[Dare]

Back in the 2023 draft I had hoped the Rams would take McKee who I figured would be available in the 5th round. This guy is a pocket passer with an outstanding arm. I thought back then give him 2-3 years behind Stafford and the Rams would have their next QB1 when Stafford is done.

Well, they didn't, and the Eagles took him in the sixth round. He's currently #3 on their depth chart, but they might be hiding him. I've seen film of his preseason games, and he's really very good.

It's well-documented that McVay is impatient about developing quarterbacks. But look at Goff's development. Had McVay designed the offense to Goff's strengths, they wouldn't be looking for the next quarterback. Now some of the media types are looking at Darnold as their next target. Darnold is a good QB, much better than he's been portrayed. But he won't come cheap.

If the Rams made the Eagles a trade offer for McKee they could probably get him for a 6th round pick after the season. The Eagles would assume they are looking for a long-term QB2. If push comes to shove perhaps that's the way it might turn out. But McKee has arm strength and accuracy. The guy I saw in the preseason could make presnap reads and was doing so fairly well. I think he could be a first year starter.

What I'm pointing out is that there are a lot of ways the Rams can approach finding their next QB1, and none of them without some risk. But to think all is lost without Stafford wouldn't be correct. The Rams will have a choice to make, but they do have options. IMO grabbing someone like McKee would be the cheapest way to do it. They could keep Jimmy as a bridge if they so desire, but I don't think it would be necessary. I think they would be better off drafting a #2QB and having a second option (an affordable one) for 4 years. A player like Nussmeier might be there in the 3rd round.

The Rams have been looking at things with a more long-term perspective. Doing so at the QB position would be no different. Even if they do sign Darnold in the off-season they still need a good QB2 coming up behind him. One that actually has the potential to be a QB1 at some point. If Darnold blossoms then in their 4th year they might have trade bait with their QB2.