The 2016 Los Angeles Rams were a team in transition, as they returned to Los Angeles after a 21-year absence, with Jeff Fisher entering his fifth season as head coach. The 2016 season was marked by significant changes, but it was also a disappointing year, as the Rams finished with a 4-12 record. The team struggled to find consistency, particularly on offense, and ultimately, Jeff Fisher was fired before the season’s end.
Here’s a breakdown of the 2016 Los Angeles Rams:
1. Relocation to Los Angeles
- After 21 years in St. Louis, the Rams returned to Los Angeles in 2016. The team’s relocation was a significant part of the season, both in terms of logistics and public relations, but it didn’t translate into immediate on-field success.
- The Rams played their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the 2016 season while awaiting the completion of their new stadium, which would eventually become SoFi Stadium in 2020.
2. Head Coach: Jeff Fisher
- Jeff Fisher entered the season with high expectations but was fired after a 4-9 start to the season. Fisher’s tenure in Los Angeles was disappointing, as he struggled to improve on his lackluster record from the previous years.
- Under Fisher, the team struggled with offensive inefficiency, poor quarterback play, and lack of consistency, and it was clear that a change was needed.
- After Fisher’s dismissal, John Fassel took over as interim head coach for the final three games of the season, but the team didn’t show much improvement.
3. Quarterback Situation:
- Jared Goff, the 1st overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, started the season on the bench, with Case Keenum beginning as the starter. However, after a few weeks, Goff was named the starting quarterback, taking over from Keenum in Week 11.
- Case Keenum had a mediocre start to the season, throwing for 1,152 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 9 games.
- Jared Goff, the rookie, struggled significantly when he took over. He threw for 1,089 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions in 7 starts, showing that he still had a long way to go in his development.
- Goff had trouble adjusting to the NFL game and showed poor accuracy and decision-making. The Rams’ offense, as a whole, was very limited, and Goff’s struggles played a major role in the team’s lack of success.
4. Offense:
- The Rams’ offense in 2016 was one of the worst in the league, finishing 32nd in total offense. They struggled with virtually every aspect of their attack, from the passing game to the offensive line to play-calling.
- Todd Gurley, who had been a star in 2015, had a significant drop-off in performance. He rushed for only 885 yards and 6 touchdowns, and his yards per carry dropped to 3.2 (compared to 4.8 in 2015). The Rams’ offensive line was part of the problem, but Gurley was also unable to create explosive plays like he had the previous year.
- The Rams also lacked reliable wide receivers. Kenny Britt was the team’s top option with 1,002 yards and 5 touchdowns, but the receiving corps as a whole was underwhelming, and the passing game was ineffective overall.
- The offensive line struggled mightily, with issues in both run blocking and pass protection. The lack of protection hurt both Keenum and Goff, preventing them from establishing any rhythm on offense.
5. Defense:
- The Rams’ defense remained a strength, ranking 12th overall in total defense, but they were often put in difficult situations by the poor performance of the offense.
- Aaron Donald continued to be a force on the defensive line, recording 8 sacks and establishing himself as one of the NFL’s elite defensive tackles.
- Robert Quinn had a solid season, recording 8 sacks as well, and the Rams’ pass rush was effective, totaling 48 sacks for the season.
- Trumaine Johnson, E.J. Gaines, and Mark Barron were solid contributors in the secondary, and Alec Ogletree led the team with 171 tackles at linebacker.
- Despite the defense being solid, it wasn’t enough to compensate for the offensive struggles. The Rams were often put in bad positions due to turnovers and the offense’s inability to sustain drives.
6. Special Teams:
- Johnny Hekker, the punter, continued to be one of the best in the league, earning All-Pro honors for his role in pinning teams deep in their own territory. Hekker’s ability to flip the field was a major asset for the Rams.
- Greg Zuerlein, the kicker, was solid as well, making 28 of 31 field goals. However, with the offense unable to score touchdowns consistently, the Rams often relied on field goals rather than sustained drives.
7. Key Games:
- Win over the Seattle Seahawks (Week 2): The Rams managed to pull off a shocking 9-3 win over the NFC West champion Seattle Seahawks in Week 2. The defense was the key to the victory, limiting the Seahawks to just three points.
- Loss to the Miami Dolphins (Week 11): A loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 11 marked a low point for the Rams. After this defeat, they made the switch to Jared Goff as the starting quarterback.
- Loss to the New Orleans Saints (Week 12): Goff’s first start came in a 49-21 loss to the New Orleans Saints, in which the rookie quarterback struggled and showed the challenges he would face during his first year.
8. Draft and Roster Moves:
- The Rams’ most significant move was selecting Jared Goff with the 1st overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. While Goff’s first season was rocky, the team hoped that he would develop into their franchise quarterback.
- They also selected Tyler Higbee (TE) and Pharoh Cooper (WR), but both players had limited contributions in their rookie seasons.
9. Overall Outlook:
- The 2016 Los Angeles Rams were a team in transition with major questions at quarterback and on offense. Despite having a strong defense, they were ultimately held back by their inability to score points and sustain offensive drives.
- The firing of Jeff Fisher after the Rams’ disappointing start was seen as necessary for the future of the franchise. The hope was that a new coaching staff could help develop Jared Goff and rebuild the offense.
- With a 4-12 record, the Rams were one of the worst teams in the NFC, and their struggles in their return to Los Angeles set the stage for a major overhaul in 2017.
The 2016 Los Angeles Rams were a team in turmoil. While their defense was solid and the potential of Jared Goff was evident, their offensive inefficiency, lack of a stable quarterback, and overall coaching issues led to another disappointing season. The firing of Jeff Fisher was the first step in a new direction, and the franchise hoped that a change in leadership would lead to brighter days ahead. The team had the pieces to be competitive, but they needed significant improvements on offense to become a playoff contender.
