News - On The Rampage with Don Lichterman

Live Nuggets on JamFest: The Police & Friends – The Amnesty Human Rights Conspiracy Of Hope Concert (June – 1986)

24 February 2026

by Don Lichterman Don Lichterman

In the summer of 1986, a short run of concerts reshaped the way music, activism, and mass media could intersect. The Conspiracy of Hope tour was not simply a benefit series — it was a statement, a nationwide broadcast, and a rallying cry for human rights, created in celebration of Amnesty International’s 25th anniversary. Over six massive shows in June of that year, some of the world’s most influential artists gathered not to promote albums or tours, but to use their voices for something larger.

Tonight, that history returns to the airwaves as Live Nuggets Radio presents a very special handpicked full-concert broadcast, airing in its entirety every Tuesday night at 9PM EST — spotlighting one of the most powerful live moments of the entire Conspiracy of Hope run.

The Radical Jesus vs. Christian Nationalism: Power, Politics, and the Seductive Trap of Empire

24 February 2026

by Don Lichterman Don Lichterman Sunset Entertainment & Media

“Corporations Are People, My Friend”

Sgt. Brad “Iceman” Colbert: “I was one of those unfortunates adopted by upper middle-class professionals and nurtured in an environment of learning, art and a socio-religious culture steeped in more than 2000 years of Talmudic tradition. Not everyone is lucky enough to have been raised in a whiskey tango trailer park…”

There’s something darkly funny about learning theology from comedians, prestige television, war dramas, and a paranoid FBI agent chasing demons.

The closest I got to Jesus was crawling into one of the traditional birth grotto sites in Bethlehem. What I entered was the Grotto of the Nativity beneath the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The physical act of me crawling or bowing low is not accidental there. It is built into the architecture.

Grotto of the Nativity « See The Holy Land

To enter the church itself, every visitor must pass through what is known as the Door of Humility. The stone doorway stands roughly four feet high. It was reduced in size centuries ago to prevent looters from riding in on horseback, but today it forces every pilgrim, tourist, skeptic, and believer alike to bend down. No one walks in upright. Everyone bows.

Once inside the ancient basilica, you descend narrow stone stairs into the subterranean cave believed by many Christians to mark the birthplace of Jesus.

Fox Mulder: “You know, they say when you talk to God it’s prayer, but when God talks to you, it’s schizophrenia.”

The grotto itself is small, roughly twelve meters long and three meters wide. To reach the fourteen-point silver star set beneath a marble altar marking the traditional site of the birth, visitors kneel or crouch low. You do not stand tall there. You press close to stone. You wait your turn. You lower yourself.

That embodied humility stays with you. You cannot muscle your way in. You cannot posture. The space removes your height.

That contrast is the story.

This is not an attack on faith.

It is an examination of power.

If you want to understand modern America, from Christian nationalism to culture wars to the moral branding of billionaires, you have to examine the distance between the teachings attributed to Jesus of Nazareth and the political systems that invoke him.

Fox Mulder: “Religion has masqueraded as the paranormal since the dawn of time to justify some of the most horrible acts in history.”

The earliest Jesus movement was not aligned with state authority. It emerged in Roman-occupied Judea among the poor, colonized, and socially marginal. Jesus was a Jewish teacher operating out of Galilee, a working-class region far from imperial prestige. The core themes attributed to him were direct and destabilizing: the poor come first, the meek inherit, love your enemies, blessed are the peacemakers.

According to the gospels, he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Roman officials entered cities on war horses surrounded by soldiers and banners. One image projected domination. The other projected humility. Within days, he was arrested and executed by the state.

That image matters. A teacher proclaiming a kingdom not of Caesar, entering the city without an army, then being killed by imperial authority. It is difficult to reconcile that narrative with modern movements that equate Christianity with state control.

Within a few centuries, however, Christianity moved from persecuted sect to legalized and eventually imperial religion under Constantine. Once the faith fused with state machinery, its moral vocabulary could be mobilized for conquest. That shift altered history.

Fox Mulder: “He may well have His reasons but He seems to use a lot of psychotics to carry out His job orders.”

Christianity has been invoked to justify the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, the Doctrine of Discovery, European colonization, chattel slavery in the Americas, and segregationist theology. The cross has stood beside empire more than once.

When Christopher Columbus brutalized the Taíno people in the Caribbean, the violence unfolded under Christian banners. Yet within that same religious framework emerged figures such as Bartolomé de las Casas, who condemned Spanish atrocities and argued for Indigenous rights.

From the Shadows of History: Taino at the Vatican | NMAI Magazine

In the American South, pro-slavery theologians quoted scripture to defend human bondage. At the same time, abolitionists such as Frederick Douglass, alongside Quakers and Harriet Tubman, grounded their resistance in biblical moral claims.

During the rise of Nazism, Adolf Hitler appropriated Christian symbolism for nationalist purposes, while Dietrich Bonhoeffer resisted in the name of Christ and paid with his life.

Every time Christianity has fused with authoritarian power, resistance has also emerged from within Christianity itself. That pattern repeats because the source texts contain internal tension. They can be read as tools of empire or as indictments of empire.

One of the clearest passages often cited in this debate appears in Matthew 25:31 to 46, sometimes called the judgment of nations. The standard presented there is not doctrinal purity or national strength. It is simple and concrete. Feed the hungry. Clothe the naked. Care for the sick. Visit prisoners. Welcome the stranger.

There is no reference to wealth accumulation as proof of blessing.

There is no endorsement of punishing outsiders.

The moral test is how the vulnerable are treated.

That framework creates friction in a political culture that often equates strength with dominance. In contemporary America, some movements identify themselves as defenders of Christian values while pursuing policies focused on border enforcement, punitive criminal justice, deregulation that benefits concentrated wealth, and cultural control through legislation.

Supporters argue that such policies preserve order, protect religious freedom, and defend traditional values. Critics argue that these agendas conflict with the ethical priorities attributed to Jesus, particularly concerning immigrants, the poor, and prisoners. The disagreement is not merely theological. It is political and sociological.

Commentator and author John Fugelsang has spoken on Morning Joe that the teachings of Jesus read as radically countercultural when compared with modern strongman politics. Whether one agrees with him or not, the contrast he highlights is real. Strongman politics emphasizes order, loyalty, and dominance. The gospel narratives emphasize humility, enemy love, and solidarity with the marginalized.

The attraction of power is not uniquely modern. Political authority offers stability, identity, and a sense of moral clarity. When faith becomes intertwined with that authority, it can supply divine validation for policy preferences. For many believers, political alignment feels like moral responsibility. For others, it feels like a betrayal of the faith’s core teachings.

Another tension emerges around wealth. Prosperity theology, popular in some American churches, teaches that material success reflects divine favor. Yet the New Testament contains repeated warnings about the spiritual dangers of wealth. The famous line about a camel passing through the eye of a needle underscores that tension. The gap between those warnings and the celebration of affluence in certain religious circles fuels ongoing debate about what Christianity actually demands.

Throughout history, reform movements have arisen within Christianity to challenge its alignment with coercive power. Francis of Assisi rejected violence during the Crusades and pursued peace. Abolitionists invoked scripture against slaveholders. Civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. framed desegregation not as rebellion against Christianity but as fidelity to its moral vision.

The tension that began with a man entering a city on a donkey while an empire ruled from horseback has not disappeared. It has merely changed form. Whether one sees Jesus as divine, human, mythic, or symbolic, the ethical framework associated with his name continues to collide with political authority.

And perhaps that is why the memory of crawling into that grotto matters.

The architecture forces humility. The politics surrounding his name often do not.

Today at the Sunset Entertainment & Media Companies

Sunset

Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Enter Final 48 Hours: Championship Showdowns, Historic Moments, and a Global Closing Celebration Streaming on Sunset

Live Jam

Live From The Vault Radio Show on Live Jam — Top 50 Live Albums of All Time, as ranked by the writers at Variety is #2 on the list — James Brown’s Live at the Apollo

Sunset

The Traitors US Season 4 on Sunset Heads Toward a High-Stakes Finale: Strategy, Betrayal, and Streaming Power Converge in 2026’s Biggest Reality Competition Event

Sustainable Action Now

SafariLIVE Sunset & Sunrise, Yellowstone, The American Bison, Two Years Free, #FloraToFELIDA, Carceral Humanist, Recipes, Death Penalty Focus, 48,000 Dogs & More!

Explore New Jersey Sunset Daily News

New Jersey Statewide Emergency and Travel Bans, USA’s Olympic Gold Victory, Jack Hughes’ Historic Goal, Economic Changes, NFL Combine & More

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The Vending Lot Unveils the Ultimate James Bond 007 Collection and Expands Its Global Entertainment Merch Empire Across Film, Music, Broadway, and Pop Culture

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Olympic Hockey Fever Peaks This Weekend and Inside the Pro Merch World Hockey Collection Powering the Global Rivalry

Nature’s Sunset

Nature’s Sunset Home Goods Collections: Sustainable Living, Elevated Style, and the Art of Everyday Comfort

On The Rampage

Inside the Los Angeles Rams’ Unconventional Combine Strategy, 2026 Draft Vision, and the Ruthless Road Ahead

Sunset Special Markets (SSM)

SSM’s Party Series: A Special-Markets Blueprint for Multi-Format Hits, Club Rotation, and Fan-Driven Chart Power

Sunset Music

AI, Royalty Reform, and Legislative Showdowns Reshape the Future of Music Rights in 2026 – A Sunset Music Global Music Advocacy Report!

Sunset Recordings

Calculated Chaos and Cultural Timing: Federal Moguls’ “Vicarious” Takes Center Stage at Sunset

JamFest

JamFest Presents: Harry Connick Jr. at Newport 2004, The Police & Friends’ Amnesty Conspiracy of Hope, New Grass Radio, and Lotus’ Rise of the Anglerfish — We Will Make Your Day Special — A Memory of a Lifetime

The Improv Cafe

Chicago Selected for International Jazz Day 2026, Landmark Announcements Reshape the Global Jazz Landscape, and Live Jazz Momentum Surges Worldwide — The Improv Cafe’ Feature Report

MetalMania Live

Metallica’s 40-Year Legacy Roars On Tonight on MetalMania Live & The Global Live Heavy Metal Circuit Is Buzzing

Unplugged Live

Billy Idol & Steve Stevens: Turned On, Tuned In and Unplugged — A Rare Acoustic Tour Redefining a Rock Legacy

The Grateful Dead Live

Grateful Dead Live: Grateful Dead Forever — Bob Weir’s Enduring Legacy, Family, and the Spirit That Still Moves the Music

Tomorrowland Live

Tomorrowland Winter 2026 Timetable Released: The Ultimate Alpine EDM Experience Returns to Alpe d’Huez March 21–28 – Tomorrowland Live

Electric Daisy Carnival Live

Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas 2026 Charity Auction Now Open: Exclusive “Above the Electric Sky” Experiences, Backstage Access, and Rare Festival Moments Support Clark County Nonprofits – Electric Daisy Carnival Live – Listen Now!

Ultra Music Festival Live

Ultra Music Festival Live 2026: Ultra Worldwide Unveils Global Expansion Across South Africa, Australia, Peru, and Europe

SunsetHost

Global Cyber Threats Escalate as State-Backed Hackers, New Malware Campaigns, and AI-Driven Attacks Reshape the Security Landscape at SunsetHost

SafariLIVE Sunset & Sunrise, Yellowstone, The American Bison, Two Years Free, #FloraToFELIDA, Carceral Humanist, Recipes, Death Penalty Focus, 48,000 Dogs & More!

24 February 2026

by Don Lichterman Sustainable Action Now (SAN)

SafariLIVE Sunset & Sunrise, Yellowstone, The American Bison, Two Years Free, #FloraToFELIDA, Carceral Humanist, Recipes, Death Penalty Focus, 48,000 Dogs & More!

SUSTAINABLE ACTION NOW – WEEKLY NEWSLETTERWildlife. Justice. Food Systems. Rescue. Reform. Action. This week at SustainableActionNow.org, we covered urgent rescues, climate storytelling, criminal justice reform, wildlife protection, and a powerful lineup of plant-based recipes designed to fuel sustainable living from the inside out. Here’s your complete recap.

Wildlife & Conservation in Focus SafariLIVE Sunset […]

SUSTAINABLE ACTION NOW – WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Wildlife. Justice. Food Systems. Rescue. Reform. Action.

This week at SustainableActionNow.org, we covered urgent rescues, climate storytelling, criminal justice reform, wildlife protection, and a powerful lineup of plant-based recipes designed to fuel sustainable living from the inside out.

Here’s your complete recap.

Wildlife & Conservation in Focus

SafariLIVE Sunset & Sunrise – February 2026

Exclusive Ad-Free Wildlife Streams, Leopard Battles & Intimate Big Cat Encounters

This week, SAN spotlighted SafariLIVE’s powerful real-time conservation storytelling platform. From the February 24 ad-free member-exclusive Sunset safari to the unforgettable “Whisker Wind-Down” Sunrise stream, viewers witnessed leopards in territorial tension, elephants on the move, and lions in quiet, intimate moments of rest.

These immersive wildlife broadcasts are not entertainment — they are environmental education in action.

You Know His Yellowstone: Tom Murphy, the American Bison & a Climate Legacy

As climate urgency intensifies and public lands face mounting pressure, legendary wildlife photographer Tom Murphy has been honored with a U.S. postage stamp featuring his iconic American bison imagery.

This tribute bridges conservation history with cultural identity — reminding us that storytelling shapes public land protection.

Two Years Free: The Sudan Lions Rescue Anniversary

Two years ago, eleven lions faced near-certain tragedy amid armed conflict in Sudan. This week, we marked the anniversary of their rescue — a testament to global coordination, sanctuary ethics, and compassion in action.

Their story proves that rescue is not symbolic — it is operational.

Brown Bears & Hibernation: Inside the Winter Sanctuary Strategy

Winter inside SAN sanctuaries is not downtime — it is a carefully managed biological transition. Our in-depth feature explored how rescued brown bears are supported through hibernation with science-backed care, habitat management, and long-term welfare planning.

Conservation is seasonal — and strategic.

When the Rains Fall in Los Angeles…

As storms battered Los Angeles, a quieter crisis unfolded in the L.A. River. We highlighted the life-saving rescue work happening behind the scenes as animals become trapped in rising waters.

Infrastructure meets compassion in this urgent Rescue Network spotlight.

Sustainable Action Now’s Death Penalty Focus

The movement to end the death penalty is unfolding in real time — in courtrooms, governor’s offices, and communities across the country.

This week’s feature examined racial disparities, wrongful convictions, prosecutorial misconduct, and systemic inequity — and why sustainability includes sustaining human dignity.

Join Us: Death Penalty Focus Webinar – March 3 at Noon PT

We are urging advocates and community members to attend this critical conversation. Reform must go deeper than optics — it must dismantle structural harm.

Ending Animal Testing: 48,000 Dogs and Counting

More than 48,000 dogs — most of them beagles — are confined in U.S. laboratories each year. Monkeys continue to be shipped into biomedical research environments.

This is a scientific and moral reckoning.

We examined why the future of research must move toward humane, evidence-based alternatives.

Food Systems & Sustainable Recipes

Food is climate action. Food is cultural identity. Food is daily impact.

This week’s Recipes coverage delivered depth, variety, and practical tools.

Reclaiming Tradition Through Plant-Based Power

Derrika Denise’s Vegan Revival

Black vegan creator Derrika Denise recreated the dish that raised her — transforming generational comfort food into a plant-based legacy.

Food is memory. Sustainability is preservation.

Easy Pico de Gallo

Fresh. Oil-free. Authentic. Five ingredients, ten minutes, zero waste.

Read More & Get Recipe

Roasted Veggie Bowls with Lemon Tahini Sauce

Protein-packed, fiber-rich, meal-prep ready. Climate-conscious comfort food.

Read More & Get Recipe

Baked Falafel

Crispy, herb-loaded Mediterranean flavor without deep frying.

Read More & Get Recipe

Crispy Roasted Chickpeas

The golden, crunchy, high-protein snack that actually keeps you full.

Read More & Get Recipe

Spinach Banana Smoothie

Five minutes. One blender. Real greens without tasting them.

Read More & Get Recipe

Weekly Plant-Based Meal Plan #34

Five dinners. One prep session. Zero overwhelm.

Monday: Maple Dijon Roasted Veggie Bowls
Tuesday: Greek Orzo Salad
Wednesday: Sesame Ginger Tempeh Stir Fry
Thursday: Bang Bang Tofu Bowls
Friday: Simple Lentil Chili
Bonus: Crispy Chickpeas

A full week of nutrient-dense, budget-conscious meals designed to reduce waste and streamline prep.

This Week in Perspective

From sanctuary bears to Sudan lions.
From big cat conservation to systemic justice reform.
From laboratory ethics to climate-conscious cooking.

Sustainable Action Now continues to expand what sustainability truly means:

Protect wildlife.
Reform broken systems.
Nourish communities.
Elevate ethical leadership.
Turn awareness into action.

Thank you for being part of this movement.

Visit SustainableActionNow.org to explore every story, recipe, and rescue in full.

See you next week.

— Sustainable Action Now

Grateful Dead Live: Grateful Dead Forever — Bob Weir’s Enduring Legacy, Family, and the Spirit That Still Moves the Music

23 February 2026

by Don Lichterman The Grateful Dead Live

Few names in American music carry the cultural gravity of the Grateful Dead. More than a band, they became a living, improvisational organism

Source: Grateful Dead Live: Grateful Dead Forever — Bob Weir’s Enduring Legacy, Family, and the Spirit That Still Moves the Music

Tomorrowland Winter 2026 Timetable Released: The Ultimate Alpine EDM Experience Returns to Alpe d’Huez March 21–28 – Tomorrowland Live

23 February 2026

by Don Lichterman Tomorrowland Live

Tomorrowland Winter 2026 stands as one of the most ambitious electronic music events of the year.

Source: Tomorrowland Winter 2026 Timetable Released: The Ultimate Alpine EDM Experience Returns to Alpe d’Huez March 21–28

Billy Idol & Steve Stevens: Turned On, Tuned In and Unplugged — A Rare Acoustic Tour Redefining a Rock Legacy

23 February 2026

by Don Lichterman Unplugged Live

There are arena tours. There are greatest-hits tours. And then there are moments when an icon steps away from the wall of amplifiers, strips the songs down

Source: Billy Idol & Steve Stevens: Turned On, Tuned In and Unplugged — A Rare Acoustic Tour Redefining a Rock Legacy

Market Unplugged: Milwaukee’s Must-Experience Winter Acoustic Concert Series at Milwaukee Public Market

23 February 2026

by Don Lichterman Unplugged Live

Market Unplugged: Milwaukee’s Must-Experience Winter Acoustic Concert Series at Milwaukee Public Market

Source: Market Unplugged: Milwaukee’s Must-Experience Winter Acoustic Concert Series at Milwaukee Public Market

JamFest Presents: Harry Connick Jr. at Newport 2004, The Police & Friends’ Amnesty Conspiracy of Hope, New Grass Radio, and Lotus’ Rise of the Anglerfish — We Will Make Your Day Special — A Memory of a Lifetime

23 February 2026

by Don Lichterman JamFest

There are radio lineups — and then there are cultural events disguised as radio lineups.

Source: JamFest Presents: Harry Connick Jr. at Newport 2004, The Police & Friends’ Amnesty Conspiracy of Hope, New Grass Radio, and Lotus’ Rise of the Anglerfish — We Will Make Your Day Special — A Memory of a Lifetime

Inside the Los Angeles Rams’ Unconventional Combine Strategy, 2026 Draft Vision, and the Ruthless Road Ahead

23 February 2026

by Don Lichterman Don Lichterman Los Angeles Rams On The Rampage

On The Rampage February 23, 2026

2026 NFL Combine | NFL Combine Participants, Prospects, News, Video & Photos | NFL.com

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.