HEADLINES

Month: April 2023

Giants Interested In Early Andrew Thomas Extension

April 9th, 2023 at 11:51am CST by Sam Robinson

Just as David Bakhtiari and Trent Williams benefited from Laremy Tunsil‘s first Texans extension, a younger crop of left tackles will move into that position after Houston locked down its left-sider once again.

Tunsil signed a three-year, $75MM deal to once again raise the ceiling at his position. Not only is Tunsil the NFL’s highest-paid left tackle, only two other offensive linemen — Williams and Bakhtiari — come within $4MM in AAV of Houston’s top blocker. Teams could look to categorize Tunsil’s latest deal as an outlier, but as younger tackles move into position for extensions, this contract — for a 29-year-old lineman — will undoubtedly become a discussion point.

This will now affect the Giants. Tunsil’s AAV will be the floor for Andrew Thomas, according to The Athletic’s Dan Duggan (subscription required). The Giants will have the 2020 first-round pick under contract for two more seasons — once they pick up his fifth-year option by May — but Duggan adds the team is interested in extending its ascending left tackle early.

A 2023 extension for Thomas, 24, would be a move slightly out of step with teams’ strategies with young tackles. But not all of them. Between 2011-19, 13 first-round tackles signed extensions. Of those, four did so with two years of rookie-contract control remaining (Kolton Miller, Eric Fisher, Lane Johnson, Tyron Smith). And Smith’s Cowboys extension — which somehow remains an active contract, despite it being signed in 2014 — was an outlier due to its eight-year length. The rest of the extended tackles signed deals in their contract years.

The Giants have Dexter Lawrence as a 2023 extension priority, with the cornerstone defensive tackle going into his fifth-year option season, and are carrying a $10.1MM Saquon Barkley franchise tag. The Giants also have Leonard Williams attached to a $32.3MM cap number in the third and final year of his contract. These matters being unresolved would point to the team tabling Thomas’ extension to 2024. (The team holds just $2.2MM in cap space.) Precedent, for the most part, would make this the more logical conclusion. The left tackle market also might not move too much between now and the ’24 offseason, with no high-end blindsiders entering contract years.

That said, the salary cap will make another jump in 2024. And another strong Thomas season would bolster his value. As such, the Giants — should they extend Barkley to reduce his 2023 cap number — could offer Thomas a non-market-topping extension this offseason and put him to a decision of taking it or betting on himself moving into a stronger negotiating position in 2024.

This represents a good problem for the Giants, who struggled to staff this position for years. The Ereck Flowers No. 9 overall pick did not pan out, and the team’s Nate Solder free agency overpay did not solve the issue, either. Thomas struggled as a rookie but graded as a top-20 tackle, per Pro Football Focus, in 2021. Last season, the Georgia product earned second-team All-Pro acclaim and moved onto the radar for a top-tier extension.

The Giants’ O-line makeup should allow the team to fit a Thomas extension onto the payroll. The team does not have another upper-crust O-line contract on the books, and right tackle Evan Neal‘s first-round deal runs through 2025 (2026 if his option ends up being exercised). The team has this position checked off, at long last, and Thomas will be a key factor in Daniel Jones‘ success on his new contract. Barring injury, Thomas will be in excellent position to cash in — perhaps on a market-resetting deal.

Bobby Wagner Aiming To Play Beyond 2023; Seahawks Planning To Reduce LB’s Workload

April 9th, 2023 at 10:30am CST by Sam Robinson

Becoming a lock Hall of Famer during his first Seahawks stint, Bobby Wagner finished his one-and-done Rams stay as a second-team All-Pro. Wagner has earned first- or second-team All-Pro honors in nine straight seasons. Even as the decorated linebacker enters his age-33 season, he looks to be a major addition for a Seahawks team that lost Cody Barton in free agency.

Wagner is back in Seattle on a one-year deal worth $5.5MM. Pro Football Focus’ top-graded 2022 linebacker joins ex-Steeler Devin Bush as additions the Seahawks made on their defensive second level this offseason. While the 2012 second-round pick is only committed to the team for one more season, he said (via the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta) the goal will be to play beyond 2023.

The 10-year Seahawks starter acknowledged he is on a year-to-year arrangement at this point in his career, but as of now, retirement is not the plan for 2024. This could be significant for the Seahawks, given Wagner’s 2022 form. He finished with 140 tackles — down from his 170-tackle surge in 2021 — but a career-high six sacks, showing intriguing form in Los Angeles’ 3-4 scheme. Wagner, who patrolled the middle of a 4-3 Seattle look throughout his first Seahawks stint, will step into DC Clint Hurtt‘s 3-4 setup soon.

As for the Hawks’ plans regarding Wagner’s usage, ESPN.com’s Brady Henderson notes Pete Carroll and John Schneider have hinted at a reduced workload compared to his ironman snap rate during his first Seattle run. Wagner hardly left the field during his initial Seahawks tenure, playing no fewer than 93% of the team’s defensive snaps from 2013-21. For a Rams team that lost numerous starters to injury last season, Wagner was on the field for 99% of the team’s defensive plays.

Given Wagner’s age, it makes sense for the Seahawks to attempt a conservation effort. He has logged more than 1,000 defensive snaps in six of the past seven seasons, topping 1,100 in 2020 and ’21. That said, Condotta adds Wagner will likely begin the season wearing the green dot — signifying headset communication — due to his experience and Jordyn Brooks‘ January ACL tear. Wagner is certainly an ideal player for that role, and it is possible he plays a higher snap percentage early in the season — as Brooks finishes up his rehab effort — than he does down the stretch. But planning to take Wagner off the field and actually doing so will be different matters for the Seahawks, who have seen few players contribute as much to their cause in team history.

Brooks, who is going into his fourth season, did not undergo ACL surgery until late January. He will be a candidate to begin the season on the reserve/PUP list, which would sideline the former first-round pick for at least four games to begin the campaign. Wagner represents an ideal option to hold down the fort until his former sidekick returns. Once that happens, the Wagner-Brooks duo the team deployed at linebacker in 2021 will likely reform.

Latest On Potential NFL European Expansion

April 8th, 2023 at 9:31pm CST by Adam La Rose

The NFL held five games outside the U.S. in 2022, including a debut in Germany. The success of that endeavor has led to the expectation that more international games will be staged in the coming years, but a more drastic step could also be coming.

The creation of a four-team, all-European division has come up in discussion, and is apparently picking up steam, as noted by A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports. One anonymous owner went as far as to say, “we don’t know if it’s going to happen in two years, five years, or whenever, but there’s going to be an international division.”

The idea of an NFL team operating in London in particular dates back several years. The league targeted having a team based there by 2022 at one point, though that has not come to fruition. That city has, however, hosted most of the games played abroad since the International Series began in 2007. Every NFL team has played outside the U.S. since then, and squads will continue to do so especially with a 17-game schedule in place.

“I think what we are focused on is building capacity so if there were that opportunity — whether a club wanted to consider relocation or potentially looking at expansion — we are in that mode,” NFL executive VP Peter O’Reilly said recently. “In London, where we’ve been for a long time, and now in Germany, we’re making sure we’ve got the stadium partners, the governmental partners, and the fan support to sustain that possibility.”

A single team playing abroad, let alone four, would obviously present a number of logistical challenges. On the other hand, expansion in particular would represent an avenue for a major new revenue stream. Perez notes that expansion fees in the range of $3 to $5 billion could be seen, something which would offset the existing franchises losing out on a portion of the money they bring in through media rights deals.

The NFL last expanded in 2002 with the Texans, and have not added multiple teams at once since 1995 when the Panthers and Jaguars arrived. No more than two franchises have entered the league at any one time, so the creation of an all-European division could be historic in more ways than one. While nothing is imminent, momentum seems to continue building towards such an idea becoming a reality down the road.

NFC Draft Notes: Lions, Bears, Falcons

April 8th, 2023 at 8:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

As many as four quarterbacks could hear their names called within the top 10 picks in the 2023 draft, leaving many questions to be answered for teams in position to land a top signal-caller. The Lions hold the sixth selection, which could allow them to make an addition at the position.

That seems unlikely, given the presence of incumbent Jared Goff and the team’s needs at other areas, though. When speaking about the matter of quarterback evaluations, head coach Dan Campbell confirmed his approval of Goff, while leaving the door open to a rookie passer being added at some point.

“What we were hopeful and thought we were going to get [in Goff] is a guy who, man, he’s our guy,” Campbell said (video link via CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones). “He’s bought us time here. We believe we can win with Jared Goff. In the meantime, we also know he’s not going to be here for the next 10 years… It’s not like Jared Goff’s a rookie, so certainly our eyes are on, potentially a quarterback. And the question is, where do you acquire that at? And that’s something that [GM] Brad [Holmes] and I kick around all the time… We don’t feel like we’re pressed. But that doesn’t mean our eyes aren’t on a quarterback.”

Goff is under contract for two more years, but the Lions could move on from him after the 2023 season given the nature of his contract. The team has the 18th and 48th selections this year; the latter could be used on Tennessee product Hendon Hooker, who has a visit lined up with Detroit. How that process goes could determine the team’s willingness to use a high pick on a potential Goff successor.

Here are some other draft-related items from the NFC:

  • The Bears have, as expected, been active so far in free agency. Their spending to date has not, however, yielded an addition at offensive tackle. General manager Ryan Poles said (via The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain) Chicago will “keep an eye” on the remaining veteran options, a group which was thinned out considerably during the opening days of the new league year. Poles confirmed that the next move will likely come at the draft, where they hold pick No. 9. That spot could land them Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski or Ohio State alum Paris Johnson Jr., as they also look to find the best long-term position for 2022 fifth-rounder Braxton Jones. The latter played full-time on the blindside as a rookie, but could move to right tackle depending on how the first round plays out.
  • The offensive front is considered a strength for the Falcons, especially with right guard Chris Lindstrom in place on the largest contract in league history signed by an interior lineman. That has led many to expect Atlanta to look at other positions with the eighth overall pick, but NFL Network’s James Palmer notes the team is looking into o-line options with their top selection (video link). In particular, the Falcons could be eyeing Skoronski or Johnson on the inside to start their career, with the potential to take over from Jake Matthews at left tackle. The latter, 31, is on the books through 2026 but only has guaranteed money on his deal for two more seasons. A defensive addition would come as no surprise on Atlanta’s part, but they will have at least done their homework on the top lineman prospects.

Panthers To Sign DL John Penisini

April 8th, 2023 at 6:59pm CST by Adam La Rose

John Penisini‘s time in the NFL appeared to be over after only two seasons played, but that may no longer be the case. The defensive lineman is set sign with the Panthers this coming week, as noted (on Twitter) by his agent David Canter.

Penisini began his career as a Lions draftee. In his rookie campaign, he started 12 of 16 games and logged a snap share of 51%. His level of play while logging such a notable workload raised expectations for him in the future, but things took a turn for the worst in the subsequent offseason. The former sixth-rounder underwent surgery to remove large masses from each of his shoulders.

Penisini was able to suit up for 16 contests in 2021, but saw his playing time drop dramatically. He had been unable to recover as hoped from the shoulder issues, and announced his retirement last June. The Lions thus placed him on the reserve/retired list for an extended stretch, though they waived him last month. That left the Utah product free to sign with any team in the event he felt a comeback was possible.

That is obviously now the case, with a Carolina deal in place. Aged 25, Penisini could have plenty of productive time available to him if he were able to remain healthy moving forward. This contract will provide him with the opportunity to compete for a roster spot in training camp, and a rotational role along the team’s defensive front if things go according to plan.

Carolina has Derrick Brown, Bravvion Roy and recently re-signed Henry Anderson in place as holdovers from their 2022 d-line. Matthew Ioannidis remains a free agent, but the Panthers have added Shy Tuttle on a three-year, $19.5MM deal. Penisini will look to carve out a role amongst that group as he eyes an NFL return.

Patriots Host DE Nolan Smith, WR Zay Flowers

April 8th, 2023 at 6:01pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Patriots are set to pick 14th overall in this month’s draft, a position which will give them a number of options to choose from on both sides of the ball. They have recently met with one of the top pass-rushing and pass-catching prospects in the 2023 class.

New England hosted Georgia defensive end Nolan Smith earlier this week, as detailed by Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. That adds to the widespread interest the highly athletic defender has received in the build-up to the draft, which includes his contributions to the Bulldogs’ national title and an impressive combine performance. The Buccaneers, Ravens and Jaguars have all met with Smith recently, and further visits would come as no surprise given the widespread expectation that he is a first-round lock.

The 6-3, 235-pounder never put up massive pass-rushing numbers during his four years at Georgia, with his best campaign coming in 2021. That year, he racked up 4.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss in 12 games. Smith was limited to just eight contests this season due to a torn pectoral muscle, but still sits near the top of most edge rush prospect rankings. The Patriots ranked fourth in the league in sacks last season, with Matt Judon and Josh Uche each hitting double-digits. Judon is under contract through 2024, but Uche is entering a contract year and could be replaced down the road if they elected to draft Smith.

New England has also had a sit-down with Boston College wideout Zay Flowers, Wilson tweets. Flowers has already taken meetings with the Giants, as well as the Cowboys and Raiders. He is firmly on the first-round radar as one of the most elusive and effective downfield prospects in the class. Interestingly, Wilson reports that multiple NFL teams have graded the 5-10, 177-pounder in the top half of the opening round.

The Patriots struggled on offense in 2022, in no small part due to their lack of efficiency in the passing game. New England signed JuJu Smith-Schuster in a move which should offset the loss of Jakobi Meyers, but an impact addition in the draft should be expected. Flowers – who eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in 2022 – could significantly boost a Patriots offense which ranked 26th in the NFL in yards per contest (315) last season.

Given the interest already showed in both Smith and Flowers, New England may face the possibility of both hearing their names called before they are on the clock. If one or both are still available, though, the team will be well-versed in each prospect.

DE Tyree Wilson Visits Texans, Bears

April 8th, 2023 at 4:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Tyree Wilson‘s final Texas Tech season ended early; a foot injury closed the book on the talented edge defender’s college career. That has not stopped him from becoming one of the top prospects available.

Most teams who are holding top-10 picks will look into Wilson. The Texans and Bears started this process this week, with KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reporting the 6-foot-6 D-lineman met with both teams. Tyree Wilson’s pre-draft tour will be extensive. He will visit nearly every team in the top 10, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Wilson grades as the second-best edge player in this class — behind only Will Anderson Jr. — and neither ESPN’s Scouts Inc. nor NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah ranks the former Big 12 pass rusher too far behind the SEC star. Wilson sits as Jeremiah’s No. 4 overall player and slots fifth in ESPN’s view. He finished with seven sacks in each of the past two seasons, compiling the seven in 2022 despite playing only 10 games.

It makes sense Wilson is a popular name on the pre-draft interview circuit. Medical intel serves as one of the central purposes for “30” visits, and it is interesting that Wilson has surged near the top of the prospect board after suffering an injury that required surgery. Wilson underwent a foot procedure in November, but Aaron Wilson adds the coveted prospect has been medically cleared. He should not have an issue being ready for minicamp or training camp. Wilson only performed bench press reps at the Combine and did not participate

The Texans eschewing a long-rumored quarterback pick for an edge rusher has entered the equation at No. 2 overall, and while Anderson is rumored to be the prospect Houston would consider if it took that unexpected route, Wilson has obviously generated considerable buzz during the pre-draft process. The defensive line led the way for DeMeco Ryans‘ 49ers defenses; San Francisco used a No. 2 overall pick — Nick Bosa — to reshape that unit in 2019. The Texans also have another first-round pick this year (No. 12) and two next year, in the event Ryans and GM Nick Caserio view one of this class’ pass rushers as too good to ignore. Having lost Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Rasheem Green in free agency, the Texans are certainly need on the edge.

The Bears, who hold the No. 9 pick after their blockbuster Panthers trade, have made multiple signings up front, but neither Green nor DeMarcus Walker profile as players who would prevent the team from making a major investment at the position in the draft. Chicago, which dealt Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn last year, finished last in sacks (20) last season and is eyeing pass-rushing help in the draft. The Bears have already brought Jalen Carter in for a visit.

Latest On Buccaneers’ QB Competition

April 8th, 2023 at 4:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

Baker Mayfield added some late-season high notes with the Rams — most notably via a stunning 98-yard game-winning drive against the Raiders two days after being claimed off waivers — but the former No. 1 overall pick is coming off another down season on the whole. He ranked last in QBR by a substantial margin.

The Panthers benched Mayfield before his Charlotte tenure wrapped, and a quarterback once on the extension radar in Cleveland settled for a one-year deal worth $4MM in base value this offseason. Other teams pursued the former Browns playoff starter, however. The Ravens are believed to have made him an offer. But the Buccaneers offered appealing components that enticed the sixth-year veteran to take on the task of succeeding Tom Brady.

“I finally had some [time] to think; I think that’s the key word,” Mayfield said, via SI.com’s Albert Breer. “And, yeah, just looking at it from a big-picture standpoint, I want to play this game for a long time. So where’s the next spot that’s going to be the most stable position, where I can come in and compete, and do the best I can to showcase what I’m capable of? This is a great opportunity to do so.

“Normally when a spot like this opens up, it’s because bad things have happened. But this one, it’s just because Tom retired. So it’s a perfect opportunity for me.”

Mayfield said he targeted the Bucs early in free agency, per Breer. Although $4MM is nowhere close to what the expected free agency goal was when the former Heisman winner entered his contract year with Carolina, he will land on a team with two Super Bowl starters at wide receiver — Mike Evans and Chris Godwin — along with $10MM-per-year pass catcher Russell Gage. The Bucs also will have center Ryan Jensen back, after he missed most of last season with MCL and PCL tears (and a partially torn ACL), along with All-Pro tackle Tristan Wirfs in the fold. Tampa Bay needs more help up front, with a Shaq Mason trade following a rough year for most of the team’s blockers. But Mayfield did join a team with many accomplished players — and one that resides in what was last season’s weakest division.

Heading into his age-28 season, Mayfield may only need to beat out Kyle Trask, whom the Bucs chose 64th overall in 2021. Trask sat behind Brady and Blaine Gabbert for two seasons. Bruce Arians, who was Tampa Bay’s HC when Trask arrived, has offered praise for the third-year passer’s pocket presence, per Breer, who adds new Bucs OC Dave Canales is a fan of the catchable balls Trask throws. While the Florida product has supporters in the building, he has just nine career pass attempts. Still, Mayfield’s past two seasons would not stand to make him a prohibitive favorite here.

Sam Darnold retook the Panthers’ reins after losing a training camp competition to Mayfield, who finished with a QBR figure nearly 10 points worse than any other qualified passer in 2022. Mayfield did complete 86% of his passes and account for three touchdowns during a Christmas Day blowout of the Broncos, but he is attempting to shake off two disappointing years. Mayfield led the Browns to the playoffs in 2020, snapping one of the longest playoff droughts in NFL history (18 years), but suffered a shoulder injury early in the 2021 season. Mayfield’s struggles that year prompted the Browns to give Deshaun Watson an astonishing guarantee — one that kept him out of the NFC South — and complete the trade with the Panthers.

The Bucs will host Hendon Hooker on a pre-draft visit next week, but the team’s No. 19 overall draft slot would likely require a trade-up maneuver to land one of this year’s four higher-profile passers. Absent a high draft choice, the Bucs are set to hold a Mayfield-Trask competition during a season overshadowed by the Brady period’s dead-money bills. Tampa Bay’s $75.3MM in dead cap leads the league by nearly $25MM. This might be Mayfield’s last shot to prove he is an NFL starter. Doing so would mean a more interesting 2024 market or a Bucs extension.

Jets To Meet With Odell Beckham Jr.

April 8th, 2023 at 2:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

Taking his time during his latest go-round in free agency, Odell Beckham Jr. has received multiple offers. And the standout wide receiver has been most closely tied to the Jets, with Aaron Rodgers leading the charge to bring Beckham back to the Big Apple.

The Jets will take a closer look at OBJ soon. The eight-year veteran will head back to New York on Sunday night for a Monday visit, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports (on Twitter). Beckham spoke with teams — including the Jets — at last week’s league meetings, but this is believed to be his first free agency visit this year.

[RELATED: Joe Douglas Proclaims Confidence In Rodgers Trade]

This visit will involve a physical, SNY’s Connor Hughes tweets. Considering the 30-year-old pass catcher’s career stalled because the February 2022 ACL tear was his second in 16 months, the physical will be a critical part of this meeting. The sides have been discussing this visit for around three weeks, ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini adds (on Twitter). Strong mutual interest exists here, Cimini tweets. Discussion on Beckham’s fit in a Rodgers-led offense — one that houses Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson as the wide receiver centerpiece — will also understandably be part of this visit, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets.

Beckham’s 2022 crested with a three-visit December, but contract demands and the ACL tear sustained in Super Bowl LVI led to the former Giants Pro Bowler sitting out the season. The Jets were nowhere near the Beckham radar during his 2021 in-season free agency trip or his 2022 tour, but with Rodgers on track to be traded to the New York, the team with the league’s longest playoff drought may well be leading the latest OBJ sweepstakes.

Sunday will mark Beckham’s second official visit in New York since December. The Giants met with their former draftee at that point, and although OBJ gave his former team the first visit of that December tour, he met with the Bills and Cowboys as well. Dallas quickly became the clubhouse leader, with Jerry Jones leading the charge and publicly proclaiming Beckham would be a Cowboy. That did not happen, and Dallas has since traded for Brandin Cooks.

The Giants are still lurking here. John Mara indicated the door remains open despite Big Blue re-signing Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard and adding Parris Campbell and Jamison Crowder to its receiver mix. Rams brass also said OBJ returning to L.A. is a possibility, but after the 2022 offseason produced nonstop Beckham-Rams connections, the team’s conservative 2023 offseason has not produced nearly as many rumors on that front. The Ravens have made Beckham an offer, but it might be difficult for the three-time Pro Bowler to commit presently, given the uncertainty surrounding Baltimore’s quarterback situation. The Chiefs have also re-emerged on the Beckham radar, but the Jets continue to reside front and center in this pursuit.

While the Jets do not have their presumptive starting QB on the roster yet, Rodgers has long been expected to be traded to the AFC East squad. The Jets have been chasing Beckham for weeks, with Rodgers encouraging the team to sign the player the Packers pursued in 2021. The Jets have been busy at receiver ahead of this visit, signing Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman and trading Elijah Moore to the Browns. If Beckham is to become a Jet, Corey Davis is likely to be released.

Beckham joining the Jets would give them an interesting receiver quartet, one that would feature three new pieces alongside Wilson. The Jets being perhaps in pole position in this derby continues an unusual offseason for the downtrodden club, but the impending Rodgers trade has understandably coincided with splashy additions elsewhere. Lazard, Hardman and safety Chuck Clark are now in the fold. Numbers will play the lead role in closing this elusive deal. Beckham has been vocal about his annoyance with previous offers. Long connected to a $20MM-per-year ask, OBJ denied that is his price. But he clearly wants considerably more than what teams have proposed.

The Super Bowl injury crushed his 2022 market. That coupled with the October 2020 tear has undoubtedly cooled his 2023 prospects as well. The Jets hold just more than $9MM in cap space, though their QB1 contract is not yet on the roster. A Davis cut would also save Gang Green $10.5MM. Should Beckham’s health check out, however, a notable Jets offer will likely not be far behind.

Matthew Stafford Fully Cleared For Rams’ Offseason Program

April 8th, 2023 at 2:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Rams have made some significant changes this offseason, a period that has seen a perennially all-in team scale down its operation and proceed conservatively. But the Rams still feature many Super Bowl LVI starters on their roster. Obviously, none will be more important to the team’s 2023 cause than Matthew Stafford.

Stafford’s 2022 proved concerning through a long-term lens. The 14-year veteran did not throw during the Rams’ offseason program due to a nagging elbow injury, and he landed in the team’s concussion protocol twice during an abbreviated season. A spinal cord contusion ended up shutting Stafford down early. Stafford squashed retirement rumors — on his wife’s podcast — late during a season in which the Rams also sent organizational pillars Aaron Donald and Cooper Kupp to IR. Donald and Kupp remain, but the team moved on from standouts Jalen Ramsey, Leonard Floyd and Bobby Wagner this offseason.

While injuries have started to pile up for Stafford, the former Lions centerpiece has managed to play through most of them over the course of his career. And the Rams’ 2021 trade that sent Jared Goff to Detroit did produce a Super Bowl title. Between the regular season and playoffs that year, Stafford threw for 6,074 yards and added 50 touchdown passes.

Sean McVay is now confident his starter will be ready to pick up where that season left off, following the injury-restricted 2022. While the team will likely proceed carefully with its starter, McVay said Stafford will have no limitations going into Los Angeles’ offseason program.

“I think he’d be better equipped to answer this, but I think it’s been a long time since he’s been healthy through an offseason, where he’s been able to throw,” McVay said, via Rams.com’s Stu Jackson. “I was just with him the other morning where he was in there early [at the facility] working, being able to do the things that are in alignment with preparing for the season.

“I think last year, there was such a unique combination and collaboration of things that prevented him from being able to play the way that he’s capable of, whether it was the things that he dealt with, some of the surrounding parts, missing a lot of time leading up into the season with some of the injuries and just different things that he was working through.”

Stafford missed eight games last season. He also missed eight during the 2019 campaign, with a back injury sidelining him. In the other seasons from 2011-21, however, the Super Bowl-winning QB did not miss a game. The Rams will bank on their veteran passer’s durability next season. They will have to, at this point, considering the contract they authorized last year.

As part of the four-year, $160MM deal the Rams gave Stafford — during an offseason in which L.A. also extended Kupp and gave Donald a record-setting raise — $57MM of the QB’s contract became guaranteed recently. Stafford’s $26MM option bonus and his $31MM 2024 base salary are now locked in. The Rams have their quarterback on a manageable $20MM cap number this season but may need to go to the restructure well for 2024, when the cap hit spikes to $49.5MM.

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