Nate Davis of USA Today’s list of six NFL teams that could be prone to a disappointing season notes that Matthew Stafford’s back issues remain a lingering storyline for the Rams.
At 37 years old, it’s fair to expect some creaks and pains to add up, especially considering Stafford’s history in Detroit, where he took more hits than almost any other quarterback of his era.
But here’s the part that often gets overlooked: if Stafford were still in Detroit, this back pain would be a deal-breaker.
The Lions were notorious during his tenure for failing to build a proper roster around him. From inconsistent offensive lines to a lack of sustained weapons outside of Calvin Johnson, Stafford had little chance to thrive in that environment.
It took the trade for Jared Goff in 2021 to finally swing the Lions into relevance, their first true stretch of success since the Barry Sanders era.
That timing makes Stafford’s accomplishments in Detroit all the more impressive, but also underscores how different his situation is now.
With the Rams, everything changes. Even if Los Angeles is concerned about Stafford’s back, they’re in a position to support him in ways Detroit never could.
The team just re-signed Kyren Williams, and with Blake Corum and Jarquez Hunter also in the fold, the Rams might have the scariest three-headed backfield in the NFL.
That allows Sean McVay to lean on the run game and give Stafford what could essentially be lazy days under center, picking his spots without needing to shoulder the entire offense.
And against the Texans, the plan may not come down to Stafford’s health at all. As team insider Stu Jackson put it, the matchup worth paying the closest attention to is in the trenches.
With Los Angeles boasting one of the NFC’s most complete offensive lines and a defensive front anchored by Kobie Turner and Jared Verse, this is exactly the kind of game where Stafford can play complementary football and still look like a Super Bowl quarterback.
So yes, Stafford’s back will remain part of the conversation. But unlike in Detroit, Los Angeles has the structure to absorb it and still make a legitimate run back to the Super Bowl.