Voluntary offseason workouts are underway, the NFL Draft is creeping closer, and yet the Los Angeles Rams roster is incomplete.
That shouldn’t come as a surprise as the Rams will likely fill a lot of the team’s roster holes during next week’s draft and the undrafted free agency period. At the same time, it’s a bit peculiar that the Rams currently have one quarterback under contract and the team doesn’t have any special teams players on its roster.
“OTAs are underway, the draft is nine days away, and yet the Rams’ only QB currently under contract is Matthew Stafford while the team also currently does not have a kicker, punter nor long snapper on its roster,” ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter tweeted on Tuesday.
OTAs are underway, the draft is nine days away, and yet the Rams’ only QB currently under contract is Matthew Stafford while the team also currently does not have a kicker, punter nor long snapper on its roster.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 18, 2023
Yes, Matthew Stafford will be the Rams starting quarterback in 2023 barring anything unforeseen. At the same time, the 35-year-old Stafford underwent an elbow procedure prior to last season and dealt with multiple concussions and suffered a season-ending spinal contusion. It would likely behoove the Rams to get a backup on board, considering Stafford’s injury history. The team elected not to tender Bryce Perkins a contract last month but is reportedly open to bringing him back. That still hasn’t happened yet, though, and could perhaps be a move that takes place after the draft.
As for not having a kicker, punter nor long snapper, that’s a little bit less concerning when considering those positions can be addressed in the latter portion of the 2023 NFL Draft and the undrafted free agency period.
In any event, it’s still a bit curious that the Rams didn’t make any depth moves there to at least have bodies for off-season workouts.
The NFL world reacted to the wild Rams news on social media:
McVay finally going #NeverPunt. About time somebody did. https://t.co/jyPMDkUtw3
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) April 18, 2023
It may be my time @JwPalms !
Bring out the big lefty!QB 77 https://t.co/KKSkjqpBY8
— Andrew Whitworth (@AndrewWhitworth) April 18, 2023
Good things take time. And a certain quarterback https://t.co/CbqySX2NwH
— John E. Hoover 🌮 (@johnehoover) April 18, 2023
Is it happening @footenoted? https://t.co/kuWnyqbh21 pic.twitter.com/1bh91O60gi
— Joel Penfield (@jtpenfield) April 18, 2023
Sounds like operation Caleb Williams is in full effect. https://t.co/PelMag228O
— Jfrancia (@Jfrancia_4) April 18, 2023
I will kick, punt and long snap for the Rams https://t.co/BdEZ1mkp0T
— Michael Katz (@MichaelLKatz) April 18, 2023
They only have 45 players on their roster (everyone else except SEA has 60+). And their defense is Donald and a bunch of plumbers https://t.co/X9Bd03FjMf
— DK (@dkarkots) April 18, 2023
I really can't believe McVay didn't just retire to the booth. Rams are barely going to be playing football in 2023. https://t.co/Ym9j0VxbWR
— rcon14 (@rcon14) April 18, 2023
The Rams have a total of just 45 players under contract right now, *by far* the fewest in the NFL.
They do have 11 picks in the draft, but their undrafted free agent class could be historic in size this year to fill out a 90-man roster.
Half the 90-man roster is open in LA. https://t.co/26iTDrgsDf
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 18, 2023
