The Los Angeles Rams are at a crossroads. After coming close to reaching the Super Bowl in 2025, the idea of going all out again to overcome the obstacle will be appealing. At the same time, this is a franchise well built for the future, with recent draft success and a host of players on cost-controlled contracts.
The Rams must choose a path between:
Advertisement
Go all-in again
That could mean trading draft picks for veterans who are able to contribute immediately. Restructuring contracts and using zero years to max out the credit card and get the most out of the rest of Matthew Stafford’s career. This approach risks jeopardizing the existing core and Los Angeles may not have the salary cap space to retain all of its ascending players or could reduce its ability to add talent in the years to come.
Building for the future
LA has two first-round picks. They can find two new cornerstones and sign them to cost-controlled rookie contracts for five years. It’s an attractive idea that would add to the young core of Puka Nacua, Jared Verse, Kobie Turner, Steve Avila, Byron Young, Braden Fiske and others.
Advertisement
But the rookies may not be able to contribute to the extent necessary for the Rams to reach the Super Bowl in 2026. It’s a more methodical approach that might not help achieve short-term goals.
Which path will the Rams choose?
Could the Rams carve their own path up the middle instead of choosing between the routes laid out in front of them? Conceptually, it seems possible to both build through the draft and bring in enough veteran talent to put together a competitive roster in 2026.
But becoming greedy has consequences.
The margin between the Rams and Seahawks was razor thin this season. Will this be true in 2026? Will another team step forward and enter the conversation?
Advertisement
We often look forward to the next season with too much context from the past year. Each season starts again and the ball must be pushed back up the hill. It’s not called “all-in” for nothing. This means that if you throw your hat into the ring in 2026, you must pull every available lever to secure your place in the last dance.
And being too aggressive will also force the Rams to make tough choices. Nacua, Turner, Avila and Young are ready to discuss their next NFL contract. For every expensive veteran the team acquires, the calculus for retaining each becomes more nuanced.
While it seems like a good idea to play both ways, in reality the Rams are probably better served if they fully commit to one of the paths available to them.
