The Los Angeles Rams might have the MVP for the 2025 NFL season, but could they pull off a move this offseason that ushers in the new era under head coach Sean McVay?
While 37-year-old Stafford is having a career year with 40 touchdowns to only five interceptions and is the frontrunner for the most prestigious individual award in football, rumors will always surround his back, age, and overall health heading into every new season he decides to play in.
As the Rams prepare to play on Monday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons, it again raises the question of what moves they’ll make in the offseason. They own the Falcons’ first-round pick in the 2026 draft after swapping backs at last year’s draft, and the Rams will enter April’s event having two picks on opening night to throw around, with the Falcons’ selection possibly a top-ten choice.
They could either go safe and pick up a need with that premium pick at the cornerback position and find a true No. 1 in the secondary, or, if I believe they should do, L.A. goes risky for a home run.
I believe the Rams should give up both of their 2026 first-round picks, their first in 2027, and other draft capital to move up to the top pick in the draft to select Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza.
Mendoza, who led the Hoosiers to an undefeated season and the top seed in the College Football Playoff, is the perfect pocket-passing QB (with a bit of mobility) and high football IQ that McVay could turn into a franchise cornerstone.
The Rams should have him sit for a year or two behind Stafford as he learns the system and how to play in the NFL, and then have him hopefully be ready to take the reins of the franchise for the next decade alongside Puka Nacua.
Mendoza played in California for the Golden Bears before transferring to Indiana this past season, and he could return to the Golden State as McVay’s first true rookie disciple if the Rams decide to pull the trigger in the offseason.