There seems to be a general consensus that the Los Angeles Rams are no longer an elite team.
After winning the Super Bowl to wrap up the 2021 season, they stumbled through a turbulent title defense last season, suffering significant injuries to several players and poor play from their offensive line.
As a result, they won just five games and missed the playoffs.
This offseason, the Rams traded star cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins, while linebacker Bobby Wagner returned to the Seattle Seahawks.
However, the NFL reminded fans that the old guard of quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive back Aaron Donald are still around LA.
Matthew Stafford. Cooper Kupp. Aaron Donald.
The Star Power Is Back For The Super Bowl LVI Champs 🏆 @RamsNFL pic.twitter.com/DgShH2NaU1
— NFL (@NFL) May 16, 2023
Donald, who is nearing his 32nd birthday and his ninth season, is contemplating retirement, but he’ll be back to terrorize opposing signal-callers.
In 2022 he recorded 5.0 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and 11 quarterback hits, all of which were career lows, and those numbers were low partly because he missed six games due to injury.
Stafford, the biggest missing piece in 2021, played in just nine contests last season and had an off year statistically, but one would like to see his production bounce back at least somewhat this fall. Will give
Perhaps a major reason for his decline in production in 2022 was the fact that Kupp played in only nine games due to a sprained ankle.
He still managed to put up 812 yards and six touchdowns on the year after he had 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns during the Rams’ championship season.
The Rams won’t claim the Vince Lombardi Trophy next season, but if he has better luck when it comes to health, maybe he’ll be back in the playoffs.
next:
The Rams Are Signing A Former Ohio State Defensive Lineman