The 2023 Los Angeles Rams entered the season with a mixed outlook. After a disappointing 2022 campaign that saw them miss the playoffs, the Rams looked to rebound with some changes to the roster, including younger players and a renewed focus on building a future foundation. Here’s a breakdown of the 2023 season for the Rams:
Key Highlights:
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Regular Season Record:
- The Rams finished the regular season with a 5-12 record, similar to their 2022 struggles. They were unable to consistently put together wins, leading to another season of missed playoff contention.
- They again finished last in the NFC West, a division that saw the San Francisco 49ers dominate, and the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals both improve.
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Quarterback Play:
- Matthew Stafford (QB) remained the starting quarterback for the Rams, but his 2023 season was a mixed bag. While Stafford showed flashes of his Super Bowl-winning form, he continued to struggle with consistency and injuries, particularly lingering issues from 2022.
- Stafford ended the season with 3,300+ passing yards, around 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. His ability to lead the offense remained a work in progress, as the Rams had a young and shifting offensive line that struggled to provide consistent protection.
- Backup quarterbacks John Wolford and Brett Rypien were called upon during injuries to Stafford but did not inspire confidence, leading to further offensive struggles.
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Injuries and Roster Moves:
- Injuries continued to plague the Rams. Cooper Kupp (WR), who had been healthy for most of the previous seasons, missed several games early in the season with a hamstring injury. Kupp returned later in the year but was not fully at 100% throughout.
- Aaron Donald (DT) also missed some time due to a variety of injuries. While he still remained a force when healthy, he was unable to maintain the same level of dominance throughout the season.
- Cam Akers (RB), who had a tumultuous 2022 season, showed flashes of his previous form, rushing for over 800 yards and 5 touchdowns. However, the Rams’ rushing attack was not enough to balance out the offense.
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Wide Receiver Play:
- Cooper Kupp still remained the focal point of the Rams’ offense, despite his injuries. He finished the season with over 1,000 yards and 7 touchdowns, but the lack of a solid supporting cast left the offense predictable.
- Puka Nacua, a rookie wide receiver, became a bright spot for the Rams. His early season success, including some big games, offered hope for the future. Nacua had over 800 yards and 5 touchdowns in his rookie campaign, showing that the Rams had found a young, promising target to pair with Kupp.
- Van Jefferson continued to be a deep threat but had a limited impact on a struggling offense.
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Offensive Line:
- The offensive line continued to be one of the Rams’ biggest issues. Injuries and lack of depth caused significant struggles in both the passing and running games.
- Stafford was frequently under pressure, leading to inconsistent offensive performances, and the Rams’ ground game had trouble finding rhythm.
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Defense:
- The Rams’ defense, while still featuring Aaron Donald as the centerpiece, also experienced some struggles. While Donald was still a strong presence on the defensive line, his inability to consistently disrupt opposing offenses, combined with the lack of depth around him, kept the defense from being truly dominant.
- Jalen Ramsey was traded away to the Miami Dolphins in the offseason, leaving a hole in the secondary that was only partially filled by rookie cornerbacks and Darious Williams (who returned in 2023).
- The Rams’ defense was inconsistent in 2023, finishing 18th in total defense. They struggled to stop the run and had issues with keeping opposing offenses from putting up big plays, especially in the secondary.
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Coaching:
- Sean McVay remained the head coach, but his ability to work with a limited roster and coaching staff became a big talking point. McVay, who was a key architect of the Rams’ Super Bowl-winning season, faced criticism for not being able to turn things around with the team in 2023.
- The Rams’ struggles have led some to question whether McVay can continue to succeed with an aging roster and limited salary cap space for future years.
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Special Teams:
- Special teams were consistent, with Matt Gay continuing to be reliable as the kicker. Johnny Hekker remained one of the league’s top punters, though the special teams unit was largely uneventful throughout the season.
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Playoff Picture:
- For the second consecutive year, the Rams missed the playoffs. Their 5-12 record made it clear that they were in the midst of a rebuilding phase, unable to compete for a postseason spot.
Notable Players:
- Matthew Stafford (QB) – Struggled with consistency and injuries, unable to carry the offense effectively.
- Cooper Kupp (WR) – Still a top target for Stafford, but injuries limited his impact in a key season.
- Puka Nacua (WR) – A bright spot for the Rams, the rookie showed promise as a future weapon.
- Aaron Donald (DT) – While still impactful, he couldn’t fully carry the defense.
- Cam Akers (RB) – A solid but unspectacular season, showing flashes but unable to revitalize the running game.
- Jalen Ramsey (CB) – Traded to Miami before the season, leaving a significant hole in the secondary.
The 2023 Los Angeles Rams were caught between the end of their Super Bowl window and the start of a rebuild. With an aging roster and the departure of key contributors, the team struggled to stay competitive. While Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald remained elite players, the Rams’ offense was inconsistent, and the defense lacked the dominant edge it had in the past. The team’s struggles in 2023 will force the Rams to reevaluate their roster and make moves to rebuild while managing salary cap challenges. Despite these challenges, the emergence of Puka Nacua offers a bright spot for the future.
