Although both excelled at times, there is no replacing Stafford. The 16th-year pro
is the key player for a team that will enter the season with far greater
expectations than the 2023 version that finished with a better-than-anticipated 10-7 record and made the playoffs.
So managing Stafford’s workload, and keeping the 36-year-old injury free, remains paramount.
In 2022, after the Rams’ victory in Super Bowl LVI, Stafford did not throw passes during the offseason and was limited in
training camp because of right elbow tendinitis. Midway through a lost season, he sustained a concussion that forced
him to sit out a game and then a spinal injury that sidelined him the last seven games .
Last season, Stafford returned to an elite level. After sitting out one midseason game because of a thumb injury, he led
the Rams’ second-half surge to the postseason.
During the offseason, Stafford surprised the Rams by asking for a contract
adjustment. The Rams finally gave in last week and resolved the situation as
players were reporting for training camp
Stafford looked sharp throughout the first week of workouts, delivering passes from all angles to Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua and other Rams receivers. But after a day off Sunday, he was not in his jersey Monday.
McVay said the decision to sit Stafford was made because of the number of
throws he made and because Monday’s practice would be heavy on running plays.
Stafford will practice Tuesday, McVay said.
“We have a much better grasp of … just where he’s at in this part in his career,” McVay said. “You don’t ever want to have any of those elbow issues creep up again.”
