The NFL offseason has begun, and Yahoo Sports is previewing the coming months for all 32 teams, from free agency to the draft and more.
AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Patriots | Jets
AFC North: Ravens | Bengals | Browns | Steelers
AFC South: Texans | Colts | Jaguars | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chiefs | Raiders | Chargers
National League East: Cowboys | Giants | Eagles | Commander
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
National League South: Falcons | Panthers | Saints | Buccaneers
NFC West: Cardinals | Rams | 49ers | Seahawks
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2025 season record: 12-5 (9.5 wins), second in NFC West, lost to Seahawks in NFC Championship Game, second in DVOA
Overview
There have been concerns all offseason about Matthew Stafford’s health and longevity. Trade discussions were held. There is a chamber of immortality there. Will Stafford’s back hold up? Well, this might be the best season of Stafford’s career. The quarterback produced an MVP-caliber performance, and the Rams finished second in DVOA.
A lot of things went right for the Rams during the regular season. They found a running game that leads the league in success rate. Midway through the season, the Rams moved down to 13 personnel, which allowed the Rams to control the game with more size in the air and on the ground. Sean McVay is very good at figuring out which levers to use to develop this offense, and the tight end’s blockbuster moves have been successful.
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The defense, meanwhile, is one of the best-coordinated units in the league, which puts DC Chris Shula in the discussion as a head coaching candidate around the league.
The Rams looked like the best, most complete team in the NFL for much of the season, but narrowly lost to the Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game, falling just short of the Super Bowl. Will key players carry over into 2026, or is this the beginning of the team’s next evolution under McVay?
cap/cut prospects
The Rams have more than $45 million in projected salary cap space, the eighth-highest amount among all NFL teams, according to OvertheCap. There’s a lot of room to play here. It also depends on Matthew Stafford’s future. If the quarterback, who turns 38 in February, retires, the Rams will free up another $6.4 million in cap space, but will likely have to use much of that cap space to find a new quarterback because the team appears to be out of the rookie pool in what is likely to be a quarterback-only draft. Davante Adams’ retirement will also free up $14 million in space. The most likely cap hit is Darius Williams, who will create $7.5 million in cap space.
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Key Pending Free Agents
S Cam Cole
OL Rob Havenstein
TE Tyler Higbee
WR Tutu Atwell
Cole was a cheap free agent signing two years ago when the safety market was down, and he has been an integral part of the Rams’ defensive line. According to FTN, Cole leads all defensive backs in tackles and ranks fourth among safeties in tackles for loss (runs stopped at or behind the line of scrimmage). Havenstein has been a big part of the Rams’ offensive line, but in his absence, Warren McClendon Jr. has excelled at right tackle (12th in pass-block win rate, 2nd in run-block win rate) and could become a cheaper prospect at the position.
Job requirements
cornerback
wide receiver
defender
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The outside corner is where the Rams defense could be vulnerable this season. The Rams rank fourth in EPA per game when it comes to throwing passes to wide receivers, but rank 28th in yards allowed per pass attempt. Some superficial bells and whistles mask some overall weaknesses, but that’s a tough way to survive long-term. The wide receiver needs hinge on Davante Adams. If he returns, the Rams could still upgrade at the third receiver position when the offense goes to 11 — and a more consistent deep threat could emerge. If Adams retires — which he joked he would when Stafford retires early in the season — then a greater need for a No. 2 receiver behind Pukanacua becomes urgent. Finding a linebacker with more coverage might help. Omar Speights ranks 16th at the position in yards allowed per catch, while Nate Landman ranks 52nd.
2026 NFL Draft Picks
First round, No. 13 pick (ATL)
first round
second round
third round
fifth round
Round 6 (CLE)
Round six
Round 7 (Barr)
Round 7 (estimated compensation)
Round 7 (estimated compensation)
Good draft coordination
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
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If McCoy’s injury is clear, he could be the first cornerback drafted. But he didn’t play last season after tearing his ACL in training last offseason. That could put him at the bottom of the Rams’ mid-to-late first-round draft picks. McCoy has great size and could be a difference-maker on the outside if he maintains his pre-injury athleticism.
Betting on gold nuggets
The Rams are one of the better teams against the spread in the NFL this season with a 12-5 record, the franchise’s best record since 1999 when the Rams went 13-3. — Ben Fox
