Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › Looking back at 2025
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February 2, 2026 at 8:27 pm #161948
znModerator5 interesting stats from the Rams’ 2025 offense: The most productive offense in the league, most successful designed rushing attack in a decade
Wyatt Miller
The 2025 Rams offense was a diverse and efficient powerhouse.
The No. 1 offense in terms of scoring and yardage was fueled by the most successful rushing attack in the last decade and the league leader in passing yards and touchdowns, quarterback Matthew Stafford. The Rams put defenses in constant conflict with their marriage between run and pass concepts, opening up opportunities to succeed in both, and they did that at a level no other team was able to match.
Here are five interesting stats from the Rams’ 2025 offense.
The Rams led the league in both expected points added (EPA) per play (+0.12) and success rate (49.6%) in the regular season, according to Next Gen Stats
These are the two metrics widely viewed as the most indicative of true offensive productivity, and the Rams led the league in both. This means every time the Rams ran a play, their expected point total increased by an average of 0.12 compared to what other teams would achieve in similar contexts based on historical data. And nearly half of their offensive plays netted positive EPA, increasing their chances to score on that drive.
The Rams’ success rate on designed runs to running backs (49.7%) was the highest for any team in the Next Gen Stats era including playoffs
The second-best team in terms of success rate on running back carries was also a Sean McVay-led Rams team in 2018. The scheme has changed a lot since then, which ESPN’s Ben Solak chronicled a few weeks ago, and the backfield split with Kyren Williams and Blake Corum took the run game to new heights in 2025.
Corum and Williams ranked second and fourth, respectively, in success rate among backs with at least 100 carries (49.7% for Corum and 48.5% for Williams).
Stafford led the league in play-action passes, completions, yards and touchdowns in the regular season, according to Next Gen Stats
The Rams’ success on the ground set up the most effective play-action passing game in the league, and one of the best of the last decade. Stafford threw 214 play-action passes (most in the Next Gen Stats era) and completed 144 (third-most) for 1,786 yards (third-most) and 20 touchdowns (tied-most).
McVay marries concepts on play-action passes to the ones in the run game so that they look the same and force the defense to hesitate or misread plays. Stafford’s ability to sell the run fakes and then get his head around to dissect the defense quickly allows them to consistently pick them apart.
Puka Nacua set a Pro Football Focus record for contested catches in a regular season (27)
Nacua has been described as a “pit bull” and a “dawg” among other things, and this stat partially encapsulates why: If there’s a ball in his area, Nacua will fight anyone in his path to come down with it, and he usually does.
Since PFF started tracking contested catches in 2016, nobody has had more in a regular season than Nacua. In fact, no one has even matched Nacua’s number in a full season, including playoffs. He was extremely efficient in that context, hauling in 71.1% of his contested targets, which ranked first among all players with at least 12 such receptions.
“If it’s not me coming down with the ball, nobody can come down with it,” Nacua said after the wild-card round. That has been Nacua’s approach throughout his football career, but it really came to life in 2025.
The Rams’ 30.5% 13 personnel rate was more than double the next-closest team this season and the most in the Next Gen Stats era by nearly 13%
Since 2016, no other team has used 13 personnel more than 17.6% of the time (2021 Browns). The team with the second-highest 13 personnel rate this season was Pittsburgh, who put three tight ends and one running back on the field just 13.2% of the time. This was a truly unique identity that the Rams adopted this year, and it was effective.
Los Angeles averaged 6.2 yards per play (4.8 yards per carry and 8.4 yards per dropback) and scored 32 touchdowns out of that grouping, also the most in the Next Gen Stats era with the next closest being 12 by the 2020 Titans.
February 3, 2026 at 8:20 am #161950
wvParticipant“Most successful designed rushing attack in a decade” ?
Well, the eyeball test told me it was solid and dependable, but the Eagles running attack last year was in a different league.
w
vFebruary 3, 2026 at 9:08 am #161951znModeratorWell, the eyeball test told me it was solid and dependable, but the Eagles running attack last year was in a different league.
w
vI am new at this stat and just now looked up everything I post here.
Eagles had more big plays.
Success rate is a different metric. In success rate, “solid and dependable” is precisely what you’re measuring.
I post a couple of things on success rate below. But before that I’m going to compare the Rams 2025 offense to the Eagles 2024 offense.
Rams 2025 were 1st in yards, 1st in points, 1st in first downs, 4th in success rate per play, 2nd in yards per drive, and 1st in points per drive…and while 16th in rushing attempts were 6th in YPC.
Eagles 2024 were 8th in yards, 7th in points, 6th in first downs, 8th in success rate per play, 11th in yards per drive, and 8th in points per drive…and while 1st in rushing attempts were 5th in YPC.Do those numbers say that the Rams had the better passing attack? Yes. But the numbers also say that while they did not run as often as the 2024 Eagles, they had pretty much the same yards per rushing attempt.
The 2024 Eagles got more yards total rushing, but the Rams while running less got enough yards per carry to sustain more drives and get more yards per drive. How? Well that would probably be RB success rate.
So to me what RB success rate doesn’t measure is this–probably, the 2025 Rams were so good in the passing game that they faced defenses that were thinking pass first, which allowed them to use the run to stay on the field (when they did in fact use the run). The backs were doing consistently well because of Stafford, though on the other hand their running game (when they used it) helped them stay on the field and be first in points per drive.
With the 2024 Eagles it was the opposite. The pass worked because of the run.
Anyway I looked up success rate.
This is from AI:
AI Overview
Success rate in the NFL running game measures the percentage of carries that keep an offense “on schedule” based on down and distance, rather than just total yardage. A run is generally considered successful if it gains at least 40% of required yards on 1st down, 60% on 2nd down, and 100% on 3rd/4th down.Key Aspects of Running Game Success Rate:
Consistency over Big Plays: Unlike yards-per-carry (YPC), which can be skewed by one long run, success rate rewards consistent, efficient running. A 10-yard run on 3rd-and-15 is deemed unsuccessful, while a 3-yard run on 3rd-and-2 is successful.
Definition of a “Success”:
1st Down: Gain 40%–50% of necessary yards.
2nd Down: Gain 60%–70% of necessary yards.
3rd/4th Down: Gain 100% (convert or score).Contextual Metric: It helps analyze how frequently a running back or team avoids wasted downs, keeping the offense in manageable situations.
Alternative Definition (Next Gen Stats): Sometimes, success rate refers to “Rush Yards Over Expected” (RYOE%), measuring how often a runner gains more yards than a league-average player would on that specific play.
This metric is favored for determining the reliability of a running game and its ability to keep drives moving, often highlighting consistent backs over those who only provide occasional big plays.
***
This is from a human: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2015/11/23/9783200/by-the-numbers-rushing-efficiency
Success Rate [is] the percentage of plays where a running back makes the minimum gain necessary for “success.” It’s explained in detail by Football Outsiders here, but here’s the basics of what’s considered a success:
In general, a play counts as a “hit” if it gains 40% of yards on first down, 60% of yards on second down, and 100% of yards on third down.
If the team is behind by more than a touchdown in the fourth quarter, the benchmarks switch to 50%/65%/100%.
If the team is ahead by any amount in the fourth quarter, the benchmarks switch to 30%/50%/100%.What you may notice is that there’s no “extra credit” for breaking a big run. This is simply a measure of consistency. A back who always picks up exactly two yards on third and one will have a perfect success rate. Meanwhile, a back who breaks half of his third down attempts for long touchdowns and gets stuffed on the other half will have a 50% success rate. But is that first scenario really preferable to the second? I don’t think so.
February 4, 2026 at 12:19 pm #161979znModeratorfrom Nate Atkins, mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7017027/2026/02/04/rams-mailbag-matthew-stafford-joe-burrow/?source=emp_shared_article
What caused the defense to drop off late in the season? It went from a top-five unit to one that consistently allowed more than 20 points. It was blamed on Quentin Lake’s injury, but it didn’t rebound after he returned. Was it just not that good, and then was exposed by better competition later in the season? Can a better secondary fix it, or is there more to it?
Nate Atkins: The defensive regression started right after the Rams thumped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 12. I remember thinking at the time that the games to come would be a big test of how much they missed Lake and how much was natural regression for the lowest-paid defense in the league.
In the end, the answer was both.
Lake earned a massive extension upon his return because he’s a critical piece to a Chris Shula scheme that is built on the secondary, while the resources he has to work with are in the front four. Lake rotates from nickel cornerback to strong safety to free safety to disguise the coverages behind those creative fronts, and he communicates the late changes in run fits and coverages to younger players on the back end.
It just isn’t the same creative force without him. So, while his return didn’t fix everything, I believe it did contribute to Cobie Durant’s three interceptions in three playoff games, as well as a much-improved run defense that allowed 3.7 yards per carry in those games.
But although the sum of Lake’s impact is large, he isn’t a singular playmaker himself just yet. He has one career interception. And so the Rams needed more of that star power to come from the front four, and it just didn’t happen enough in the playoffs.
Part of that was Byron Young hurting his knee against the Bears. Part of it is that he and Jared Verse need to become better sack finishers with the pressures they create. And part of it was the regression of an outside cornerback group that never had a No. 1 option to funnel matchups through, leaving it to rotate three players at one spot against the Seahawks.
It’s possible that a healthy Ahkello Witherspoon could have made the picture come together this past season. All teams have injuries, but key setbacks hurt more to a defense that doesn’t have many financial resources. But I do feel the defense is a top-notch cornerback away from being the unit that throttled the Seahawks and Buccaneers in back-to-back games. Finding that guy is harder to do, but with two first-round picks and ample cap space, that needs to be the focus of the offseason.
February 6, 2026 at 10:44 am #162022wvParticipantSome discussion of what an OC does under McVay
February 17, 2026 at 12:26 am #162201znModerator@speed_kills@speedk1lls
One of the biggest developments for the Rams this past year was the emergence of the tight ends as a true strength of the offense. For years, Sean McVay talked about evolving the system — mixing up personnel groupings and leaning more into 12 personnel. This season, he finally fully committed to it, and not only did it show up in 12, but the Rams had tremendous success out of 13 personnel (three tight ends).The tight end room became a major factor in both phases — a legitimate part of the passing attack and a physical advantage in the run game against smaller defensive fronts. Including Seattle. The Rams dictated terms with size.
See video for highlights of the TEs:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA9G_HNr_tM
Colby Parkinson – 43 receptions, 408 yards
The biggest but least dynamic of the group turned into one of Matthew Stafford’s most trusted targets. Early on, it felt like the Rams simply said, “If you’re not going to cover him, we’re going to keep throwing it to him.” But then something unexpected happened: he started making tough, contested catches. Clutch grabs. Even the one-handed highlight plays. His emergence was a major surprise and a huge boost to the offense. He looked like the player the Rams believed they were signing from Seattle in 2024.Tyler Higbee – 25 receptions, 281 yards
Old reliable. It was great to see him return from injury and step right back into the rotation. Higbee’s chemistry with Stafford and his understanding of the offense remain valuable assets. If the price is right, bringing him back would make sense (I know not likely) his veteran presence and leadership still matter in that locker room.Terrance Ferguson – 11 receptions, 231 yards
We saw flashes. His vertical ability gives the offense a different dimension, and he made splash plays late in the year. Yes, there were some drops, and he clearly needed this season to develop above the shoulders. He also needs more time in the weight room. But the upside is undeniable.Davis Allen – 24 receptions, 208 yards
Allen has reshaped his body since his rookie season in 2023 and it shows. He’s tough, competitive, and a better athlete than people realize. He brings real physicality in the run game and continues to grow as a reliable option underneath.Combined production:
103 receptions
1,128 yards
17 touchdownsThat’s not complementary production — that’s impact production.
For a team that has often been defined by its wide receivers, the tight end room became one of the most important and productive position groups on the roster and I just didn’t see that coming.
February 17, 2026 at 2:24 pm #162202
ZooeyModeratorI did not see this in the aftermath of the NFC Championship because I didn’t re-embrace the media for about a week after that game. I missed this article, and I don’t know if it’s somewhere on the board – I didn’t see it, but I may have glossed over it. I post it now because it shows that while the Rams are excellent at building an inclusive culture within the building, they are very bad at parting ways with players.
After the Rams discarded a Super Bowl MVP, he showed them everything he still offers
By Michael Silver
Jan. 26, 2026
Updated Feb. 6, 2026SEATTLE — To the untrained eye, he was practically invisible.
Halfway through Sunday’s NFC Championship Game between the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams, Cooper Kupp — a 32-year-old wide receiver deeply invested in the outcome — was conspicuously missing from the box score, having failed to catch either of the targets that came his way.
It felt as if Kupp, a Super Bowl MVP for the Rams four years ago now playing for a bitter division rival, was affirming the organizational skepticism that led L.A. to release him last March, a cold ending to a mythical eight-year run.
It’s a charged subject that chafes him and has been known to rile up others. A month earlier, the Rams’ perceived disrespecting of Kupp provoked a near elevator brawl between members of the two teams’ coaching staffs in the same stadium. (Don’t worry, we’ll get to that later.)
After the 2024 season, rather than trying to negotiate a salary reduction with the former All-Pro, the Rams had unceremoniously cut ties, urging him to retire. As Kupp approached free agency, sources say, he came to believe that some L.A. officials had cautioned potential suitors against paying him anything more than the veteran minimum, suggesting that age and an accumulation of injuries had provoked a steep decline.
“When it ended with the Rams,” Kupp told me earlier this month, “we weren’t in a good place.”
In retrospect, his former bosses should have known better.
They certainly know better now.
With 68,773 fans roaring relentlessly and an appreciative Seahawks sideline urging him on, Kupp came alive when it mattered most, making three of the most pivotal plays in a 31-27 Seattle victory. The Seahawks scored their final points on Kupp’s 13-yard touchdown reception, got a massive first down in the final minutes on his dramatic, corkscrew-style catch-and-lunge, and essentially closed out the game when he drew a downfield defensive holding penalty on former teammate Cobie Durant.
Kupp also did many of the little things that casual observers don’t notice, but that his coaches and teammates cherish. The bottom line is that without Kupp, Seattle likely would not be heading for a Super Bowl LX showdown with the New England Patriots on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, Calif.
Thanks partly to his clutch contributions — seen and unseen — the Seahawks aren’t done.
Affirmatively, neither is Kupp.
“They were done with him,” said Seattle’s second-team All-Pro middle linebacker Ernest Jones IV, another former Rams player who felt discarded by the franchise after being traded to the Tennessee Titans before the 2024 season. “(They said), ‘He’s not worth it.’ They said that about a lot of us.”
Said Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the Seahawks’ first-team All-Pro wide receiver: “I know he wanted to beat those guys. He won’t show it, but I’m super excited we got this one for him. He was due for a big moment — clutch moments — and we all knew that when he gets his opportunity, he’s going to maximize it.”
There is a lot to unpack, beginning with the fact that Kupp was not available for interviews after the game, having apparently left the stadium with his family before the locker room was opened to the media. Yet I’ve spoken with him recently about the final months of his Rams tenure and have had conversations with numerous league sources familiar with the situation.
Things degenerated in L.A. when it became clear that Kupp, once a featured receiver, had been surpassed by Puka Nacua, a fifth-round selection in 2023 who became an instant star. As Rams coach Sean McVay evolved his offense, Kupp felt like an afterthought who experienced a sharp reduction of plays schemed to try to get him the ball.
The Rams shopped Kupp in October of 2024 but insisted they were merely fielding calls from other teams — a claim the receiver, according to two league sources, believed was disingenuous. They decided not to trade him after Kupp returned from a high-ankle sprain to help the Rams rebound from a 1-4 start and get back into playoff contention. However, the relationship remained frayed.
“This year has been very trying,” he told me late in the 2024 season.
After the Rams cut Kupp last March, he was stunned that the most powerful people in the Rams’ organization never called to thank him for his time with the franchise. (He later debriefed with McVay and maintains a good relationship with his former head coach — and with many former teammates, including quarterback Matthew Stafford, who searched for Kupp on the field Sunday night to offer his congratulations.)
Once Kupp hit free agency, according to sources familiar with his search for a new team, some potential suitors expressed doubts about signing him because of what they’d heard in league circles — which his camp believed came from the Rams.
The Seahawks ultimately tuned out the noise and signed Kupp to a three-year, $45 million deal early in free agency. He made an instant impression, especially with Smith-Njigba, a 23-year-old on the verge of superstardom.
“The first day he came (in OTAs), he preached about ‘the process’ — process over results,” Smith-Njigba told me Sunday after summoning a monster performance (10 catches, 153 yards, one touchdown). “And that, honestly, changed my life as a person and as a player. We’re not worried about 200 yards; we’re just worried about play-by-play, and doing our job. I can’t thank him enough.”
Many Seahawks are similarly grateful to Kupp, a sentiment which added spice to an already charged rivalry between NFC West foes.
The Rams won the first meeting between the two teams in mid-November, and until a furious fourth-quarter comeback, their Thursday night rematch in Seattle a month later seemed to be following a similar trajectory. One of the apparent catalysts for Seattle’s late charge occurred at halftime.
Late in the first half of that game, Kupp’s red-zone fumble had killed a potential Seattle scoring drive. According to several witnesses, the fallout from that play sparked a confrontation between Rams and Seahawks coaches as they spilled out of their upstairs boxes at half’s end and took a shared elevator ride to field level.
The witnesses said several Rams assistants were discussing the fumble in question as they neared the elevator. One offensive coach asked which Seattle player had been responsible, and when another replied that it was Kupp, the coach snickered as though he expected the answer.
That drew the ire of Seahawks outside linebackers coach Chris Partridge, whose enraged response caused Rams defensive pass rush coordinator Drew Wilkins to yell back at him. Partridge, witnesses said, had to be held back by other Seahawks coaches in the packed elevator, averting a possible skirmish.
After the Seahawks coaches entered the locker room, word of the incident got back to some players, many of whom became motivated to defend Kupp’s honor.
“It was kind of a thing in our locker room during halftime,” one Seahawks player recalled.
The Seahawks, after falling behind by 16 in the fourth quarter, made a dramatic rally to force overtime, then won 38-37 on quarterback Sam Darnold’s two-point conversion pass to tight end Eric Saubert. As both teams’ coaches exited their boxes after the game, there was another round of back-and-forth trash talking.
Sunday’s rubber match between the top-seeded Seahawks and fifth-seeded Rams was similarly competitive, although the elevator rides to and from the coaches’ boxes commenced without incident.
When their season was on the line, the Seahawks were happy to ride with Kupp, whose second half validated their decision to sign him. After his quiet first half, which ended with Seattle leading 17-13, Kupp made his presence felt.
With the Seahawks up 24-20 and facing a third-and-9 from their 36-yard-line, Kupp reached to make a difficult catch of a low pass from Sam Darnold (25-of-36, 346 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions), who further obliterated the QB’s stigma for faceplanting in big games. Three plays later, Darnold threw a screen pass to Smith-Njigba; Kupp’s stellar block on cornerback Roger McCreary helped spring his teammate for a 12-yard gain.
“He’s the best blocking receiver I’ve ever seen,” marveled Seahawks wideout Rashid Shaheed, a trade deadline acquisition who gave Seattle a massive midseason spark. “It’s what he’s done his whole career. He makes us all better.”
Said left tackle Charles Cross: “You don’t see a lot of receivers excited to be part of the run game. He’s truly unbelievable.”
“He takes so much pride in the run game,” Saubert added. “You can see it on the tape. He’s so smart about the game, and he helps all of us. To have a guy like that is uncommon. I can’t say enough about him as a man and a teammate. Whenever his number is called, he balls out.”
Three plays after his blocking clinic on McCreary, Kupp found the end zone. On third-and-3 from the 13, the receiver cut inside of safety Quentin Lake, caught Darnold’s pass at the 5 and bulled past safety Kam Kinchens for the TD.
The Rams scored on their next drive to cut Seattle’s lead to four, and they were six yards away from taking a late lead. The Seahawks, however, made a fourth-and-4 stop and took over with 4:54 remaining.
Thanks partly to Kupp, they’d kill all but 25 seconds, leaving the Rams without any timeouts and 93 yards from the end zone — effectively extinguishing their season. The receiver’s spinning, third-and-7 catch while being tightly covered by Durant moved the chains with 3:11 to go; Kupp, after lunging for the first down, lost the ball on impact, but officials ruled the play dead.
Four plays later, on second-and-7 from the L.A. 48, Darnold rolled to his left and missed Smith-Njigba on a short throw. Kupp, his first option, was running a deeper route on the left side — and being trailed by Durant, who drew a holding call after grabbing the receiver’s jersey.
The Rams’ season slipped away in the process.
Soon after, Kupp joined his teammates in celebrating on the field, but he bolted not long after the trophy ceremony.
There would be no interviews, but he had made an emphatic statement through his actions. Certainly, he’d delivered a rebuke that stung his former bosses; however, he’d also modeled something uplifting for the Seahawks teammates who consider him an indispensable tone-setter.
When the Rams released Kupp last March, Jones — who’d come to Seattle via a 2024 midseason trade — immediately began recruiting him, recalling, “I texted him and let him know — ‘I understand the situation; I’ve been there. This team that we’ve got here, it’s special. If you come and join us, I believe we’ve got a chance to (go) to the Super Bowl. Not only do we want you, but we want you because you’ll be a beneficial part and help us win this championship.’ He trusted it. So, for him to be here, it’s everything.”
Long after the game, as he prepared to leave the stadium, Darnold tried to do justice to Kupp’s impact — and acknowledged that the receiver’s quiet first half ultimately showcased his best qualities.
“There are no words that can really explain it,” Darnold said softly. “He’s a leader on the field; he’s a leader off the field. He can get zero targets and block (Rams Pro Bowl edge rusher) Jared Verse every single play and never complain once.
“It’s a lesson for kids — not only kids, but players as well. It’s not always going to go your way, but if you just continue to push and do your job, the ball will find you.”
And when that happens, if you are Cooper Kupp, you’ll no longer be invisible — to the casual fan, or to the skeptics who no longer wanted you.
February 17, 2026 at 4:25 pm #162203
joemadParticipantKupp had a good 2nd half in the NFC championship game in Seattle.
But, Kupp lost a step in 2024 (and 2023) that D. Adams was able to provide the RAMS this season….
eg, the Rams lost 2 of their last 3 games vs the Lions because Kupp was missing a step
2023 season (Jan 2024) In the Rams playoff game loss to the Lions, Kupp’s longest catch was 7 yards… 27 total yards in a game that Stafford threw for 367 yards..
In 2024 the Rams opened the season in Detroit in a game that should not have gone into OT. Late in the game, the Rams were looking to kill the clock to seal victory, Kupp couldn’t execute on 3rd and 10 to kill the clock into victory formation. ….. Rams ended up punting, Lions tied the game sending the game into OT and costing the RAMS a week 1 victory and ultimately HFA… resulting in an Eagles playoff loss in the snow; Kupp = 1 catch for 29 yards in that playoff game in Philly
I remember these games when the Rams cut Kupp…i could remember McVay’s reaction on those key plays.
The Rams finally destroyed and peaked against the Lions this season because they replaced Kupp. Stafford was MVP because Kupp is gone.
Seattle didn’t win the SB because of Kupp’s 47 catches for 590 yards last year…, they won because JSN caught 119 passes for 1800 yards last season and Seattle’s defense was ranked #2 in the NFC……AND that bullshit 2-point conversion on a play that was blown dead.
More importantly, the Rams lost HFA last year, not because Kupp was cut loose for Seattle, but because of gut punching special team gaffes throughout the season.
February 17, 2026 at 5:31 pm #162204ZooeyModeratorKupp had a good 2nd half in the NFC championship game in Seattle.
But, Kupp lost a step in 2024 (and 2023) that D. Adams was able to provide the RAMS this season….
eg, the Rams lost 2 of their last 3 games vs the Lions because Kupp was missing a step
2023 season (Jan 2024) In the Rams playoff game loss to the Lions, Kupp’s longest catch was 7 yards… 27 total yards in a game that Stafford threw for 367 yards..
In 2024 the Rams opened the season in Detroit in a game that should not have gone into OT. Late in the game, the Rams were looking to kill the clock to seal victory, Kupp couldn’t execute on 3rd and 10 to kill the clock into victory formation. ….. Rams ended up punting, Lions tied the game sending the game into OT and costing the RAMS a week 1 victory and ultimately HFA… resulting in an Eagles playoff loss in the snow; Kupp = 1 catch for 29 yards in that playoff game in Philly
I remember these games when the Rams cut Kupp…i could remember McVay’s reaction on those key plays.
The Rams finally destroyed and peaked against the Lions this season because they replaced Kupp. Stafford was MVP because Kupp is gone.
Seattle didn’t win the SB because of Kupp’s 47 catches for 590 yards last year…, they won because JSN caught 119 passes for 1800 yards last season and Seattle’s defense was ranked #2 in the NFC……AND that bullshit 2-point conversion on a play that was blown dead.
More importantly, the Rams lost HFA last year, not because Kupp was cut loose for Seattle, but because of gut punching special team gaffes throughout the season.
I agree with every word of that.
I also think that the Rams could be more gracious when they part ways with people, especially players like Kupp who gave everything he had to the Rams (and won them a trophy). The classy thing to do is to recognize their contributions. I totally understand parting with Kupp, as painful as that may be, but unless a player was Antonio Brown-ing their way out of town, you can at least give them the respect they deserve.
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This reply was modified 2 weeks, 3 days ago by
Zooey.
February 17, 2026 at 8:07 pm #162209
InvaderRamModeratorThe classy thing to do is to recognize their contributions.
i’m not saying you’re wrong. but how exactly did the rams and kupp part ways? i’m honestly trying to remember how it all came about. and what could have been done to soften the blow.
and it wasn’t just kupp. it was jones, gurley, and goff too. they all came out of it pretty bitter. rams are pretty ruthless when it comes to getting rid of players who no longer fit their plans. the only one i can think of where it did end amicably was with ramsey, but it was pretty much a mutual parting of ways.
February 17, 2026 at 8:46 pm #162210wvParticipantSome amount of resentment/hurt-feelings is unavoidable in some of these football divorces, and i do find it interesting that Kupp doesnt seem to have any animosity toward McVay. I mean, if its not McVay he’s mad at, who then?
At any rate, my wild-speculation is that Kupp is right, and the Rams owed him better communication and a better ‘send-off’. A recognition of what he did for them. No Kupp, no Super Bowl Ring. Triple-Crown. All-time year.
w
vFebruary 17, 2026 at 9:03 pm #162211znModeratorand it wasn’t just kupp. it was jones, gurley, and goff too.
Add Woods, Talib, Peters, Ramsey too in a way, Orlovsky, Akers.
Each of those had in it a little touch of the “uncermonial.”
…
February 17, 2026 at 9:25 pm #162212ZooeyModerator“After the Rams cut Kupp last March, he was stunned that the most powerful people in the Rams’ organization never called to thank him for his time with the franchise. (He later debriefed with McVay and maintains a good relationship with his former head coach…).”
Sounds like he heard from McVay…later. A while after the fact.
Never heard from…
Snead?
Kroenke?
Other coaches?I dunno.
But if I’m the owner – Kroenke – I call Kupp, or meet with him, and tell him how much I appreciate him. I do that because the whole thing starts with me. I decide as a business model what kind of culture I want in my organization, and I hire people who can make that vision happen, and I do not distance myself from that when things get unattractive. And when the difficult decisions come at the end of the road, I face it, explain it, and express my gratitude and sorrow. But… that’s me.
If I’m Snead, I call him, or meet with him for more-or-less the same reasons. I am working to build a certain kind of culture in collaboration with the owner and the head coach, and being all “Family” inside the locker room while occasionally inserting a knife between the shoulder blades of my most dedicate disciples…well…nope. I would clean that up.
You can’t have “All Family” on one hand, and “It’s business” on the other. Eventually, your players and coaches won’t buy the “All Family” thing because they’ve seen too many bodies discarded by the side of the road.
I just don’t like it. They fucked over Goff and Kupp. And Jones feels like he was fucked over (and I never saw enough information about that to understand any of it, so I dunno). And the others zn mentioned.
I just don’t like it. I don’t like it as a business model, and I don’t like it as a fan.
February 17, 2026 at 9:35 pm #162214ZooeyModerator“After the Rams cut Kupp last March, he was stunned that the most powerful people in the Rams’ organization never called to thank him for his time with the franchise. (He later debriefed with McVay and maintains a good relationship with his former head coach…).”
Sounds like he heard from McVay…later. A while after the fact.
Never heard from…
Snead?
Kroenke?
Other coaches?I dunno.
But if I’m the owner – Kroenke – I call Kupp, or meet with him, and tell him how much I appreciate him. I do that because the whole thing starts with me. I decide as a business model what kind of culture I want in my organization, and I hire people who can make that vision happen, and I do not distance myself from that when things get unattractive. And when the difficult decisions come at the end of the road, I face it, explain it, and express my gratitude and sorrow. But… that’s me.
If I’m Snead, I call him, or meet with him for more-or-less the same reasons. I am working to build a certain kind of culture in collaboration with the owner and the head coach, and being all “Family” inside the locker room while occasionally inserting a knife between the shoulder blades of my most dedicate disciples…well…nope. I would clean that up.
You can’t have “All Family” on one hand, and “It’s business” on the other. Eventually, your players and coaches won’t buy the “All Family” thing because they’ve seen too many bodies discarded by the side of the road.
I just don’t like it. They fucked over Goff and Kupp. And Jones feels like he was fucked over (and I never saw enough information about that to understand any of it, so I dunno). And the others zn mentioned.
I just don’t like it. I don’t like it as a business model, and I don’t like it as a fan.
And if I’m the coach, I’m the one who tells him. To his face. I’m the one he hears it from.
February 17, 2026 at 10:57 pm #162216znModerator5 interesting stats from the Rams’ 2025 defense: Kobie Turner elevates pass rush, early success against the run leads to advantageous third-down scenarios
Wyatt Miller
The Rams’ disruptive front fueled their defensive success in both the run and pass game. Defensive end Kobie Turner was the lynchpin of the pass rush, while offseason additions turned what was an ineffective run defense last year into one of the league’s best.
Here are five interesting stats from the Rams’ 2025 defense.
With Kobie Turner on the field this season, the Rams generated a 43.2% pressure rate, which would have ranked first in the NFL, per Next Gen Stats
With Turner off the field, the Rams’ pressure rate dropped to 27.2%, which would have ranked third-lowest. The 15.9% on-off differential ranked second-largest among interior defensive linemen with at least 200 snaps, trailing only Chris Jones of the Chiefs (18.9%). The Rams’ overall pressure rate of 38% ranked fifth in the NFL.
Turner’s eats up double teams and gets after the quarterback with a ferocity that is second-to-none. He doesn’t take plays off when he’s between those white lines, and it made a difference for the Rams’ defense this season.
The Rams were the second-best team at defending the run on first down, allowing just a 31.8% success rate, per Next Gen Stats, after finishing second-to-last in that same stat last season
The offseason additions of inside linebacker Nate Landman and nose tackle Poona Ford turned the Rams’ early-down run defense from a debilitating weakness in 2024 to a strength in 2025. The Rams were the second-worst run defense on first down in terms of success rate last year (41.6%), and they flipped the script completely this season.
Success rate is defined as the percentage of carries resulting in plays that “keep the offense on schedule” to score on a given drive. For defenses, the lower that number is, the better.
The Rams’ opponents averaged the second-most yards to go on third downs (7.5), according to Next Gen Stats
Their success defending the run on first down often led to third-and-longs (seven-plus yards). And on those third-and-longs, the Rams allowed the third-lowest conversion rate (17.7%). Shula often brought simulated pressures, stunts and disguised coverages in those scenarios to confuse opposing quarterbacks and give the rushers opportunities to truly get after the passer.
The Rams’ 32.4% dime personnel rate (six defensive backs) is the highest by any defense since the 2023 Cowboys, per Next Gen Stats
When asked why the Rams took this approach, defensive coordinator Chris Shula said they want to get their best players on the field based on the situation. Safety Jaylen “Tank” McCollough adds value in the box, back deep or in the slot with his range and physicality on late downs or two-minute drills, which is when the Rams used dime personnel most often.
“You don’t want to be in it so limited that you’re playing the same thing every single time with the coverage variation and things like that, so we want to be able to play a lot of stuff out of dime, and Tank allows us to do that,” Shula said.
The Rams were the only team with two edge rushers in the top 10 for stops, per PFF: Byron Young (47, first) and Jared Verse (35, sixth)
A stop is defined as a tackle that constitutes an unsuccessful play for the offense and keeps them off-schedule to score on a given drive. People have lauded the Rams’ edge duo for their ability to impact the quarterback, and rightly so, seeing as they finished sixth among edge rusher duos in combined pressures, according to Next Gen Stats. But this duo separated themselves from the others with their impact in the run and screen game, where they were consistently disruptive.
February 17, 2026 at 11:51 pm #162219InvaderRamModerator“After the Rams cut Kupp last March, he was stunned that the most powerful people in the Rams’ organization never called to thank him for his time with the franchise. (He later debriefed with McVay and maintains a good relationship with his former head coach…).”
Sounds like he heard from McVay…later. A while after the fact.
i guess i should have read that article better. maybe mcvay learned from the goff fallout.
this was especially troubling.
After the 2024 season, rather than trying to negotiate a salary reduction with the former All-Pro, the Rams had unceremoniously cut ties, urging him to retire. As Kupp approached free agency, sources say, he came to believe that some L.A. officials had cautioned potential suitors against paying him anything more than the veteran minimum, suggesting that age and an accumulation of injuries had provoked a steep decline.
Late in the first half of that game, Kupp’s red-zone fumble had killed a potential Seattle scoring drive. According to several witnesses, the fallout from that play sparked a confrontation between Rams and Seahawks coaches as they spilled out of their upstairs boxes at half’s end and took a shared elevator ride to field level.
The witnesses said several Rams assistants were discussing the fumble in question as they neared the elevator. One offensive coach asked which Seattle player had been responsible, and when another replied that it was Kupp, the coach snickered as though he expected the answer.
That drew the ire of Seahawks outside linebackers coach Chris Partridge, whose enraged response caused Rams defensive pass rush coordinator Drew Wilkins to yell back at him. Partridge, witnesses said, had to be held back by other Seahawks coaches in the packed elevator, averting a possible skirmish.
February 18, 2026 at 7:22 am #162220wvParticipantIf i really boil the 2025 season down to its essence, for ‘me’ it was — Stafford and Puka.
Lots of other stuff goin on, but that is what i will remember.
And like the Martz team, this one was a play or two away from a Ring.
w
vFebruary 18, 2026 at 11:49 am #162225znModeratorIf i really boil the 2025 season down to its essence, for ‘me’ it was — Stafford and Puka.
Lots of other stuff goin on, but that is what i will remember.
And like the Martz team, this one was a play or two away from a Ring.
w
vTo me it was a few big things, good and bad. None of this is a startlingly unusual take.
* Stafford had about the best year a Rams qb has ever had since I first started watching them.
* Nacua is the Rams offensive Warner Bros. style Tasmanian Devil
* This is about as good a Rams OL we’ve seen since 99/2000 and it’s made out of bargain parts. Ryan Wendell may be the best Rams OL coach since the famous Hudson Houck of the old Robinson/Dickerson days, and his signature OL included (when it had Hill at guard) 2 1st rounders, a 2nd, and a 3rd, the 3rd rounder being Jackie Slater, one of the best of all time. The Rams 2025 OL in its final form, with McClendon at ROT, consisted of 2 UDFAs, a 2nd rounder, a 5th rounder, and a 4th round trade.
* Rams defense got figured out and its effort to use a recycled secondary didn’t work in the end, though still it had its moments
* I have never seen special teams cost them so many games
February 18, 2026 at 1:38 pm #162226ZooeyModeratorIf i really boil the 2025 season down to its essence, for ‘me’ it was — Stafford and Puka.
Lots of other stuff goin on, but that is what i will remember.
And like the Martz team, this one was a play or two away from a Ring.
w
vTo me it was a few big things, good and bad. None of this is a startlingly unusual take.
* Stafford had about the best year a Rams qb has ever had since I first started watching them.
* Nacua is the Rams offensive Warner Bros. style Tasmanian Devil
* This is about as good a Rams OL we’ve seen since 99/2000 and it’s made out of bargain parts. Ryan Wendell may be the best Rams OL coach since the famous Hudson Houck of the old Robinson/Dickerson days, and his signature OL included (when it had Hill at guard) 2 1st rounders, a 2nd, and a 3rd, the 3rd rounder being Jackie Slater, one of the best of all time. The Rams 2025 OL in its final form, with McClendon at ROT, consisted of 2 UDFAs, a 2nd rounder, a 5th rounder, and a 4th round trade.
* Rams defense got figured out and its effort to use a recycled secondary didn’t work in the end, though still it had its moments
* I have never seen special teams cost them so many games
And they still damn near won it all.
They’re in a good position to take another run at it in 2026. Injuries would seem to be the biggest potential derailment.
But. Lots of things can happen. So will this team cash in on the opportunity before FA desertions diminish their potential? Or will it go the way of the GSOT and have only one ring to show for it?
February 20, 2026 at 3:56 pm #162249znModeratorCada touchdown de nuestra temporada 👀🐏
Más momentos destacados en https://t.co/bDQjoDrRdV pic.twitter.com/XIoY1JgU4S
— Rams en Español (@VamosRams) February 20, 2026
February 20, 2026 at 4:01 pm #162250znModerator10 Rams make PFF’s top 101 players of 2025
Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua were both in the top 10 of PFF’s 2025 rankings of the top 101 playersCameron DaSilva
Even though they came up short in the NFC Championship Game, the Los Angeles Rams were unquestionably one of the two or three best teams in the league last season. Their special teams and defensive units let them down against the Seattle Seahawks but collectively, the Rams were as talented as anyone.
Pro Football Focus’ latest rankings from the 2025 season back up that notion. PFF ranked the top 101 players from this past season and the Rams were all over the list. They had 10 players selected, led by Matthew Stafford at No. 6 and Puka Nacua at No. 2.
None of the Rams’ representatives were terribly surprising, but it is good to see Poona Ford, Kobie Turner and Kevin Dotson all getting the recognition they deserve as top-60 players in the NFL.
Stafford and Nacua were the highest-ranked players at their respective positions, with only Myles Garrett (No. 1) finishing ahead of Nacua on the overall list. Here’s where each Rams player ranked in the top 101.
89. WR Davante Adams
83. OLB Byron Young
82. RB Kyren Williams
71. OT Alaric Jackson
68. OLB Jared Verse
59. NT Poona Ford
58. DT Kobie Turner
46. RG Kevin Dotson
6. QB Matthew Stafford
2. WR Puka Nacua
PFF named Stafford its 2025 MVP after his 46-touchdown season, also leading the NFL with 4,707 passing yards.
The PFF MVP and NFL MVP is the highest-ranked quarterback in this year’s PFF 101. His 91.9 PFF passing grade and 7.7% big-time throw rate paced the position. It was the first time in Stafford’s career that he earned a PFF overall grade above 90.0, setting a career high at 38 years old.
Nacua went over 2,000 yards receiving when including the playoffs, only the second receiver ever to eclipse that mark. The other? Cooper Kupp in 2021, also with the Rams.
Nacua put up a 2,047-yard season when including the playoffs, one of the most impressive years ever for a wide receiver. He led all receivers with a 96.1 PFF receiving grade, and his 3.57 yards per route run average was more than a full yard better than any other receiver not named Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
It was a stellar season for several Rams players, as evidenced by PFF’s list. They made up nearly 10% of the rankings, which is jarring. The rival Seahawks had eight, for comparison.
February 21, 2026 at 1:36 pm #162268znModeratorAt cornerback and receiver in particular, names from further down the depth chart may face pressure to fill the roles vacated by departing free agents. Cobie Durant and Roger McCreary will hit the open market from the secondary. Tutu Atwell is a pending free agent as well.
Emmanuel Forbes – Cornerback
Let’s start with the obvious one: cornerback Emmanuel Forbes. Every Horns fan knows the secondary needs help, and now depth could be an issue with Durant and McCreary hitting free agency. Relying on Forbes again will be a disaster if he doesn’t step up his game.
The third-year corner put up solid numbers on the surface. He tied for the team lead with three interceptions. Per Pro Football Focus, Forbes was second in the NFL with 13 pass breakups. By passer rating allowed, he finished 37th among 114 graded cornerbacks.
His physical play and interceptions supplied excitement, but that’s only part of the equation. Although Forbes rebounded somewhat from a disastrous start, Rams fans watched get gouged in coverage all too often. Despite logging over 800 snaps (35th), he ranked just 72nd in stops, tackles defined as preventing a successful gain by the offense. He made nine all year.
Worse, among graded corners, his 16 missed tackles per PFF were the NFL’s third-most. For a secondary that just needs to hold down the fort, those basic mistakes are a massive problem. It all adds up to a paltry 53.8 overall PFF grade, in the bottom 19 percent at the position. Badly exposed as a starter, Forbes will have to be considerably better to keep a regular role at all, let alone entice the Rams to pick up his $11.7 million club option in 2027.
Jordan Whittington – Wide Receiver
Matthew Stafford would probably like one of his receivers to emerge as a dependable third option. Puka Nacua and Davante Adams will do the heavy lifting, but what happens when they get banged up like they did last season? Will the offense be able to make a living force-feeding tight ends?
Maybe it will, but if someone needs to step up on the receiver depth chart, it’s Whittington. The former sixth-round draft pick took a step back as a sophomore, coming up with just 18 catches for 171 yards. Nearly two-thirds of his regular-season production came in the first six weeks.
Whittington’s lack of involvement afterward is a concern entering his third season. If he doesn’t provide more, he may find his reps going to Xavier Smith and Konata Mumphfield, in addition to any receiver the Rams take in the upcoming draft. As a late-round selection who hasn’t progressed as hoped, Whittington shouldn’t take his job security for granted.
February 21, 2026 at 1:42 pm #162269znModeratorMaybe it will, but if someone needs to step up on the receiver depth chart, it’s Whittington. The former sixth-round draft pick took a step back as a sophomore, coming up with just 18 catches for 171 yards.
I don’t know what will happen obviously, but this reminds me of McClendon. The new Rams ROT had a very mediocre 2nd year in the league, but then took a leap forward in 2025, his 3rd year.
Another example is Byron Young. Young was of course a starter all along, but he really took a huge step up in 2025/his 3rd year. Here are Young’s career numbers (see among other things the seasonal grade, which is the last number on the far right under “AV”):
February 21, 2026 at 8:10 pm #162272znModerator10 Rams make PFF’s top 101 players of 2025
LAFB Network@LAFBNetwork
Most PFF Top 101 players in the NFL?10- Los Angeles Rams
9-
8- Seattle Seahawks
7-
6-
5- Lions, Broncos, Texans, Colts, 49ers
4- Falcons, Ravens, Jaguars, EaglesFebruary 22, 2026 at 10:55 am #162278znModeratorfrom 2025 PFF All-Playoff Team: The best players at every position in the postseason — https://www.pff.com/news/2025-pff-all-playoff-team-the-best-players-at-every-position-in-the-postseason
Let’s take a look at PFF’s 2025 All-Playoff Team, looking at the highest-graded players from the postseason.
WR: Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams – 86.0
Puka Nacua was the highest-graded receiver in the regular season, earning a 96.3 PFF grade while catching a league-high 129 passes for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns. That dominance continued into the postseason. Nacua was essentially the triple crown winner in the playoffs, leading all receivers in catches (24), receiving yards (332) and receiving touchdowns in three games, and his 86.0 PFF grade was third among wideouts.
Nacua garnered at least 10 targets in all three postseason games and compiled a 91.5 PFF grade against the Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game, hauling in nine of 14 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown. The former BYU receiver has made the jump from a very good receiver to one of the NFL’s elite in 2025.
S: Kamren Kinchens, Los Angeles Rams – 84.3
Tied with Woodson with an 84.3 PFF grade, the Rams’ Kamren Kinchens had a strong postseason and has a growing reputation on one of the NFL’s top defenses. Kinchens accumulated 11 tackles across three postseason games, adding five stops, and his 88.8 PFF tackling grade was second at the position.
Kinchens really shone in coverage, though. The former third-round pick was targeted five times, allowing three receptions for 17 yards while notching a pass breakup. His 78.6 PFF coverage grade led all safeties in the postseason.
K: Harrison Mevis, Los Angeles Rams – 82.0
Harrison Mevis has fast become a reliable source of points after winning the job as the Rams’ kicker back in Week 11. Mevis made all 39 extra point attempts in the regular season and finished 12-of-13 on field goal attempts, with the lone miss coming against the Seahawks in Week 16.
Mevis was money in the playoffs, converting on 9-of-9 extra points and 6-of-6 field goals. Four of Mevis’ field goal conversions came between 40-49 yards, the most of any kicker in the postseason, and the former Missouri Tiger made his lone field goal of over 50 yards. His 82.0 PFF field goal grade led the postseason.
February 25, 2026 at 9:13 pm #162337znModeratorJ.B.’s end-of-season picks: A balanced, historic offense highlights an unforgettable 2025 campaign
J.B. Long
The season stretched from the shores of Maui to the clubhouses of Camden Yards and the urban center of London.
12 regular season wins, two road playoff victories for only the third time in franchise history, and a trip to the NFC Championship game.
The Los Angeles Rams produced the top-scoring offense in the league, MVP and Offensive Player of the Year candidates, first-team All-Pro honors for both Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua, career years across the roster, more milestones for Sean McVay, the expansion of his coaching tree, and high-water marks for home attendance as the Rams went 7-1 at SoFi Stadium.
As for our team-specific honors, they’re a reflection of vision cast and ambition realized. Coming home from Philadelphia last January, the Rams knew they were close to greatness and attacked the offseason. This offseason should be more of the same, but before they construct the 2026 roster, let’s recognize some of the leading contributors from another of the greatest seasons in franchise history.
Free Agent Signing – Davante Adams
The story of the 2025 season began with the return of Stafford, followed shortly thereafter by the retention of left tackle Alaric Jackson. With those two pieces in place, the recruitment of a future Hall of Famer began in earnest (and from abroad).
The Rams knew they needed to unlock the red zone. And with an elite short-field weapon like Adams, LA went from generating touchdowns on 51% of red zone trips in 2024 to 65% of those chances in 2025.
For the third time in his career, Adams led the NFL in touchdown receptions – and did so by a comfortable margin, despite missing the final three games with a hamstring injury. His 14 scores tied for second-most in his career, 12 came in the red zone, and 11 from the 10-yard-line or below.
Adams bolstered his Canton resume by ascending to seventh all-time in touchdown receptions, now four shy of Larry Fitzgerald in the NFL record books. He also became the 18th player to reach 1,000 career yards receiving in the postseason and registered his ninth playoff touchdown, cracking the NFL’s all-time Top 10.
Ironman – Coleman Shelton
Another important offseason acquisition flew under the radar but paid major dividends.
Offensive line continuity drives success under McVay, and this year, center Coleman Shelton epitomized it. Every snap of Stafford’s All-Pro season came from Shelton, back for his second stint in Los Angeles. Stafford’s 3.71 percent sack rate was the lowest of his Rams’ tenure and second-best of his NFL career. Shelton’s performance – physical and mental, pre-and-post-snap – played a central role. He was charged with only two sacks and four pressures allowed by Pro Football Focus, grading out at the highest level of his career, both in overall and run blocking measures.
Reserve of the Year – Warren McClendon Jr.
While we’re along the offensive line, our Reserve of the Year stepped in for a captain at right tackle and thrived.
Warren McClendon had pinch-hit, both in 2024 and early in this 2025 schedule, and held his own. Once he resumed the starting role in Week 12, it was clear he would not be relinquishing it.
With Rob Havenstein on the shelf, McClendon took over for the final 10 contests and looked the part of an NFL right tackle. While his performance may have dipped in the postseason, McClendon’s third pro season was worthy of the highest PFF grade on the Rams offensive line, and he finished the regular season as a Top 10 offensive tackle in their system.
Let’s also use this opportunity to once again celebrate all that Havenstein contributed to the organization throughout his 11-year career.
Position Group – Tight End
LA’s offensive line absolutely was deserving of this award.
However, because of the total pivot to 13 personnel, the collective improvements and contributions of this unit, and the outsized role they played in the NFL’s best offense, I opted to recognize the tight end room.
It was a fair critique that the Rams had the least productive group in the NFL in 2024 – collectively, they produced 51 catches, 459 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. Fast forward one year and those tight end totals jump to 103 receptions, 1,128 receiving yards, and 17 touchdowns.
Much of it was driven by enhanced opportunity. Nonetheless, credit to first-year tight ends coach Scott Huff for maximizing his array of personnel.
Colby Parkinson led the way with a career year. His nine scores set a franchise record for touchdowns by a tight end. Plus, he added a dramatic game-winner in Charlotte in the Wild Card round.
Tyler Higbee persevered through injury once again to play 10 games and secure his place as the most accomplished tight end in Rams history.
Davis Allen also had the best season of his three-year career, while playing inline, in the backfield, in the slot, and out wide. His pass protection was particularly noteworthy.
As for the rookie? He gave us a glimpse of the future at the position.
Offensive Rookie of the Year – Terrance Ferguson
With running back Jarquez Hunter effectively redshirting, this was a two-man race between the first pick in the Rams class (drafted 46th overall) and the last (242nd).
Konata Mumpfield had some nice moments, but Terrance Ferguson was the clear choice here.
After playing only eight offensive snaps through the first five weeks, the former Oregon Duck became a steady part of the rotation as the 13-personnel identity came to life. Ferguson announced his arrival in London, scoring a 31-yard touchdown. By December, he’d reached another gear, with impressive performances in Seattle and Atlanta, before a hamstring injury suffered in practice derailed his closing kick.
Ferguson will be forever linked with whomever the Rams select 13th overall this spring (or whatever they opt to do with that pick), but as a standalone second-round selection, he showed flashes of being a weapon in the passing game that the offense can deploy for many years to come.
Defensive Rookie of the Year – Josaiah Stewart
Of the 27 edge defenders selected in the Class of 2025, these are Josaiah Stewart’s rankings relative to his peers.
Pick order: 15th
Snap count: 9th
Sacks: 6th
PFF Defensive Grade: 3rd
PFF Run Defense Grade: 2nd
PFF Pass Rush Grade: 2nd
Like Ferguson, he’ll turn 23 this offseason and appears to have only scratched the surface, having comfortably outplayed his draft slot.
Most Improved Player – Byron Young
Stewart was contending with a couple of Pro Bowlers for snaps at his position, including the most productive edge rusher for the Rams, Byron Young.
He made a resounding opening statement, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Month in September and registering at least a half-sack in the first seven games of the season. Though that breakneck pace was unsustainable, Young finished with 64 pressures, 12 tackles for loss, and a top 10 grade among all edge defenders, playing the run nearly as well as he got to opposing quarterbacks.
He is the first Ram to record at least 12 sacks since Aaron Donald in 2021. Young and AD99 are the only Rams with at least 7.5 sacks each of their first three seasons. And here’s one more link to the GOAT: Only Robert Quinn (34.5) and Donald (28.0) have more sacks in their first three seasons as Rams than Young (27.5).
Comeback Player of the Year – Blake Corum
There was a stretch in December in which Kyren Williams and Blake Corum became the first teammates in modern NFL history to each have at least 70 rushing yards and a rushing score in three straight games.
The way they complemented and elevated each other in 2025 was the ideal version of a running back tandem that had eluded the Rams offense for so long. With the stated goal of getting more explosive runs in 2025, Corum achieved at an elite level (11.7 percent of his carries, second only to Devon Achane among qualifiers, per SumerSports).
For Williams, his steady production followed a well-deserved contract extension. For Corum, his 782 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns marked his return from a broken arm that kept him out of the playoffs as a rookie. Collectively, they delivered the sport’s most efficient running game.
Moment of the Year – Kam Curl INT in Chicago
As with any successful season, there were more signature moments than we could ever capture in this year-end celebration.
The first of many Nate Landman punch-outs in the opener against Houston comes to mind. How about Tutu Atwell’s game winner over Indianapolis? The Adams hat trick in the UK. Stafford fileting the 49ers in Santa Clara. Cobie Durant’s pick-six versus the Buccaneers. Parkinson’s go-ahead touchdown in Charlotte.
No exaggeration, Puka Nacua single-handedly generated a nomination per week, with jaw-dropping catches against the Panthers and Cardinals, not to mention several others that didn’t count (see: Atlanta).
Ultimately, we landed on Kam Curl’s overtime interception in Chicago as our Moment of the Year, because it checked all the boxes: improbable, indelible, and consequential. We’ll remember the wind chill and the snow, and the heroics of Caleb Williams, and especially the takeaways in the Rams secondary that allowed them to overcome it all.
At the tail end of season in which he set a Rams record for most tackles by a safety, Curl’s ball skills kept the playoff push alive.
Special Teams Player of the Year – Harrison Mevis
Curl also teed up the heroics of Harrison Mevis.
And for a season scarred by special teams miscues, a sub-zero walk-off win courtesy of the Thiccer Kicker was cold-blooded.
With a nod to veteran long-snapper Jake McQuaide, who came off the couch to settle down the entire kicking operation, Mevis completely flipped the Rams’ fortunes.
Undrafted, released at the end of summer camps with the Panthers and Jets, Mevis made the most of his UFL stint in Birmingham and then did not miss his chance with the Rams.
Diving in midseason to make his NFL debut in November in Santa Clara, Mevis nailed nine extra points to break in as a pro. Then, he proceeded to convert 18-of-19 field goal tries with a long of 52 yards and all 48 of his point-after attempts by season’s end.
As an exclusive rights free agent, it’s hard to imagine Mevis won’t be the incumbent when the Rams open their offseason program this spring, as he’s given them every confidence he can be a long-term answer to their kicking search.
Defensive Player of the Year– Poona Ford
This may have been the most difficult choice.
On a defense that had two Pro Bowlers – Young and Jared Verse – as well as difference-making captains who enjoyed career years – Quentin Lake and Landman – I kept coming back to Poona Ford as the bedrock of a defense that looked elite at its peak and found its level as much-improved.
Lake, in particular, because of the results with and without him, had a very compelling case. His missed time disqualified him but simultaneously underscored his value.
Ultimately, I went with Ford for a few reasons.
First, the stated goal of the offseason on defense was to fortify the run defense. And largely because of Ford’s addition, the Rams jumped from 21st to fifth in that category (as measured by DVOA).
Secondly, Ford outperformed his own lofty standards. He earned the highest PFF grade since his rookie season of 2018, not only delivering his characteristic toughness against the run, but also straightening up and rushing the pass rusher better than any prior campaign. With 34 total pressures and three sacks, Ford was a free agent force.
Lastly, his durability in the crucible of the trenches was invaluable. The 30-year-old played in every game, including the postseason. If you were looking for an unheralded secret to the Rams success, I’d point to the men closest to the ball on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Just like Shelton, Ford was an ironman for Los Angeles in his first year in Horns.
Offensive Player of the Year – Puka Nacua
As with the NFL Honors, I believe Offensive Player of the Year has become a non-quarterback award because MVP has become exclusive to quarterbacks. Until that changes, I’m going with it.
Therefore, even though you all know where we’re going next, it’s time to give Nacua his flowers, and I’ll use many of the same talking points that should have put him over the top of Jaxon Smith-Njigba (and Christian McCaffrey) in the league-wide race.
If all we were allowed to consider was the passing game – who had the best receiving season? – I would have voted for Nacua.
In 2025, he earned the highest single-game and season-long offensive grade PFF has ever given a receiver. In terms of EPA, he was generationally great. Volume and efficiency were both off the charts. The ratio of contested catches to drops was immaculate. He saved his best for last, including a career night in prime time against the best defense in football in Seattle. Man, zone, full route tree, red zone, unlocking the end zone, he did it all this year.
And even though that’s plenty, Puka also has a pair of aces in the hole.
There may not be a better blocker in the sport at his position. And even if there were, certainly none of them are as integral to their offense as Nacua is to his. So much of the Rams’ playbook is built around his viability as a blocker.
Even after the scheme is deployed, Nacua continues to thrive without the ball in his hands. Think back to that night in Chicago, when he snow-plowed pathways for Colby Parkinson and others.
His second leg-up on the competition are his contributions to the running game when he’s actually got the rock. His first score of 2025 was a career-best 45-yard house call in Nashville. Including playoffs, he rushed for more than eight yards per carry, two touchdowns, and seven first downs.
Nacua’s third year as a pro goes down as a top-five receiving season in franchise history, in an echelon where only Cooper Kupp, Isaac Bruce, and Torry Holt reside.
Most Valuable Player – Matthew Stafford
Last February, and again in August, there was real doubt that Stafford was even going to be the Rams’ quarterback when they opened the 2025 season.
Though it didn’t end with a ring, it proved to be the finest campaign of his 17-year career.
He was the animating force of a historically efficient offense that led the league in scoring. Seemingly a month didn’t go by in which he didn’t make team or NFL history, with his characteristic swagger and bravado that led to scores of don’t-try-this-at-home throws.
Early on, Stafford was standing on the accelerator, relentlessly spamming Nacua and Adams with targets. Then on one week’s notice, he and the Rams changed gears. They shape-shifted and embraced a new tight-end-driven identity the extremes of which the league had never seen.
Among the highpoints I call back to: His 28 straight touchdowns without an interception, breaking Tom Brady’s NFL record; his 12 straight multi-touchdown performances, the sixth-longest streak in league history; authoring the fourth instance of at least 45 touchdown tosses and no more than eight interceptions in a season.
Like Nacua, against the stoutest defense in the league, Stafford was at his very best. He backed up a Week 16 game in Seattle (457 passing yards and three touchdowns) with a playoff game for the ages at Lumen Field (374 passing yards and three scores), committing no turnovers in either.
Now we rest in another February where the future may be uncertain, but the optimism is unbridled. Because the McVay-Stafford partnership extends to a sixth lap, and they return the MVP to the league’s top-scoring offense, with more draft capital and salary cap than ever before.
February 25, 2026 at 9:52 pm #162338znModeratorJ.B.’s end-of-season picks: A balanced, historic offense highlights an unforgettable 2025 campaign
J.B. Long
This is “the read” in this thread.
February 25, 2026 at 10:27 pm #162339ZooeyModeratorFebruary 26, 2026 at 1:20 am #162341znModeratorJ.B.’s end-of-season picks: A balanced, historic offense highlights an unforgettable 2025 campaign
J.B. Long
This is “the read” in this thread.
Is this going to be on the test?
Yes. It will be, but only for those who pass the test.
February 26, 2026 at 7:09 am #162343wvParticipantI like the Poona pick.
Poona and Puka.
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