring at the end of this year memo? When the Vikings are possibly ready to hand the reigns to McCarthy after 2025, then perhaps trading for Darnold might be something the Rams consider especially since he is thriving in a McVay disciple’s offense and Stafford would be one year older and even more releasable.

[ramman2999]

I like Bryce Young. Cheaper alternative. He can sit another season if Stafford wants to play.