The Los Angeles Rams had a very unusual offseason regarding QB Matthew Stafford. It got to the point where many began to wonder if he would even be ready for the season opener after dealing with a bad back. However, head coach Sean McVay remained calm, framing it as a matter of timing.
“And rushing him back, where he could potentially have an unnecessary setback, that just does not make sense. We (The Rams) are fortunate to have the luxury of a player like him, that you do not minimize the importance of practices, but this is the best thing for him and for our football team,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said.
Stafford did manage to return in time for the season opener. After three weeks, the veteran made NFL history.
“The Rams quarterback threw his 382nd career touchdown pass in Los Angeles' 33-26 loss to the Eagles on Sunday, moving into ninth on the all-time passing TDs list. Stafford entered his 225th regular-season game needing two TDs to surpass Matt Ryan (381). He pulled even with Ryan thanks to a first-quarter strike to Davante Adams, then moved past him by connecting with Kyren Williams for No. 382 on a 10-yard score two frames later,” NFL.com’s Christian Gonzales wrote.
Still, there’s no denying Stafford’s age is showing, and eventually, it will be time for him to hang it up. The Rams could look to Josh Hoover in the upcoming NFL Draft.
“The Rams have to start thinking about a quarterback of the future, and Hoover has an intriguing skillset to develop behind Matthew Stafford. He's fearless in the pocket with a willingness to attack with anticipation down the field,” CBS Sports’ Mike Renner wrote.
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Hoover is a solid college QB who has been consistent this season. While Stafford may not be as close to retirement as some think, his childhood friend Clayton Kershaw recently announced his own retirement, proving that time catches up with everyone. Only time will tell, but Hoover could be a great replacement in McVay’s system when the time comes.