How do the LA Rams approach the offseason? (Article)

How do the Los Angeles Rams approach the offseason?

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Loading up for title runs is expensive and attractive, but it comes with a future cost, too.
By Eric Nagel Feb 6, 2019


You’re going to hear this for months: this offseason, the Los Angeles Rams are at a crossroads.Yada, yada, yada. It’s a narrative you’re going to hear from everyone (probably 3k...definately Sosa) and sure, it’s typically a crossroads for every team (what are their needs? what moves do they make?), but the added wrinkle of a humiliating Super Bowl LIII loss and the Year of the Knee might change the strategy the Rams employ.

But what is that strategy? There are a few options to consider.
Stand pat
Puns, baby. The thinking here is that the Rams made it all the way, but just couldn’t finish. Sure, there might be some additions to the roster - maybe an EDGE, maybe some offensive line depth depending on what happens to the veterans. But the key here is that the Rams should try their hardest to keep continuity going. After all, if your previous result is making it to the Super Bowl, that’s not exactly a team you want to break up. That of course, means tough decisions on some free agents. It also means little news and more speculation, which means Sean McVay gets to answer four months-worth of questions about Todd Gurley’s knee, and nothing else, so say we all.

Upgrade
This is the goldilocks of options. Yes, the Rams are probably going to lose some players in free agency. Yes, they’re probably going to gain some compensation picks after their expert navigation in free agency last year. But, they have cap space. They can afford to sign a marquee free agent, even if for a year on a prove it deal. Given that the Rams are a contender, it might be easier to pull a veteran away for a chance at a title. But the key is they won’t blow up their draft to add veterans. The Rams haven’t shown a lot of precedence in regards to developing rookies (Les Snead treats draft picks like Sean McVay treats timeouts) but in this approach, they might have to lean on whoever they choose with that first round pick. Because the point is, they’ll actually pick someone. It’s not exactly loading up for a run, but it’s not exactly not loading up.

All in
Let’s be real - this is easily the sexiest option in terms of an offseason plan. Moving your draft picks for players like Aqib Talib, Brandin Cooks and Marcus Peters? Check. Adding players in free agency like Ndamukong Suh? Check. Here, the Rams try and bring in everyone they can and coalesce around a common goal: getting back to and winning the Super Bowl. It’s a good redemption story, and you know damn well MMQB would profile the team if they do this.

However, tossing away another year’s draft class means the Rams will hit a wall - hard. They won’t have a deep roster to lean on when Jared Goff’s inevitable contract extension comes due. Teams that feature multiple players on mega-deals like Aaron Donald (and a QB, like Goff), don’t typically survive without a young core to build around (on cheap contracts!). This means the team might lose in the future, which is hard to think about now, but important to plan.