Posts in category: Don Lichterman

On The Rampage: What follows is the full story of the Rams’ last several weeks in 2026

What follows is the full story of the Rams’ last several weeks — the transactions, the coaching staff decisions, the hidden signals inside the roster churn, the salary-cap landscape, the draft chessboard, and the not-so-small detail that might matter as much as any free-agent signing. The Rams are staying healthier than almost everyone else, and the league just noticed in a big way.

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The Rams’ Offseason Philosophy in One Sentence: Depth Is a Weapon

The best teams don’t just collect stars. They collect options.

They collect redundancy. They collect “next man up” credibility. They collect enough functional, trained, system-fit players that injuries don’t turn into spirals — they turn into adjustments.

That’s exactly what the Rams have been doing with their reserve/future contracts and practice squad elevations. On paper, it can look like noise. In reality, it’s a blueprint: keep feeding the pipeline, keep the roster flexible, keep the bottom half of the depth chart alive and capable.

And if you’re a Rams fan who understands how Sean McVay wants to operate when the games start turning into rock fights in December, you already know why this matters.

Because the Rams don’t want to be talented. They want to be inevitable. When they last won the Super Bowl, the Rams’ defense in the final game felt like a surge at times—devouring the offense and swallowing it whole on the way to victory.

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February’s Quiet Statement: The Rams Locked Up the Reinforcements

Let’s start with the most telling stretch.

On 02/19, the Rams signed a wave of players to Reserve/Future contracts: OL A.J. Arcuri, OL Wyatt Bowles, WR Tru Edwards, S Tanner Ingle, CB Alex Johnson, CB Cam Lampkin, OL Dylan McMahon, ILB Elias Neal, DL Bill Norton, WR Brennan Presley, TE Mark Redman, WR Tyler Scott, S Nate Valcarcel, RB Jordan Waters, and WR Mario Williams.

That’s not “filling space.” That’s inventorying the roster for camp before camp even arrives.

It’s also the kind of move that tells you what the Rams think the modern NFL season is: not a 53-man story, but a 70-to-90-man story. Teams that pretend otherwise get exposed.

Then, on 02/18, the Rams re-signed offensive lineman David Quessenberry to a one-year deal. That’s the kind of signing that never wins the internet for a day but wins games over a season — because competent line depth is oxygen. You don’t notice it when you have it. You suffocate when you don’t.

And in the Rams’ case, it’s not just depth for depth’s sake. It’s depth in a system that expects the offensive line to keep the quarterback clean while the offense shifts personnel, tempo, and tendency week-to-week.

If you want an identity, start there: protect the engine.

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Quentin Lake’s Extension Wasn’t Just a Contract — It Was a Culture Choice

One of the cleanest signals of how the Rams view their core came in the headline move: safety and team captain Quentin Lake agreed to a three-year extension.

This isn’t just about locking up a player. It’s about locking up a standard.

McVay teams, at their best, run on trust. A safety who is a captain and gets extended is a vote for communication, leadership, versatility, and consistent execution — especially in a defense that expects its backend to handle shifts, disguise, and sudden stress.

Teams don’t extend captains by accident. They extend them because they want the locker room to look like that player.

And the Rams clearly do.

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The 2026 Coaching Staff: McVay Is Doubling Down on Evolution, Not Comfort

Now let’s talk about the part that ties everything together: the 2026 coaching staff.

This staff isn’t just a list of titles — it’s a message about where the Rams are headed stylistically, structurally, and philosophically.

Sean McVay enters Year 10 as head coach, and the Rams are behaving like a team that expects to keep winning, not one that’s satisfied with past banners. The staff includes a strong mix of returnees and new hires, and it feels designed for one thing: staying ahead of tendencies, staying ahead of league adjustments, and staying ahead of the next wave of defensive responses.

Kliff Kingsbury arrives as assistant head coach. That’s the headline everyone will argue about, but the underlying concept is obvious: the Rams want more offensive intelligence in the building, more idea density, and more ways to stress defenses before the ball is snapped.

Nate Scheelhaase stepping into the offensive coordinator role after serving as pass game coordinator fits that same theme. It’s continuity with elevation — the Rams promoting from within when the internal voice is already aligned with the core offense.

Dave Ragone remains quarterbacks coach and now carries associate coordinator in his title, reinforcing that quarterback development and pass-game continuity remain central. And let’s be real: in the modern NFL, staffs that treat QB coaching as an afterthought get punished.

The position coach promotions tell their own story. Rob Calabrese moving into wide receivers after being an offensive assistant speaks to development structure — and the Rams’ receivers aren’t a small side project. That room is a keystone.

Ryan Wendell continues to oversee the offensive line, and the offensive line results in 2025 speak for themselves: when you’re among the league’s best at avoiding sacks, you don’t reinvent the wheel. You fortify it.

Scott Huff’s tight ends group exploding in production and becoming central to the Rams’ heavier personnel identity is arguably one of the most important tactical shifts in the entire organization. When a team finds a personnel-driven identity that creates matchup stress, it doesn’t “dabble” in it next year. It builds around it.

Eric Yarber’s continued presence — now as senior offensive assistant/wide receivers — matters because the Rams don’t treat receiver development like a rotating door. That continuity is part of why the group stays sharp.

Ron Gould returning at running backs keeps the developmental backbone of the ground game intact.

Zak Kromer remains, and adding Brian Allen — a former Rams starting center — into a full-time coaching role is the type of move that often shows up later as “how did they keep getting competent line play?” Because ex-centers who understand protection calls and leverage don’t just coach technique — they coach decision-making.

And then there’s Robert Woods joining as assistant wide receivers coach. That’s not nostalgia. That’s an identity play. Woods is one of the most culturally “Rams” Rams you can find — toughness, professionalism, attention to detail, and a team-first edge.

Defensively, Chris Shula returns as coordinator, with a staff that reflects continuity and targeted refinement. Giff Smith remains tied to the run game and defensive line, and the pass rush structure stays intact with Drew Wilkins as pass rush coordinator. Jimmy Lake moves into pass game coordinator/defensive backs, and if you know anything about modern defensive football, you know that role is not decorative. It’s how you survive against the league’s passing evolution.

Bubba Ventrone taking over special teams is a major story in its own right because special teams can quietly swing field position battles, and field position battles quietly swing games.

And then there’s the game management piece: Dan Shamash continuing in that rules-and-operations role matters more than people want to admit, especially for a team that was the least-penalized in the 2025 regular season. Discipline is a competitive advantage. The Rams treat it like one.

This staff feels like a group built to win close games, win playoff-style games, and win games where the opponent knows what you want to do — and can’t stop it anyway.

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The Salary Cap Jump Changes Everything — and the Rams Are Positioned to Strike

Now add money to intention.

The 2026 NFL salary cap is set at $301.2 million — an all-time high, up $22 million from last season.

That matters for every team, but it matters more for teams that already have a coherent plan and aren’t drowning in dead cap. The Rams are projected to sit around the $42 million range in cap space (projection, not gospel), which puts them among the better-positioned teams in the league.

Translation: flexibility. Real flexibility.

And here’s what makes it interesting: free agency opens March 11 (with the negotiating period starting March 9). The Rams have a meaningful list of pending free agents, including names that touch multiple layers of the roster — from skill positions to trench depth to defensive backs.

That kind of free agent list can either be a problem or an opportunity. If you’re a team drifting, it’s a problem. If you’re a team with direction and cap maneuverability, it’s an opportunity to re-sculpt the roster in your own image.

The Rams look like the second kind of team.

Rams 2026 Free Agency Tracker

The Los Angeles Rams enter the 2026 offseason with 19 pending free agents as the new league year begins March 12.

Key Updates

• Re-Signed: OT David Quessenberry (one-year deal)
• Extensions Signed: S Quentin Lake, LB Nate Landman
• Retired: OT Rob Havenstein

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Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA)

• Kamren Curl (S)
• Tutu Atwell (WR)
• Cobie Durant (CB)
• Tyler Higbee (TE)
• Jimmy Garoppolo (QB)
• Ahkello Witherspoon (CB)
• Roger McCreary (CB)
• D.J. Humphries (OT)
• Troy Reeder (LB)
• Nick Vannett (TE)
• Jake McQuaide (LS)
• Ronnie Rivers (RB)
• Derion Kendrick (CB)
• Larrell Murchison (DL)

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Restricted Free Agents (RFA)

• Keir Thomas (OLB)
• Nick Hampton (OLB)

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Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFA)

• Harrison Mevis (K)
• Xavier Smith (WR)
• Justin Dedich (G)

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The Draft Chessboard: Two First-Round Picks and a Very Rams-Like Set of Needs

Here’s where things get fun.

The Rams are sitting on two first-round picks: No. 13 overall and No. 29 overall. That’s not just “nice.” That’s roster-shaping leverage.

And the early mock draft conversation is telling: cornerbacks are a common projection, and offensive skill players are creeping into the mix after the combine.

That makes perfect sense for the Rams.

Cornerback need isn’t subtle in today’s NFL. If you can’t cover, you can’t survive. And the Rams live in a conference where teams will happily throw 40 times if you give them permission.

But the offensive skill angle is the part that reveals the Rams’ mindset: they’re not drafting just to patch holes. They’re drafting to create stress. They’re drafting to weaponize personnel. They’re drafting to stay unpredictable.

Some mocks have them taking a corner early and then looking at a quarterback later as a succession plan. That’s controversial in the short term, but smart teams think in timelines, not tweets. A quarterback transition handled early and cleanly is always better than one handled late and desperate.

Others link them to tight end talent — which is fascinating because the Rams’ late-season identity leaned into heavier groupings. If you found something that broke defenses, why wouldn’t you invest in it?

Then there’s the possibility of a high-upside receiver at No. 29 to future-proof the room. You don’t keep an offense elite by waiting until the cupboard is empty.

The Rams aren’t waiting. I’m sticking to my guns for now—depending on how free agency unfolds—but I maintain that we need a star cornerback and an edge rusher, somehow, some way, and fast.

Rams 2026 Offseason Outlook

The Los Angeles Rams enter the 2026 offseason with two first-round picks (No. 13 and No. 29 overall) and significant roster flexibility as they look to build around a playoff-caliber core. With Matthew Stafford returning for 2026, attention turns to strengthening the secondary and planning for the future at quarterback.

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First-Round Draft Focus (Picks 13 & 29)

Defensive Back Targets

• Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee) – Elite man-to-man corner; considered a strong candidate at No. 13 despite missing 2025 with an ACL injury.
• Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo) – Rangy, instinctive safety projected to upgrade the pass defense.
• Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU) – Highly graded cover corner with top-tier 2025 production.
• Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee) – Frequently projected at No. 29; potential pairing with McCoy to reshape the secondary.
• Maxwell Hairston (CB, Kentucky) – Blazing 4.28 speed at the combine; high-ceiling perimeter defender.

Offensive Targets

• Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama) – Developmental quarterback option at No. 29; could sit behind Stafford as a succession plan.
• Caleb Lomu (OT, Utah) – Potential long-term replacement at right tackle following Rob Havenstein’s retirement.

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Strategic Themes

• Reinforce the secondary with a true lockdown corner or versatile safety.
• Identify a future quarterback without disrupting the current championship window.
• Address offensive line succession after Havenstein’s retirement.

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Trade Rumors

The Rams are not sitting quietly this offseason. League chatter suggests they are at least monitoring the possibility of a blockbuster move involving a proven defensive star.

Maxx Crosby (EDGE, Raiders)
The Rams are reportedly among the top teams keeping tabs on Crosby’s situation in Las Vegas. The Raiders are believed to be seeking at least two first-round picks in return—capital the Rams currently hold at No. 13 and No. 29.

If Los Angeles were to make that kind of aggressive move, Crosby would immediately transform the defensive front. Pairing him with rising standouts Jared Verse and Braden Fiske would give the Rams one of the most explosive and disruptive defensive lines in football. It would signal an unmistakable win-now approach.

A.J. Brown (WR, Eagles)
Speculative trade theories have linked Brown to multiple teams, including the Rams. However, local analysts suggest Los Angeles is unlikely to pursue him. The projected compensation, contract implications, and potential locker room dynamics make this scenario far less realistic compared to the defensive-line focus.

At this stage, Crosby remains the name to watch if the Rams decide to swing big.

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2026 Free Agency Outlook

The Rams enter the 2026 league year (beginning March 11) with approximately $41.6 million in cap space—eighth-most in the NFL. That financial flexibility gives Los Angeles options. While extending cornerstone players like Puka Nacua and Kobie Turner remains a priority, the Rams are also being linked to several high-profile external targets.

Top Rumored Targets: Secondary & Pass Rush

With pass defense inconsistencies lingering and Rob Havenstein’s retirement creating roster ripple effects, the expectation is that the Rams will be aggressive in upgrading impact positions.

Jaylen Watson (CB, Chiefs)
Viewed as a strong schematic fit and projected by analysts as a potential plug-and-play starter at cornerback.

Tariq (Riq) Woolen (CB, Seahawks)
A frequently mentioned “youth movement” target. His elite size-speed profile would immediately upgrade the Rams’ perimeter athleticism.

Trey Hendrickson (DE, Bengals)
Considered a potential all-in move if the Rams choose to maximize what could be the final championship window with Matthew Stafford.

Jamel Dean (CB, Buccaneers)
Seen as a reliable, high-level veteran option who could stabilize the secondary long-term.

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Other Linked Free Agents

Pass Catchers

Alec Pierce (WR, Colts)
A vertical field-stretcher who fits Sean McVay’s offense stylistically, though his projected market value could drive up competition.

Rashid Shaheed (WR, Seahawks)
Explosive speed option who could fill a WR3 role while contributing on special teams.

David Njoku (TE, Browns)
Mentioned as a possible successor to Tyler Higbee, especially as the Rams continue leaning into heavier “13 personnel” formations.

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Pass Rush & Defensive Front

Jaelen Phillips (EDGE, Eagles)
High-ceiling pass rusher who would add burst and length to the defensive rotation.

Odafe Oweh (EDGE, Chargers)
Another top-tier athletic edge option to complement Jared Verse and Byron Young.

Leonard Floyd (EDGE, Falcons)
A familiar face. A veteran reunion could provide leadership and mentorship for the Rams’ young defensive core.

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Quarterback (Backup Market)

Marcus Mariota (QB, Commanders)
Rumored as a potential veteran understudy behind Stafford, with schematic ties that could make the fit seamless.

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Internal Priorities

Before chasing outside names, the Rams must decide how to handle their own free agents.

Kamren Curl (S)
Arguably the most important pending unrestricted free agent after a strong 2025 season. However, recent extensions at safety complicate his future in Los Angeles.

Cobie Durant (CB)
Considered a retention priority unless the Rams secure a premium veteran corner or draft a first-round replacement.

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With cap flexibility, two first-round picks, and a playoff-ready roster, the Rams are positioned to be selective—but aggressive. The next few weeks will reveal whether they build through extensions and youth, or swing big to push this roster from contender to inevitable.

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The Quiet Advantage That Might Matter Most: The Rams Are Winning the Health Battle

Now let’s talk about the part casual fans ignore and serious teams obsess over.

Rams SVP of Sports Medicine and Performance Reggie Scott was named Outstanding NFL Athletic Trainer of the Year by the NFL Physicians Society.

That is a massive organizational win — not because awards win games, but because what the award represents absolutely does.

The Rams have consistently been one of the healthiest teams in the league, including being among the teams with the fewest games missed due to injury in the 2025 regular season. That’s not luck. That’s process. That’s culture. That’s alignment between coaches, front office, strength staff, medical staff, sports science, nutrition — and players actually buying in.

And when a team is healthier, it becomes more consistent. More consistent teams become more confident. Confident teams execute under pressure.

This is how you build a contender that doesn’t collapse under attrition.

McVay has always been a coach who values people. The Rams’ approach to health and availability is part of that — and the league seeing it formally recognized matters, because it reinforces that this isn’t random variance.

It’s an edge.

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What It All Adds Up To: The Rams Are Not “Resetting” — They’re Reloading With Intent

Put it all together and you see a clear picture.

The Rams are stacking depth through reserve/future deals, keeping the developmental pipeline hot, and building training camp competition before the calendar even demands it.

They’re reinforcing the offensive line and keeping the protection ecosystem stable.

They’re committing to leadership and continuity in the secondary with Quentin Lake’s extension.

They’re reshaping the coaching staff with a blend of continuity and fresh intellectual input — particularly on offense — while maintaining defensive structure that has already proven it can hold its own.

They’re walking into a new league year with meaningful cap flexibility at a time when the cap itself is exploding upward.

They’re holding two first-round picks in a draft where their needs and their identity align with multiple high-impact options.

And they’re doing all of it while being one of the healthiest organizations in football — which is not a side note. It’s a multiplier.

This is not a team hoping things break right.

This is a team engineering the conditions for things to break right.

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The On-The-Rampage Prediction Nobody Else Wants to Say Out Loud

Here it is.

The Rams are positioning themselves to be the kind of team nobody wants to play late — not because they’re flashy, but because they’re layered. Because they can win with different personnel groupings. Because they can survive injuries. Because their coaching staff is built to adapt. Because their roster is being structured to create matchup problems instead of simply “having talent.”

And because they’re acting like a franchise that expects to matter.

You can feel it in the transactional churn. You can feel it in the coaching structure. You can feel it in how seriously they treat health, discipline, and availability. You can feel it in how they’re approaching the draft — not as a lottery, but as a weapon.

This is the Rams quietly telling the league: we’re not going anywhere.

We’re loading the chamber.

And 2026 is going to hear it.

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Today at the Sunset Entertainment & Media Companies

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On The Rampage February 23, 2026

The NFL offseason always creates noise. The scouting combine, draft speculation, coaching moves, roster transitions, and endless mock projections flood the league with narratives that shift daily. For most franchises, the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis is treated like football’s central command post — a public spectacle where executives shake hands, evaluate prospects in person, and signal their intentions.

The Los Angeles Rams operate differently. They act like me which is to not attend.

In 2026, once again, the Rams are rewriting the rules of modern roster building. While the league descends on Indianapolis, the Rams’ leadership remains in Los Angeles studying, analyzing, and preparing in silence. It’s a strategy that reflects how the organization thinks, how it builds, and why it continues to position itself as one of the NFL’s most aggressive and calculated franchises.

This year’s combine represents far more than workouts and measurements. It marks a pivotal offseason for the Rams, defined by draft capital, coaching evolution, roster transition, and the continuation of a championship-driven philosophy built on precision rather than spectacle.

This is the complete picture of the Rams’ 2026 offseason machine.

The Rams’ Anti-Combine Philosophy: Remote Evaluation Over Media Theater

For the sixth consecutive year, head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead are not attending the NFL Scouting Combine in person. Their absence is deliberate and not symbolic.

The Rams believe traditional combine attendance offers diminishing returns compared to film study, analytics, and controlled internal evaluation. In reality, the staff only really needs to listen to me and everything will be peerfect. Therefore, instead of operating in the chaotic environment of Indianapolis, the organization reviews prospect data remotely from its Los Angeles facility (They do not even use that house in Draft House Malibu that I used as my green screen that day).

Overall, this philosophy centers on several core principles:

• Film-first evaluation — Game tape outweighs workout performance.
• Controlled data review — Measurements and testing results are analyzed without distraction.
• Internal collaboration efficiency — Coaching and personnel staff work within their own infrastructure.
• Strategic secrecy — Public absence reduces information leakage and speculation.

The approach has become a defining identity of the franchise. What once seemed unconventional now appears influential, with other organizations beginning to adopt similar methods. You can find so-called diamonds in the rough, but that is mostly based on and determined by speed (for example, someone unknown who demonstrates how quick they are at combines) and those types of surprises or praise.

For the Rams, the combine is not a show. It is a dataset.

A Critical Moment Because of The Return of First-Round Draft Power

The 2026 NFL Draft represents a major turning point for the Rams’ roster construction strategy.

For the first time in years, the we hold two first-round selections:

• Pick No. 13 — acquired via trade with the Atlanta Falcons
• Pick No. 29 — their natural selection after losing to Seattle in the NFL Championship Game

For an organization that famously spent years trading away first-round picks in aggressive championship pursuits, this shift represents a significant recalibration. The Rams now possess premium draft leverage while still maintaining a veteran championship core.

This dual-pick structure allows the team to balance immediate roster needs with long-term succession planning — a rare position for a franchise built on win-now urgency.

Position Priorities and Where the Rams Must Improve

The Rams’ scouting focus entering the 2026 draft centers on three primary areas, and I am not going to repeat what I did last week simply because it is far too soon. I cannot wrap my head around that draft just yet, but again, please set that aside.

Cornerback — The Clear Priority

The secondary is widely viewed as the most pressing roster need. With potential departures in the defensive backfield and an evolving defensive scheme, the Rams require a long-term anchor at corner.

Top prospects linked to the team include:

• Jermod McCoy (Tennessee) — Elite athletic profile with strong coverage instincts and high-end testing potential.
• Mansoor Delane (LSU) — Physical defensive back with scheme versatility.

Cornerback remains the most likely direction at pick No. 13.

Offensive Tackle — Replacing a Franchise Pillar

The retirement of longtime offensive tackle Rob Havenstein creates a major void along the offensive line. Protecting quarterback Matthew Stafford remains essential to the Rams’ competitive window.

Key prospects under evaluation include:

• Francis Mauigoa (Miami) — Considered a plug-and-play right tackle option.
• Caleb Lomu (Utah) — Developmental upside with starting potential.

The Rams historically prioritize offensive line stability, making this position a significant draft focus.

Quarterback — Planning for the Future

Despite Stafford’s continued elite performance, long-term succession planning remains under consideration.

One potential target:

• Ty Simpson (Alabama) — Viewed as a possible heir-apparent selection if the Rams choose to secure future quarterback stability.

This decision ultimately depends on how aggressively the franchise chooses to extend its current championship window.

Coaching Changes Signal Offensive Evolution

The Rams’ offseason extends beyond player evaluation. The organization has undergone meaningful coaching adjustments that could reshape its offensive identity.

Key developments include:

• Nate Scheelhaase promoted to Offensive Coordinator — replacing Mike LaFleur, who departed for a head coaching role.
• Dave Ragone elevated to Co-Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach.
• Bubba Ventrone installed as Special Teams Coordinator.
• Sean McVay and Les Snead signing multi-year extensions, reinforcing organizational stability.

These moves signal a continuation of McVay’s offensive system while introducing fresh structural influence within the coaching staff.

Matthew Stafford Returns After MVP Season

The Rams’ championship aspirations remain anchored by quarterback Matthew Stafford, who confirmed his return for the 2026 season after earning 2025 NFL MVP honors.

His presence dramatically shapes the organization’s strategic timeline:

• The team remains firmly in win-now mode.
• Draft decisions prioritize immediate impact.
• Offensive protection becomes essential.
• Long-term quarterback planning must balance current contention.

Stafford’s leadership keeps the Rams firmly in the NFC’s elite tier.

Roster Moves and Financial Flexibility

The Rams enter the 2026 offseason with roughly $44 million in salary cap space, providing flexibility for free agency and roster adjustments.

Key roster developments include:

• Offensive lineman David Quessenberry re-signed.
• Safety Quentin Lake secured with a three-year extension.
• Fifteen reserve/future contracts executed, including running back Kyle Monangai and receiver Brennan Presley.
• Havenstein’s retirement opening a critical offensive line vacancy.

Financial maneuvering — including potential contract restructures — could unlock even greater spending capacity.

The Road Ahead: A Brutal 2026 Schedule

The Rams finished the 2025 season at 12–5, placing second in the NFC West behind the Seattle Seahawks. That finish produces one of the league’s more challenging 2026 schedules.

Key developments include:

• A season-opening international matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia.
• Matchups against second-place finishers from other divisions, including the Packers, Buccaneers, and Bills.
• A projected three-team battle in the NFC West between the Rams, Seahawks, and 49ers.
• A schedule featuring nine opponents who made the 2025 playoffs.

The path to contention will be demanding from the outset.

Opponents and Rivalries Define the Season

The Rams will host nine games and play eight on the road under the 17-game structure. Major matchups include:

Home Opponents

• Arizona Cardinals
• San Francisco 49ers (international game)
• Seattle Seahawks
• Dallas Cowboys
• New York Giants
• Kansas City Chiefs
• Los Angeles Chargers
• Green Bay Packers
• Buffalo Bills

Away Opponents

• Arizona Cardinals
• San Francisco 49ers
• Seattle Seahawks
• Philadelphia Eagles
• Washington Commanders
• Denver Broncos
• Las Vegas Raiders
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The schedule underscores the intensity of the Rams’ competitive window.

Why the Combine Still Matters — Even Without Attendance

Despite their absence in Indianapolis, the Rams remain deeply engaged in combine outcomes. Medical reports, athletic testing, interviews, and measurable data feed directly into the organization’s evaluation system.

For a team with clearly defined needs and premium draft capital, every data point shapes roster construction.

The Rams are not ignoring the combine. They are redefining how to use it.

The Rams’ Identity Remains Clear

The 2026 offseason reveals a franchise that operates with calculated confidence:

• They trust their evaluation process.
• They challenge league conventions.
• They build aggressively.
• They prioritize long-term competitive windows without sacrificing present success.

While other teams chase headlines during combine week, the Rams quietly assemble the next phase of their roster — methodically, privately, and strategically.

The result is a franchise that consistently shapes its own path rather than following the league’s template.

And as the draft approaches, the Rams once again position themselves exactly where they prefer to be — unpredictable, prepared, and built for another run.

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Today at the Sunset Entertainment & Media Companies

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‘Matthew Stafford is not retiring This year’ – Donald Edward Lichterman.

Let’s clear the noise out yet again right now in writing.

‘Matthew Stafford is not retiring This year’ – Donald Edward Lichterman.

Not this year or anytime soon. Not quietly. Not “we’ll see how he feels.” Not after the season he just delivered and not after dragging this roster within one game of the Super Bowl. The league can keep pretending the conversation is delicate, and the coaching staff can stay diplomatic all they want — but from a football standpoint, there is nothing ambiguous here.

Stafford is your quarterback in 2026. Full stop!

Oh and did I mention that he won the MVP this season?

The entire direction of this offseason, the draft, and the coaching rebuild only makes sense if the Rams treat this as what it truly is: a short-window, all-in championship push built around an elite veteran quarterback who just produced one of the best seasons of his career.

Following the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX victory earlier this week, the 2026 NFL draft order is set. The Rams hold two first-round selections (No. 13 and No. 29) and are widely expected to use this capital to address a secondary that “sucks ass” and a right tackle vacancy following Rob Havenstein’s retirement.

My Round 1 Breakdown and FYI, I am not adding images of projected players since so much can change in two months. However, this is where I am at today in writing which is still angry BTW:

Pick Prospect Pos School Analysis

No. 13 Jermod McCoy CB Tennessee: A “pedigree” pick to overhaul the secondary. Despite a 2025 ACL injury, his 2024 tape is elite.

Alt 13 Spencer Fano OT Utah: Ranked as a top-two OT by Mel Kiper. He is viewed as the “most pro-ready” tackle to replace Havenstein.

No. 29 Colton Hood CB Tennessee: A “complete player” who excelled at the Senior Bowl. This would give the Rams a “double-dip” in the secondary.

Alt 29 Monroe Freeling OT Georgia: A “major riser” with ideal size (6’7”) who could start at left or right tackle.

Strategic Trends for 2026

• The “Coach Hunter” Connection: The Rams’ expected hiring of Michael Hunter from Tennessee has fueled rumors of a “Vols-to-Rams” pipeline for CBs Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood.
• Matthew Stafford’s Successor: While Stafford is returning, mock drafts now project the Rams taking a “mid-round developmental” QB. Drew Allar (Penn State) is a frequent target at No. 93 to learn under Stafford for a year.
• Right Tackle Pivot: While some analysts suggest Warren McClendon is the internal heir, mock drafts increasingly favor early-round talent like Spencer Fano or Gennings Dunker to ensure protection for the 38-year-old Stafford.
• Defensive Versatility: At No. 29, the Rams are also linked to Ahkeem Mesidor (Miami), a “powerful” edge rusher who can slide inside to help if the team cannot pay upcoming free agents like Byron Young.

And after watching what Seattle’s defense turned into down the stretch — and how that unit ultimately helped carry the Seahawks to a Super Bowl LX title — the blueprint for the Rams could not be clearer.

This team needs defense.
This team needs corners.
This team needs protection up front.

Everything else is secondary right now and honestly, we can score great talent in that regard in the Draft. That way if something comes up on Trade Block, we can attain above the basic need today.

The Rams officially enter the 2026 offseason coming off a deep playoff run that ended in the NFC Championship Game against Seattle, and the front office now controls one of the most valuable draft positions in the entire league: two first-round picks. Let alone one early pick.

That kind of capital is not for luxury selections. It is for roster surgery.

And the surgery needs to start in the secondary.

The 2026 NFL Draft order is set, and the Rams hold picks No. 13 and No. 29 overall. For a team that believes — correctly — that it can win immediately, those two selections may in part define the remainder of the Stafford era.

FYI, the 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place from Thursday, April 23, to Saturday, April 25, 2026. For the first time ever, the event will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with the main stage and Draft Theater located on the North Shore near Acrisure Stadium.

2026 NFL Draft Schedule

• Thursday, April 23: Round 1 (Starts at 8 p.m. ET).
• Friday, April 24: Rounds 2-3 (Starts at 7 p.m. ET).
• Saturday, April 25: Rounds 4-7 (Starts at 12 p.m. ET).

Official First-Round Draft Order

The draft order was finalized following the Seattle Seahawks’ 29–13 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. Four teams—the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, and Jacksonville Jaguars—do not currently own a first-round pick due to prior trades.

Pick Team Notes
1 Las Vegas Raiders Finished 3-14; holds pick via tiebreaker.
2 New York Jets Holds two picks in the top 16.
3 Arizona Cardinals
4 Tennessee Titans
5 New York Giants
6 Cleveland Browns
7 Washington Commanders
8 New Orleans Saints
9 Kansas City Chiefs
10 Cincinnati Bengals
11 Miami Dolphins
12 Dallas Cowboys
13 Los Angeles Rams Acquired from Atlanta Falcons.
14 Baltimore Ravens
15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
16 New York Jets Acquired from Indianapolis Colts.
17 Detroit Lions
18 Minnesota Vikings
19 Carolina Panthers
20 Dallas Cowboys Acquired from Green Bay Packers (Micah Parsons trade).
21 Pittsburgh Steelers Host team for the draft.
22 Los Angeles Chargers
23 Philadelphia Eagles
24 Cleveland Browns Acquired from Jacksonville Jaguars.
25 Chicago Bears
26 Buffalo Bills
27 San Francisco 49ers
28 Houston Texans
29 Los Angeles Rams Team’s original pick.
30 Denver Broncos AFC runner-up.
31 New England Patriots Super Bowl LX runner-up.
32 Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX Champions.

Key Rule Changes and Events

• Draft Timing: For 2026, the time between first-round selections has been shortened from 10 minutes to eight minutes. This is the first timing adjustment for the draft since 2008.
• Draft Experience: A free fan festival, the NFL Draft Experience, will be held at Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh. Fans must register through the NFL OnePass app to attend.
• Draft Order Tiebreakers: The first tiebreaker for teams with the same record is strength of schedule; the team with the easier schedule receives the higher pick. For subsequent rounds, teams with identical records will rotate positions.

The defensive backfield simply did not hold up consistently in 2025. Injuries, depth issues, and unreliable coverage turned too many late-season games into survival drills. It is evident that we peaked in Week 10 this year and again, the tape does not lie. The Rams were forced to scheme around coverage problems instead of dictating to opposing quarterbacks.

That cannot continue.

At No. 13 overall, one of the cleanest fits on the board is Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy. Even with the ACL injury he suffered in 2025, his 2024 film remains elite. The ball skills, the movement traits, the confidence at the catch point — this is exactly the type of high-ceiling, tone-setting defensive back that changes how a coordinator calls games.

If the Rams want a pedigree player to anchor the secondary for the next five years, this is the type of swing you take.

However, there is another reality sitting directly beside that pick.

Rob Havenstein is officially gone which is a shame.

His retirement officially closes one of the longest and most stable chapters on the Rams’ offensive line. Eleven seasons. One hundred sixty-one starts. A Super Bowl Championship ring. And now a very real hole at right tackle protecting a quarterback who will turn 38 during the 2026 season.

That is not an optional fix.

OMG. I’m shaking my head over that so-called D.J. Humphries experiment. Calling it a “debacle” is an understatement for most Rams aficionados. I guess enough time has passed since the last loss that I can officially talk about the Rams again.

The frustration with Humphries this season boiled down to a few major issues that made his time in LA particularly rough:

• The “Turnstile” Effect: Signed as veteran insurance after his long stint with the Arizona Cardinals, Humphries looked like he had “lost a step” (or three). He struggled immensely with speed rushers, leading to several critical sacks on Matthew Stafford that stalled drives in big games.
• The Penalty Problem: When he couldn’t keep up physically, he often resorted to holding let alone trying to start before the play started. He became a magnet for yellow flags at the worst possible times—negating big gains and putting the offense in “1st and 20” holes they couldn’t dig out of.
• Health and Age: Coming off a major ACL injury from his final year in Arizona, the 32-year-old never regained the lateral quickness needed for Sean McVay’s zone-blocking scheme.
• The “Bench” Narrative: Because the Rams were paying him to be a reliable veteran presence while younger guys were injured, his lack of production was magnified. Fans and analysts frequently pointed to him as a weak link that nearly derailed the Rams’ mid-season momentum.

With Rob Havenstein now retired and Warren McClendon Jr. taking over, the Rams are widely expected to let Humphries walk in free agency this spring rather than re-signing him.

Therefore, Utah tackle Spencer Fano is widely viewed as one of the most pro-ready offensive linemen in this entire class. He is technically sound, physically mature, and already comfortable in pass protection against NFL-caliber edge rushers. If the Rams decide the safest way to protect their franchise quarterback is to stabilize the line immediately, Fano becomes a very serious option at No. 13.

The second first-round pick at No. 29 gives Los Angeles the flexibility most contenders never get.

This is where the “double-dip” at corner becomes very realistic.

Tennessee’s Colton Hood has been one of the biggest winners of the pre-draft cycle. His Senior Bowl performance showcased a complete defensive back who can play man, zone, and handle physical receivers. Pairing Hood with McCoy would allow the Rams to rebuild their coverage group in one single night.

That is how you fix a unit.

Not with bargain veterans.
Not with mid-round projects.
With premium talent.

There is also an offensive line alternative in that range. Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling continues to rise, and his 6-foot-7 frame combined with his positional flexibility makes him attractive as a potential right tackle or long-term swing option across the line.

The Rams are not rebuilding. They are reinforcing. Remember that fact today!

One emerging storyline around the league is the growing “Vols-to-Rams” connection. The expected addition of Michael Hunter from the University of Tennessee to coach the defensive backs has only strengthened the belief that the front office is heavily tuned into that program’s pipeline. That connection could very well factor into how aggressively the Rams pursue McCoy and Hood.

The staff changes in general point directly toward a franchise preparing for a serious championship run.

Sean McVay’s coaching tree continues to be raided, and the Rams have responded by stacking experience back onto the staff. Kliff Kingsbury joins the offensive side in a senior role, providing an additional layer of quarterback development and offensive design following Mike LaFleur’s departure to Arizona.

Special teams, which quietly hurt the Rams more than most people want to admit in 2025 (I am not talking about Kickers), finally received a major upgrade with the hiring of Bubba Ventrone. Field position and discipline matter in January football. The Rams learned that the hard way.

And defensively, the anticipated hiring of Michael Hunter signals a direct attempt to stabilize and modernize the secondary room — a group that simply did not survive the grind of last season intact.

This is not cosmetic.

This is structural.

At the top of the organization, stability remains intact. Both McVay and general manager Les Snead signed multi-year extensions earlier this month, eliminating any outside speculation about philosophical shifts. The direction is locked in.

Win now.

That message only became louder when Stafford officially put the retirement chatter to rest while accepting the NFL’s MVP award on February 5.

The numbers alone justify it.

4,707 passing yards.
46 touchdowns.
An offense that ranked among the most explosive units in the league.

Stafford will earn $40 million in 2026, and that salary becomes fully guaranteed on March 15. League insiders already expect discussions around a short-term contract adjustment to begin this spring. The market has moved. Stafford has proven — again — that he still belongs at the top of it.

Which brings us back to the real conversation the Rams should be having.

Who is protecting him?

And who is covering on the back end when the Rams are forced to throw with the lead?

The quarterback of the future discussion is already quietly being handled. Multiple projections have the Rams targeting a mid-round developmental passer — with Penn State’s Drew Allar frequently linked around pick No. 93 — to sit behind Stafford for a season.

That makes sense.

What does not make sense is using premium capital to chase a replacement when your current quarterback just won league MVP.

The priority is protection and coverage.

The other layer of roster pressure sits on the edge of the defense. With future contract questions surrounding players like Byron Young, the Rams could also look to add a versatile front defender late in the first round. Miami edge rusher Ahkeem Mesidor fits that mold perfectly — powerful at the point of attack and capable of sliding inside on passing downs. That flexibility matters when cap decisions are looming.

The Rams Are Also Taking the Rivalry Global — and the 49ers Are Coming With Them

One final note that should not be overlooked in the context of this franchise’s trajectory: the Rams will be the designated team for the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in Australia in 2026, scheduled for Melbourne.

We lose a so-called home game, but let’s be real — almost every regular-season game in Los Angeles is filled with fans from other cities traveling in, so who really cares (even though 49ers games do sell a lot of tickets).

And LA fans, please don’t take offense — I grew up watching the Rams play at the LA Coliseum, where games hardly ever sold out. That’s why it was always so hard to watch them on TV as a kid, since back then only sold-out games were broadcast.

Anyway, I love being able to play there.

Global stage.
International spotlight.
A franchise that now represents the league beyond North America.
And, being the first to do it.

That is why this week’s Rams news isn’t about a depth chart tweak or a midweek injury report and that boring stuff that I had to finally get out of my head (which for me is to write about it or broadcast it on the radio). It’s about the Los Angeles Rams officially stepping onto the biggest international stage the franchise has ever seen — and doing it against the one opponent that always makes everything louder.

The Rams will host the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in Australia in 2026, and the setting could not be more massive. Speaking of the Coliseum today, the game will be played at the legendary Melbourne Cricket Ground, a venue that regularly holds crowds well north of 90,000 and sits at the heart of Australian sport.

From a Rams perspective, this is not just another “international game.”
This is a statement game.
This is a positioning move.
This is the league formally placing the Rams at the center of its next global expansion push.

Just likewe did in Mexico! I mean Arizona. Too Soon?

Jokes aside, the opponent is no accident.

If the NFL wanted to introduce Australian fans to real NFC West football culture — not a neutral, low-stakes matchup — it could not have picked a better pairing than Rams versus 49ers.

That rivalry travels, and it is truly age-old. I was actually threatened at Candlestick Park because of my resting-bitch-face and because I was a Rams fan who had to remind one 49ers fan how the Rams dominated that series in the 1970s and 1980s, after he claimed the Niners “owned” the Rams during the 1990s.

It carries history, bitterness, playoff consequences, and fan bases that already follow the league aggressively across borders.

Now it’s going truly global.

The Rams will serve as the home team for the matchup, reinforcing the organization’s role as one of the league’s designated international growth franchises. In doing this article, I find out that the Los Angeles currently holds official marketing rights in Australia under the NFL’s Global Markets Program, a long-term initiative designed to allow teams to build year-round relationships with international fans, sponsors, and media partners.

This isn’t a one-off event.

It’s part of a multi-year commitment to the region.

The league confirmed the Australia game will be included in a record-setting slate of nine international games scheduled for the 2026 season — the largest global schedule in NFL history.

For the Rams, that matters more than the headline itself.

Because this isn’t simply about exporting a game.

It’s about exporting the brand.

The Rams have quietly become one of the NFL’s most internationally aggressive organizations, and this matchup is the natural extension of that strategy. I assume because there hardly any home town fans, why not go abroad? From digital content, community engagement, local partnerships, and fan outreach programs, the Rams have spent multiple seasons laying the groundwork in Australia.

I kid about the Rams doing this for the money first and the history-driven brand second — but now comes the payoff.

The venue alone makes this event historic.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground is one of the most iconic sporting arenas on the planet. It has hosted Olympic Games, Cricket World Cups, Australian rules football grand finals, and international soccer showcases. An NFL regular-season game inside the MCG immediately elevates the league’s presence in the region in a way a smaller stadium simply could not.

For American audiences, the scheduling adds another fascinating layer.

Because of the time difference between Melbourne and the United States, the game is expected to be played as a daytime kickoff in Australia while serving as a prime-time television window back home. That creates a rare global broadcast window where live NFL football can dominate two continents in a single broadcast cycle.

From a league operations standpoint, this is exactly what international expansion is supposed to look like.

From a Rams standpoint, it places the franchise directly at the center of that growth.

But the football side of this announcement should not get lost.

This is not a neutral site exhibition.

This is a divisional game.

Every tiebreaker still counts.
Every playoff scenario still applies.
Every injury risk and travel complication still matters.

The Rams are technically the home team — but they will be playing a rival who knows them as well as any opponent in the league, on the other side of the world, in an environment no NFL roster has ever experienced during the regular season.

There is no template for this.

There is no previous Australia regular-season game to study.

Both teams will be navigating unfamiliar logistics, international recovery schedules, media obligations, and travel fatigue. The competitive edge will belong to whichever organization handles preparation better — not just on the field, but behind the scenes.

And that is where this announcement quietly reinforces something important about the current Rams organization.

This franchise is built for complexity.

Between recent international games in Europe, compressed travel windows, and high-profile media demands, the Rams have already proven they can manage high-visibility environments without allowing operational distractions to bleed into performance.

That matters in a setting like Melbourne.

This is not just a long flight.
This is a full international roadshow.

For the 49ers, it is a rivalry game in unfamiliar territory.

For the Rams, it is a home game in a new market they are actively trying to own.

That distinction matters.

The Global Markets Program exists to give teams true local relevance abroad, not just logo placement. The Rams’ presence in Australia — through youth initiatives, fan events, and regional marketing — now converts directly into competitive and commercial leverage.

This game becomes a centerpiece of that strategy.

And let’s be honest — the optics are powerful.

A West Coast rivalry, played in the Southern Hemisphere, inside one of the world’s most recognizable stadiums, at a time when the league is openly accelerating international growth.

If you are building a global identity for a franchise, this is how you do it.

For Rams fans, there is another layer of pride here as well.

The NFL did not assign this responsibility randomly.

The league selected the Rams to represent its brand in Australia because the organization already fits the global profile the league wants to showcase — modern facilities, recognizable star power, media polish, and a front office that understands how to operate on an international scale.

This is organizational trust.

This is strategic positioning.

And this is opportunity.

Because once you become the anchor franchise in a new market, the benefits extend well beyond a single game. International sponsorships, long-term fan development, and future scheduling considerations all grow out of moments like this.

From a competitive standpoint, the Rams will need to treat this game like any other high-leverage divisional matchup — because that is exactly what it is. But from a franchise standpoint, the 2026 Australia game is far bigger than one Sunday on the schedule.

It is the Rams planting their flag in a new continent.

And doing it against the 49ers — of all teams — only makes the moment sharper.

On The Rampage, this one isn’t just about where the Rams will play.

It’s about where the Rams are headed.

That moment only matters if the product on the field matches the ambition off it.

This offseason is not about marketing. It is about margins.

It is about turning a flawed secondary into a weapon.
It is about replacing a franchise right tackle without letting the offense regress.
It is about giving an MVP quarterback one more properly built runway.

Matthew Stafford is not walking away.

The Rams shouldn’t walk away from what this moment demands either.

The original Post on Substack.