Ten significant revelations regarding the Rams this season

The Los Angeles Rams, once the champions of Super Bowl LVI, have experienced a mix of highs and lows throughout the 2023 NFL season. After a championship run in 2022, expectations were sky-high for the Rams as they entered 2023 with hopes of maintaining their dominance. However, injuries, roster changes, and inconsistent play have resulted in a season full of twists and turns. As we reflect on the Rams’ 2023 campaign, there are several revelations that have defined their year and shaped their trajectory for the future.

1. Aaron Donald Remains the Heartbeat of the Defense

Even though the Rams’ defense has shown signs of decline since their Super Bowl win, Aaron Donald has continued to be the linchpin of the defensive front. The 32-year-old defensive tackle remains one of the most dominant forces in the NFL. Despite facing consistent double teams and even triple teams, Donald has been able to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks and stop the run with his unique combination of strength, speed, and football IQ.

However, the lack of a complementary pass rusher opposite him has meant that Donald often faces more attention than he should, impacting his ability to disrupt offenses at the same level he did in the past. Still, his leadership and the gravity he commands on the field ensure that the Rams’ defense revolves around him.

2. Matthew Stafford’s Health Remains a Concern

Matthew Stafford, the 2021 Super Bowl-winning quarterback, entered the 2023 season as the key to the Rams’ offensive success. However, Stafford’s health has been a constant question mark. The quarterback has battled various injuries, including neck issues and a shoulder problem, which have affected his mobility and throwing accuracy at times. Stafford’s health has been pivotal to the Rams’ offense remaining competitive—when he’s healthy, he can still sling the ball with the best of them, but when banged up, the offense struggles to find a rhythm.

This has put additional pressure on head coach Sean McVay, who has had to adjust his playcalling based on Stafford’s availability and health. With Stafford in his mid-30s, there are growing concerns about his long-term durability and whether the Rams need to start preparing for life after Stafford sooner rather than later.

3. The Departure of Jalen Ramsey Has Left a Void in the Secondary

In the offseason, the Rams made the difficult decision to trade away star cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins. Ramsey had been a cornerstone of the Rams’ defense, often tasked with shadowing the league’s best wide receivers. His departure left a gaping hole in the Rams’ secondary, which they have yet to fully fill.

While players like Darious Williams and Troy Hill have stepped up at cornerback, they haven’t been able to replicate Ramsey’s level of play. The Rams’ defense has struggled at times to cover high-end passing attacks, and opposing quarterbacks have found success in exploiting the secondary. The loss of Ramsey has highlighted the importance of having a lockdown corner to set the tone for the rest of the defensive backs.

4. Bobby Wagner Continues to Be a Pillar of the Defense

Despite being one of the oldest players on the Rams’ roster, Bobby Wagner has continued to be a key leader and performer on the defensive side of the ball. The 33-year-old linebacker, who returned to the Rams in 2023 after a one-year stint with the Seattle Seahawks, has shown that he still has plenty left in the tank. Wagner has been solid against both the run and pass, and his leadership in the linebacker room has been invaluable to the Rams’ defense.

His ability to read plays and his experience in big games have been vital to the Rams’ defensive identity. However, as Wagner ages, the Rams will need to begin thinking about their long-term plans at linebacker, and whether Wagner’s production can be sustained as he enters the twilight years of his career.

5. The Offensive Line Is a Major Weakness

One of the most glaring weaknesses of the Rams’ 2023 season has been their offensive line. Despite some investments in the line in previous years, the group has struggled with consistency and protection. Stafford has been under constant pressure, and the running game has struggled to get going, partly due to the line’s inability to open up running lanes.

The Rams’ offensive line issues have led to Stafford getting hit more often than he should, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, the lack of a consistent running game has put even more pressure on Stafford to carry the offense, further compounding the challenges the team faces. As the Rams look ahead to the 2024 season, improving the offensive line should be one of their top priorities to protect Stafford and establish a more balanced attack.

6. Kyren Williams Shows Promise as the Future Running Back

With the Rams’ offensive struggles in mind, one of the bright spots of their season has been the emergence of Kyren Williams. After being drafted in 2023, Williams showed flashes of potential as both a runner and a receiving threat out of the backfield. He possesses good vision, patience, and the ability to break tackles. His pass-catching ability has also made him a versatile weapon in the Rams’ offense.

While the Rams’ running game overall has been inconsistent due to the issues on the offensive line, Williams’ development offers hope that the team could have a legitimate feature back for the future. He could be an essential piece of the Rams’ offense moving forward, especially if the team can address their offensive line woes.

7. Coaching Adjustments by Sean McVay Have Been Noteworthy

Sean McVay has faced a challenging season with a roster that has been in flux due to injuries and departures. Despite these obstacles, McVay has shown his adaptability, adjusting his playcalling to suit the available personnel. While his offensive schemes have sometimes been inconsistent, he has made notable adjustments to protect Stafford when needed, particularly by relying on quick passes and screen games to offset pressure on the quarterback.

McVay’s playcalling and game management will continue to be scrutinized, especially as the Rams look to rebuild their roster. However, his ability to make adjustments on the fly and tailor his system to his players’ strengths has been one of the few constants in what has been a tumultuous season for the Rams.

8. The Defensive Line Needs More Help Beyond Aaron Donald

While Aaron Donald remains one of the most disruptive players in the NFL, he cannot do it all on his own. The Rams’ defensive line has been largely ineffective at generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks outside of Donald. As teams focus their efforts on neutralizing Donald, it has become more apparent that the Rams need another elite pass rusher to complement him.

The team has experimented with various options, but so far, no one has been able to consistently step up. The inability to generate a consistent pass rush outside of Donald has hurt the defense and allowed opposing quarterbacks to take advantage of weaker matchups. In 2024, the Rams will need to invest in finding another game-changing pass rusher to create a more balanced and fearsome defensive line.

9. The Rams Have Struggled to Stay Healthy

Injuries have played a significant role in the Rams’ struggles in 2023. Throughout the season, key players have missed time, including Stafford, Donald, and several defensive backs. These injuries have forced the Rams to rely on backups and unproven players, and the results have often been underwhelming.

In a league as competitive as the NFL, staying healthy is paramount, and the Rams have been on the wrong side of this equation for much of the season. With several veterans on the roster, the team must focus on keeping players healthy and finding ways to mitigate the impact of injuries moving forward. If the Rams can stay healthier in 2024, they could be in a better position to compete for a playoff spot.

10. The Rams’ Salary Cap Situation Remains Complex

As the Rams look toward 2024, their salary cap situation remains a point of concern. The team’s decision to go “all-in” on the Super Bowl in 2022—trading future assets and taking on significant contracts for star players—has created a complex financial situation moving forward. While the Rams have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, the team’s cap space has been tight, limiting their ability to make moves in free agency or retain key players.

This financial challenge will require the Rams to make tough decisions regarding contracts, extensions, and potential trades. The team may need to move on from high-priced veterans or restructure contracts in order to create the flexibility needed to improve the roster. The way the Rams manage their salary cap moving forward will have a major impact on their ability to contend in future seasons.