2022 NFL season: 100 things to know with 100 days until Week 1 kickoff; News, notes and facts for all 32 teams​

If you're a Rams fan, you might still be basking in the glory of the team's 2021 Super Bowl run. But the race for the next Lombardi Trophy will be underway before you know it. In fact, the start of the 2022 season is now just 100 days away. And in case you missed it, this NFL offseason was maybe the wildest in recent memory. So what better way to anticipate the new year, while reviewing the craziness of the last few months, than by highlighting 100 things to know for the 2022 season?

Find a comfortable chair. Get yourself a beverage. And get ready to absorb all the factoids you could ever want:

1. The Rams are looking to repeat as Super Bowl champions after going 12-5 and beating the Bengals in February's championship. The last time they won the Super Bowl, in 1999, it took them only two seasons to return to the big game.
2. The Rams will open the new regular season on Thursday, Sept. 8, against the Bills in SoFi Stadium, the site of Los Angeles' Super Bowl victory.
3. The Bills are arguably the hottest preseason pick to take over the throne. Caesars Sportsbook has Buffalo as the early favorite to win Super Bowl LVII, just ahead of the Buccaneers and Chiefs, the most recent champs before the Rams.
4. Most of the Bills hype revolves around quarterback Josh Allen, who happens to be Caesars' preseason MVP favorite. The 26-year-old All-Pro went toe to toe with former MVP Patrick Mahomes in Buffalo's overtime playoff loss to the Chiefs in 2021.
5. The Bills have won at least 10 games in three straight seasons under Allen. They're looking to claim a third straight AFC East title in 2022, after the division belonged to the Patriots for 11 straight years.
6. Buffalo's defense, which includes stud starters like Tre'Davious White and Tremaine Edmunds, will now be headlined by Von Miller, the longtime Broncos and recent Rams linebacker who signed a lucrative deal to lead the Bills' pass rush this offseason.
7. The Chiefs have been the Bills' kryptonite during Buffalo's transformation to contender. Kansas City beat Buffalo in the 2020 AFC Championship, then edged the Bills 42-36 in the divisional round of the 2021 playoffs.
8. Unlike the Bills, who extended top wide receiver Stefon Diggs this offseason, securing Allen's favorite target for the long haul, the Chiefs enter 2022 with a remade pass-catching corps after trading perennial Pro Bowler Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins.
9. Miami is just one of several teams to enter the new year with a new No. 1 receiver. The Raiders(Davante Adams), Eagles (A.J. Brown), Browns (Amari Cooper), Cardinals (Marquise Brown), Titans (Robert Woods) and Jaguars (Christian Kirk) are all looking to new faces to lead their WRs out of the gate.
10. The Broncos are looking to snap a six-year streak of missing the playoffs with maybe the biggest addition of the offseason, longtime Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, acquired in a blockbuster trade at the start of free agency.
11. The last time Denver made the postseason, it won the Super Bowl. That was 2015, when Peyton Manning, the team's last supersized QB addition, started under center.
12. Broncos Nation will get its first look at Wilson in orange and blue on "Monday Night Football," when Wilson's old team, the Seahawks, is set to host a Week 1 tilt in Seattle.
13. No division enters with higher expectations than the AFC West, where Denver made the biggest splash at QB but the Chargers spent big around their own star QB, Justin Herbert; the Raiders did the same under new coach Josh McDaniels; and the Chiefs remain annual title contenders thanks to QB Patrick Mahomes and coach Andy Reid.
14. The Chargers enter their second year under coach Brandon Staley with a reloaded defense. The biggest additions: Bears pass-rusher Khalil Mack, Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson and Rams defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day.
15. Like the Bills, the Chargers are mostly considered AFC muscle because of their QB. Herbert, 24, is the first player in NFL history to throw at least 30 touchdowns in each of his first two seasons.
16. The Raiders are banking on their own QB, Derek Carr, guiding a new regime, extending the 31-year-old through 2025 and paying up to land Adams, his old Fresno State teammate, from the Packers.
17. McDaniels, who's making his debut as Raiders coach, spent the last 10 years under Bill Belichick with the Patriots. He previously parlayed a New England job into a head coaching gig in 2009 but lasted less than two seasons with the Broncos.
18. After trading Hill, the Chiefs are looking to prove they're still a model offense, turning to several newcomers (JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore) to serve as outlets for Mahomes.
19. Oddsmakers still love Kansas City's chances of controlling the star-studded AFC. Mahomes is a top-two favorite to win his second NFL MVP award, and the Chiefs sit behind only the Bills in AFC title odds.
20. Under Reid, the Chiefs have won at least 12 games in five of their last six seasons. They've logged double-digit wins in eight of Reid's nine seasons atop the staff, as well as six straight AFC West titles and three straight AFC Championship appearances. They came within four points of appearing in a third straight Super Bowl in 2021.
21. The Bengals, who upset the Chiefs in the AFC Championship, are looking to defend their first AFC North title in six years. Although they didn't win the Super Bowl against the Rams, their march through the postseason confirmed them as one of the biggest turnaround stories in recent memory; they went just 6-25-1 under coach Zac Taylor the previous two years.
22. QB Joe Burrow is looking to return Cincinnati to the playoffs behind an improved offensive line, which has three new starters in ex-Patriots center Ted Karras, ex-Buccaneers guard Alex Cappaand ex-Cowboys tackle La'el Collins.
23. The Bengals might have one of, if not the best, skill-position group in the NFL between Burrow, running back Joe Mixon, and wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. The latter three combined for 3,374 yards in 2021.
24. Despite their title bid, the Bengals could face stiff competition in the AFC North, where the rival Browns, Ravens and Steelers all appear improved. Not one of them has controlled the division for more than two seasons at a time since the 1990s.
25. The Browns made the biggest, if not unanimously celebrated, moves to improve in 2022. None was bigger than their trade for ex-Texans QB Deshaun Watson, a three-time Pro Bowler who still faces 22 civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault or misconduct.
26. Watson's arrival effectively spelled the end of former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield's career in Cleveland. The Browns are still looking to trade Mayfield, who battled injuries during much of an iffy 2021 campaign.
27. It remains to be seen if -- and, more likely, how long -- Watson will be suspended in light of his alleged serial abuse. The Browns insist publicly they have reviewed their new QB's background, but NFL discipline is anticipated.
28. If/when Watson is suspended, the Browns are set to turn to journeyman Jacoby Brissett as their interim QB. Brissett's most recent stops include the Dolphins' and Colts' backup roles.
29. Outside of their QB uncertainties, the Browns boast some of the top talent in the NFL. Running back Nick Chubb, new receiver Cooper, pass-rusher Myles Garrett and cornerback Denzel Wardare all Pro Bowl-caliber starters.
30. The Ravens, meanwhile, are relying as much on familiar faces as new names to return to the playoff picture. They figure to be much healthier in 2022 after losing countless starters, including literally their entire stable of running backs, in 2021.
31. QB Lamar Jackson is the biggest name returning from injury for Baltimore. Despite MVP-level athleticism, he faces his own set of questions entering a contract year: Will his lack of a long-term deal affect his play? Will the loss of No. 1 wideout Marquise Brown hurt his passing development? Will the Ravens double down on a run-first approach around his legs?
32. Baltimore is looking to avoid a third straight year of regression. The Ravens have made the playoffs nine times in John Harbaugh's 14 seasons as coach, but their win total has decreased from 14 to 11 to eight the last three years.
33. The Steelers, who have never had a losing season under Mike Tomlin, are entering the year without Ben Roethlisberger at QB for the first time since 2003. His immediate successor could be first-round pick Kenny Pickett, from -- where else -- Pittsburgh.
34. Once the powerhouse of the AFC, the Patriots are looking to build on QB Mac Jones' encouraging rookie year and win their first playoff game in four years. They went 10-7 in 2021 but were blown out by the rival Bills in the wild card round.
35. New England appears more interested in winning the old-fashioned way, with efficient passing, a sizable ground game and physical defense. That's a strategy also set to be deployed in Seattle, where Pete Carroll tries to win without Wilson.
36. One of the few gambles the Patriots are taking at WR to help Jones in Year 2: DeVante Parker, the former Dolphins standout, acquired via trade before the draft. Parker is set to compete with the likes of Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, Nelson Agholor and rookie Tyquan Thornton for playing time.
37. Broncos castoff Drew Lock, part of the package that sent Wilson to Denver, is competing with veteran backup Geno Smith to start at QB in Seattle. The Seahawks' 7-10 finish in 2021 snapped their three-year playoff streak.
38. The Dolphins are also poised to lean on the run under new coach Mike McDaniel, a former top assistant to Kyle Shanahan with the 49ers. Miami added several backs, including ex-Cardinals starter Chase Edmonds, behind young QB Tua Tagovailoa and could also incorporate Hill in reverses and run-centric packages.
39. Speaking of San Francisco and running receivers, top weapon Deebo Samuel may or may not be in town as he seeks a trade, which adds uncertainty to an offense with a question mark at the most important position. Incumbent QB Jimmy Garoppolo is pricey and injury-prone, leaving former first-round pick Trey Lance as the tantalizing but unproven successor.
40. The 49ers have either been elite or lackluster under Shanahan, logging three losing records and two NFC Championship bids in five years. They spent big to draft Lance in 2021, but the NDSU product saw limited playing time as a rookie.
41. Back in the AFC East, another Shanahan disciple, coordinator Mike LaFleur, is looking to oversee a major step forward for Jets' former first-round QB Zach Wilson, who struggled mightily for much of his 2021 debut.
42. Few QBs enter the new season with a more improved supporting cast than Wilson, whose Jets added receiver Garrett Wilson, running back Breece Hall and lineman Laken Tomlinson. The team's defense also has lots of intriguing new faces, including rookies Sauce Gardner and Jermaine Johnson II, and defensive backs D.J. Reed and Jordan Whitehead.
43. The reigning AFC South champion Titans are entering a make-or-break year for QB Ryan Tannehill, who helped turn Tennessee into a contender but is 0-3 in his last three playoff starts. Tannehill is expendable after 2022 and now faces long-term competition in rookie Malik Willis, widely considered the most electric QB prospect of his class.
44. The Titans are asking rookie receiver Treylon Burks to play a huge role out of the gate, drafting the big wideout to replace former No. 1 Brown, who was dealt to the Eagles on draft day. Tennessee's offense still figures to run through big back Derrick Henry, however, with Jeffery Simmons headlining their tough front on the other side of the ball.
45. The Colts are set to open the year with a new starting QB for the seventh straight season, with longtime Falcons standout Matt Ryan replacing Carson Wentz, who was dealt to Washington following a poor finish to 2021.
46. The 37-year-old Ryan is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Lions-turned-Rams star Matthew Stafford, another proven QB who found instant playoff success after relocating from his longtime NFL home to a win-now setup. Indianapolis' top pieces, including RB Jonathan Taylorand a stingy defense now led by Gus Bradley, figure to get him back in the postseason mix.
47. If Ryan goes down in Indy, the Colts' new backup is Nick Foles, who famously thrived under coach Frank Reich in Philadelphia, where Foles won Super Bowl MVP as the fill-in star for the Eagles' 2017 title run.
48. Speaking of ex-Eagles stars, Doug Pederson is hoping to rejuvenate the Jaguars after a year away from the game, replacing Urban Meyer as head coach. His top asset, QB Trevor Lawrence, got a slew of big-money investments this offseason, including receivers Kirk and Zay Jones, tight end Evan Engram and lineman Brandon Scherff.
49. The Jaguars will enter the season with the last two No. 1 overall draft picks: Lawrence and new DT/DE Travon Walker.
50. Jacksonville has made the playoffs just twice in the past 15 years, and the Jags have won just 15 games over the last four. Even a several-win improvement from their 3-14 finish in 2021 would likely be considered a success for their new staff.
51. The Giants have also been bottom-dwellers of late, making the playoffs once in the last 10 years. They are banking on a pair of former Bills leaders, new coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, to uproot a pricey, underwhelming roster.
52. Former first-round QB Daniel Jones is looking to earn additional time under center in New York, where the Giants declined his fifth-year option, making 2022 Jones' final audition to remain Big Blue's signal-caller. His new coach, Daboll, famously helped develop Allen from scattershot starter to steady playmaker in Buffalo.
53. Washington is hoping to strike its own kind of gold at QB, turning to Eagles and Colts castoff Wentz via trade. They've cycled through young and old QBs alike, and coach Ron Rivera hasn't won double-digit games since 2017, when he was with the Panthers.
54. This is the first season Washington will play as the Commodes. The franchise spent two years as Washington Football Team after retiring its longtime "Redskins" nickname in 2020.
55. The Cowboys enter as favorites to win the NFC East, which they did in 2021, but their own coach, Mike McCarthy, could be on the hot seat thanks to previous public pressure from team owner Jerry Jones.
    
    
56. Dallas scored more points than any team in the NFL a year ago, but QB Dak Prescott's offensive lineup will look different, with Collins, Cooper and Wilson Jr. all gone. Staples like Ezekiel Elliott, CeeDee Lamb and Dalton Schultz are still in town and figure to headline the group.
57. The Cowboys' defense, under the direction of Dan Quinn (a Jones favorite and potential McCarthy successor), features maybe the NFL's top young defensive playmakers in Micah Parsons, who racked up 13 sacks as a 22-year-old rookie; and Trevon Diggs, whose hit-or-miss coverage netted him an NFL-leading 11 interceptions.
58. Few teams are surging as potential division challengers quite like the Eagles, who finished 9-8 under new coach Nick Sirianni in 2021 and added a number of big names via the draft and free agency, including Brown, DE/LB Haason Reddick, DT Jordan Davis and CB James Bradberry.
59. Philadelphia is poised to lean more on the passing game after excelling as a run-heavy offense down the stretch in 2021, with third-year QB Jalen Hurts looking to secure a long-term job with Brown and DeVonta Smith as his top young targets.
60. If any division is up for grabs, it's the NFC East, where there hasn't been a repeat champion since 2001-2004.
61. If there's one division winner from 2021 that you can bet will lose its crown, it might be the Cowboys, not only because of the NFC East's parity but because Dallas hasn't had back-to-back seasons with double-digit wins since the 1990s.
62. While the 49ers and Seahawks are dealing with uncertainty at QB, the Cardinals might take the cake for NFC West drama. QB Kyler Murray is still engaged in a quiet contract dispute, star WR DeAndre Hopkins will miss the first six games due to suspension, and coach Kliff Kingsbury has job security on a new deal but has overseen late-season slumps every year.
63. In Green Bay, star QB and reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers will have to navigate his first season without Adams since 2013. Rookie Christian Watson, a second-round pick out of NDSU, could quickly become a go-to target on the outside.
64. With or without a deep receiving corps, the Packers are looking to make it four straight seasons with at least 13 wins under coach Matt LaFleur. They're also aiming for their fourth straight NFC North title.
65. One area in which Green Bay should be improved is on defense, where star corner Jaire Alexander is healthier and newly paid, and rookie newcomers Quay Walker and Devonte Wyattshould give the front seven more juice.
66. The NFC North runners-up, the Vikings, are hoping to get back in the playoffs to kick off a new regime, with former Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell replacing Mike Zimmer at head coach and former Browns executive Kwesi Adofo-Mensah taking over for Rick Spielman at general manager.
67. The biggest gamble of new Vikings leadership was the decision to recommit to -- rather than sell -- QB Kirk Cousins, who's yet to taste much big-game glory but has mostly offered top-12ish production under center. Cousins is now tied to Minnesota through 2023, but the idea is he'll be better utilized with an offensive mind running the show.
68. If Cousins doesn't inspire Vikings faithful, his weapons still should. RB Dalvin Cook and WR Justin Jefferson are arguably top-three players at their respective positions and should keep Minnesota explosive on that side of the ball.
69. The new-look Vikings are clearly interested in winning now rather than rebuilding slowly, as some of their biggest investments on defense, once a strong point under Zimmer, anticipate early results. New starters Jordan Hicks and Za'Darius Smith, for example, should pair nicely with holdovers like Danielle Hunter and Eric Kendricks to solidify that unit.
70. The Bears also addressed their defense ahead of 2022, swapping out aging assets like Mack for youngsters like Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker, and naming former Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus their new head man.
71. While Chicago's defense could still be feisty, the new Bears regime is asking an awful lot of second-year QB Justin Fields, saddling the former first-rounder with an iffy line and pass catchers. It's a potentially dangerous road to take, even if they plan to spend big in 2023, after just recently exiling another top QB pick they struggled to develop.
72. The Lions, who haven't won a playoff game since 1991, are looking to translate coach Dan Campbell's beloved demeanor into on-field results, after finishing his debut with just a 3-13-1 record.
73. Detroit will boast a lot more speed on offense, adding former Jaguars standout D.J. Chark and Alabama product Jameson Williams to an offense already featuring young playmakers like D'Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson. Their questions mainly lie on defense, where they used their top draft pick on edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson; and QB, where Jared Goff somehow managed to stave off any additions to the position with a single mediocre season as a stopgap.
74. The biggest story of the season might reside in Tampa, where the ageless Tom Brady will embark on his 23rd season (and third as the Buccaneers QB) after abruptly returning from his post-2021 retirement, which lasted all of 40 days.
75. Brady's return coincides with the return of plenty of other notable Bucs, including Super Bowl names like Chris Godwin, Carlton Davis and Ryan Jensen. He will not, however, play under Bruce Arians this time, with defensive coordinator Todd Bowles taking over as head coach after Arians' abrupt resignation in March.
76. Plenty have speculated that Arians' resignation as Bucs coach has to do with Brady's return (i.e. that the two were no longer working well together), but regardless, it's very possible Brady is entering his final season in Tampa Bay. His contract allows him to test free agency again after 2022, and the all-time great would undoubtedly have suitors.
77. As long as Brady is under center with the Bucs, though, it's hard to bet against Tampa Bay in the NFC, and especially in the NFC South, which arguably includes three other teams either blatantly rebuilding or struggling to admit they should be.
78. The Falcons are poised to put up the least amount of fight in the NFC South. Not only are they entering the season with new faces Marcus Mariota and/or Desmond Ridder at QB in place of Ryan, but their roster, save for a few promising young pieces like TE Kyle Pitts and CB A.J. Terrell, looks years away from contending.
79. The Panthers enter with an upgraded offensive line and have their own handful of young standouts, from D.J. Moore to Derrick Brown, but are set to live on yet another prayer at QB, where ex-Jets bust Sam Darnold and rookie third-rounder Matt Corral could compete for the Opening Day gig.
80. Carolina looks like one of the last logical landing spots for veteran QBs still on the trade market, namely Mayfield and Garoppolo. It's possible they could wait until deep into the summer or preseason to pull the trigger on such a move.
81. The Saints are acting as if they'll be back in the playoff mix in 2022, surrounding trial-run QB Jameis Winston with toys both old (WR Michael Thomas) and new (WRs Chris Olave, Jarvis Landry, OT Trevor Penning).
82. After allowing safety Marcus Williams to depart for the Ravens in free agency, and saying farewell to the retiring Malcolm Jenkins, the Saints are turning to former Chiefs star Tyrann Mathieu to lead their secondary.
83. New Orleans will be without Asshole Face on the sidelines for the first time since 2005, with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen taking over after Payton's indefinite departure from coaching. Allen has been with the Saints in some capacity for 12 different seasons, but his only time as a head coach, with the Raiders from 2012-2014, resulted in an 8-28 record.
84. In the event Winston goes down (the former Buccaneers QB has played a full season just once in five years), the Saints' new backup is Andy Dalton, the longtime Bengals starter last seen as a No. 2 in Dallas and Chicago.
85. If there's one team that can play spoiler against the stacked Bucs, it's the Saints, who have gone 4-1 against Tampa Bay since Brady's move from New England. In their last meeting, Allen was the interim coach and led a 9-0 shutout victory.
86. A dozen different teams will be featured in at least five prime-time games: the Bills, Bengals, Broncos, Buccaneers, Chargers, Chiefs, Cowboys, Eagles, 49ers, Packers, Patriots, Steelers and Rams.
87. The last two Super Bowl champions have won the championship in their own stadiums: the Buccaneers, at Raymond James Stadium in 2020; and the Rams, at SoFi Stadium in 2021. The host this year: State Farm Stadium, home of the Cardinals.
88. The reigning champion Rams should remain one of the deepest offensive attacks in the NFL, adding former Bears WR Allen Robinson to a group already including Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp, who led the league in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in 2021.
89. In the aftermath of the Rams' 2021 title, there was lots of speculation about the potential retirements of both coach Sean McVay and star DT Aaron Donald, each of whom hinted at stepping away from the game prior to the Super Bowl. Both McVay and Donald are back and on track to stick with the club for at least this year.
90. Games will officially begin Aug. 4, when the preseason kicks off with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. This year's opponents are the Jaguars and Raiders, both of whom will debut new coaches.
91. This year's International Series, featuring the NFL's annual overseas matchups, includes three games in London, one in Mexico City, and one in Germany, where the Buccaneers and Seahawks will square off in Munich.
92. For the 17th straight year, three different games will take place on Thanksgiving: Bills at Lions, Giants at Cowboys, and Patriots at Vikings.
93. Christmas Day will feature a special three-game slate for the first time in NFL history: Packers at Dolphins and Broncos at Rams (on CBS and Nickelodeon) in the afternoon, and Buccaneers at Cardinals on "Sunday Night Football."
94. Ten different teams will debut new head coaches: the Bears (Eberflus), Broncos (Nathaniel Hackett), Buccaneers (Todd Bowles), Dolphins (McDaniel), Giants (Daboll), Jaguars (Pederson), Raiders (McDaniels), Saints (Allen), Texans (Lovie Smith) and Vikings (O'Connell).
95. This will be the second 17-game, 18-week regular season in NFL history.
96. A new overtime rule will go into effect starting in the playoffs. Previously, the first team to score a touchdown (or score any points and prevent the other team from scoring as many on its ensuing possession) would win. Now, both teams are guaranteed at least one possession.
97. The NFL is still investigating the alleged conduct of Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, who was named in a wide-spanning class-action lawsuit from Brian Flores, the team's former coach. Flores, now an assistant with the Steelers, has shed light on alleged racial discrimination in hiring and workplace practices around the league, and one of his allegations suggests Ross once offered him $100,000 per loss to secure better draft positioning.
98. "Thursday Night Football" will now stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video and Twitch.
99. Several specialty broadcasts debuted in recent seasons will continue in 2022, including Paramount's family oriented Nickelodeon simulcast, which will run on Christmas Day; and ESPN2's "Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli."
100. Lead national TV broadcasters are now as follows: Jim Nantz and Tony Romo (CBS), Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Olsen (Fox), Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth (NBC), Joe Buck and Troy Aikman (ESPN/ABC), Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit (Amazon).

State of the 2022 Los Angeles Rams: Repeat within reach?​

Published: May 31, 2022 at 11:41 AM

Adam Rank
NFL.com Writer

Where does your franchise stand heading into 2022? Adam Rank sets the table by providing a State of the Franchise look at all 32 teams, zeroing in on the key figures to watch and setting the stakes for the season to come.

Your Los Angeles Rams are the world champions of football, having won the first Lombardi Trophy in the franchise's L.A. history and the first professional football title for the city since Tommy Maddox led the Los Angeles Xtreme to the top of the XFL. (Not to brag, but I was at the Million Dollar Game.) Now, they'll try to repeat -- and they've got a great chance.

2021 rewind​

One high from last season: Winning the Super Bowl. Obviously. What could be better? But let me point this out, too: Beating the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game might have been even sweeter. The Rams lost six consecutive games to San Francisco going into that one. People were looking at Sean McVay like he was Kyle Shanahan's little brother. The Rams even tried to limit ticket sales outside of Southern California to stop a hostile takeover of SoFi Stadium by Niners fans. Winning that NFC title match was huge. Almost bigger than the Super Bowl. Almost.

One low from last season: Losing Robert Woods to a torn ACL in November. It's apparent how much the Rams loved Woods. He was on the podium when the team accepted the Lombardi Trophy. Cooper Kupp spoke glowingly of him. He was a huge part of that championship run, ranking second on the Rams in targets, catches, receiving yards and receiving TDs through the first nine weeks of the season. Football is a cold business, reflected by the fact that Woods has since been traded to the Tennessee Titans. But it was heartbreaking when he went down last year.

2022 VIPs​

Head coach: Sean McVay. This guy's been one of the hottest names in the NFL since taking over as a 30-year-old in 2017. He's never lost more than seven games in a season, and he led L.A. to the Super Bowl in Year 2; meanwhile, it seems like anybody who's ever spent time with him has gotten an NFL gig in the past few years. But going into 2021, there wasn't yet a great answer to anyone who asked what McVay had really ever won.
Well, now you can say Super Bowl LVI. And before accomplishing that, he dispatched his biggest rival in the NFC Championship Game, as I described above. McVay's star has never been brighter. The next challenge will be winning more titles -- we've seen a lot of coaches break through to capture that first Lombardi, then fail to ever get back there again. (Looking at you, Asshole Face.)

Quarterback: Matthew Stafford. The narrative around Stafford has forever changed. I mean, when the Rams shipped picks and Jared Goff to Detroit for the longtime Lions QB last year, there were people who questioned if it was even a good idea. Not me; I liked the move. But it clearly turned the question of "What could Stafford become on a talented team?" from a hypothetical what-if into something Stafford was going to have to answer. And, well, that's exactly what he did. He's a Super Bowl winner. (In fact, he has as many NFC titles and Super Bowl wins as another quarterback against whom he regularly competed in the NFC North. I'm just saying.)
Those of you who thought of Stafford as "Pat Stat-Ford," a fantasy producer who generated yards on a losing team, should find somebody else to pick on. And with a brand new extension, the 34-year-old has a real chance to cement his legacy and add some more hardware.

Projected 2022 MVP: Aaron Donald, defensive tackle. The quarterback is typically the easy choice for this slot, but I don't think there is a non-quarterback out there who is more important to his team than Donald is to the Rams. Think of the Super Bowl and how, prompted by some chirping from the Bengals, Donald seemed to come alive like one of those players who would literally burn in NBA Jam back in the day.
Donald has teased the possibility that he might retire, but we've also heard that he and the team are working on an extension heading into Year 9 of his NFL career. If, as I'm assuming at this point, Donald returns, locking up the seven-time All-Pro (and three-time Defensive Player of the Year) will be the most important move for the team this offseason, even topping the Stafford extension and additions of Allen Robinson and Bobby Wagner. (And, not to brag, but I had Donald here last year.)

New face to know: Allen Robinson, receiver. I'm a Bears fan, and I would have liked to keep Robinson in Chicago, where he spent the past four seasons, but I loved this signing for the Rams. It's like breaking up with somebody who just wasn't that into you anymore; it's tough, but I'm going to take the mature approach and just be happy for him, because I can't think of a better landing spot. Robinson is coming off his worst statistical season, but I still contend he is a top-10 receiver (at least) in the right situation -- and this is absolutely the right situation. Robinson, Kupp and Van Jefferson comprise one of the best receiver trios in the league. I'm not afraid to say it.

2022 breakout star: Tutu Atwell, receiver. I'm a big fan of the Rams' second-round selection last year. Atwell didn't log a single target on offense as a rookie, though he looked good on special teams before ultimately being waylaid by a shoulder injury. The dude has got some skills. And with Kupp and Robinson commanding a lot of attention, he has the game-breaking ability to make some huge touchdown receptions. I know a lot of you are going to be tempted to take him in your fantasy drafts. I'm not sure he's going to have the target share to produce in that realm, but Atwell is going to appear on some highlight reels.

Matthew Stafford on Rams' 2022 schedule: 'I know we're going to get everybody's best shot

2022 roadmap​

Three key dates:

• Week 1 vs. Buffalo Bills (Thursday night). Everyone was secretly hoping this was going to be the 2022 NFL Kickoff Game, and the league delivered. I know a lot of people are thinking of this as a preview of Super Bowl LVII -- not me, but a lot of people.
• Week 12 at Kansas City Chiefs. Is this the game that I'm thinking is the Super Bowl preview? Nah. But it is a prime matchup (although it's not in prime time, which is kind of a shame).
• Week 15 at Green Bay Packers (Monday night). The Packers have finished like regular-season champs in each of the last two seasons. The Rams were actual champs last year. This one is in Green Bay. And it's not a playoff game. I might have to give the Packers the edge here.

Will the Rams be able to ...​

Be the first repeat champions since the Patriots in the early 2000s? This is easier said than done. The Buccaneers, winners of Super Bowl LV, had 22 returning starters -- which I'm surprised people didn't find a way to somehow mention more -- last year, including Tom Brady, the last quarterback to lead a team to back-to-back Super Bowl wins. And even that wasn't enough for a group that, let's be honest, was right there, despite dealing with injuries. So this is a legitimate question.

I will cite the excellent point that Willie McGinest made with me on NFL Total Access recently: The Rams do have a relatively fresh Super Bowl loss on their ledger (in Super Bowl LIII), which should help them fight complacency. And Stafford can surely still remember his dour Detroit days. So the Rams figure to have a strong shot here.

Weather the loss of Andrew Whitworth? Now, you could make the case that Joe Noteboom can certainly fill the void left by the retired Whitworth at left tackle. But I'm talking about more than the depth chart. Whitworth was the 2021 Walter Payton Man of the Year. And his presence off the field might be the toughest for the Rams to replace.

One storyline ...​

... people shouldn't overlook: The Rams' release of longtime punter Johnny Hekker. I mean, this guy had come to seem like a Los Angeles institution, as reliable as a double-double from In-N-Out, having been with the team since it moved to L.A. in 2016, and for four seasons before that. But the Rams just let him go. Now, the 32-year-old did have the worst season of his NFL career in 2021. And nobody on a team that moves on without sentimentality from players like Woods and Goff is truly safe. I'm just saying I don't know many fan bases -- outside of the Colts' fans during Pat McAfee's years in Indy -- that include scores of people wearing jerseys of the punter. It will be wild to see Hekker, who signed in Carolina, with another team.

... people shouldn't overthink: The question of who will be the starting running back. I must admit that most people asking about this play fantasy football. The bottom line is, the Rams have a great running scheme, and it doesn't really matter who logs the most carries. Sony Michel is gone, having signed in Miami, but Darrell Henderson and Cam Akers are back, joined by fifth-round pick Kyren Williams. Henderson helped Michel pick up the slack while Akers recovered from a torn Achilles last season, then Akers returned to lead the Rams in carries throughout the playoffs. And they won it all with Akers topping the team in the Super Bowl with 13 carries ... for 21 yards. I guess what people want to know is if they should draft Akers in fantasy this year. And I'd say yes, as long as the price is right.

For 2022 to be a success, the Rams MUST:​

• Win the Super Bowl. 2021 basically couldn't have gone any better for the Rams as they continue to cement their presence in Los Angeles. They brought in a splashy QB and won it all, and in their own sparkling new stadium, to boot. And based on the increase in kids I see walking to my daughter's school wearing Rams gear (my daughter, of course, wears a Jay Cutler jersey), it seems to have helped. But if there's anything this town loves, it's a team that wins multiple titles -- and there's no better way for the Rams to burnish their Tinseltown bonafides than by making history with back-to-back Lombardis.

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Who do you like, as most improved team?

The Broncos certainly changed the vibe around their team.

The NFL's most-improved team in 2022?​

In a recent video for NFL.com, Pro Football Focus ranked the most-improved teams of the 2022 offseason, and the Broncos beat out the Raiders, Jets, Chargers and Dolphins for the top spot.

"Topping the list at number one are the Broncos, and their blockbuster trade for quarterback Russell Wilson is the big reason why," a PFF staffer said. "That move alone is likely going to take Denver's passing offense from one of the least explosive in the NFL to one of the most, thanks to Wilson's deep ball. Since 2015, the Broncos' quarterbacks have combined for just 31 deep passing touchdowns. In that time span with the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson tossed an NFL-leading 84."

PFF's Seth Galina also ranked Wilson highly in a new tier system. In the section of quarterbacks who are "playing at an elite level over the age of 30," Galina places Wilson behind Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers and at the top of a trio that also includes of Matthew Stafford and Matt Ryan.

"Wilson owns the top three seasons in PFF grade between the three with his 2019, 2020 and 2018 seasons coming in with elite grades," Galina wrote. "… Before Wilson's injury in 2021, he was flirting with the top spot in PFF grade for the season before coming back and seeing his grade drop post-injury."

It's not just Wilson's arrival that made Denver's offseason a big hit, though.

"Denver did also add some juice to their defensive front in both free agency and in the NFL Draft," PFF continued in the video. "They managed to pry away edge defender Randy Gregory from the Dallas Cowboys after he generated the NFL's sixth-highest pressure rate in 2021. Denver then stole Oklahoma edge defender Nik Bonitto with their 64th-overall pick. Bonitto was the 38th-ranked player on the PFF Big Board after he led the FBS in pass-rush grade, win rate and pressure rate in 2020 and 2021 collectively."

Tutu Atwell putting in work to make sure second NFL season goes better than first​

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Tutu Atwell's 2021 season did not go completely according to plan.

The Rams wide receiver had two goals for his rookie year, one of which was to be the starting punt returner. He got a shot at it, tallying 10 for 54 yards – also five kickoff returns for 87 yards – before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury against the Texans in Week 8 that required surgery.

"Season got cut short, (but) everything happens for a reason man and God knows what he was doing," Atwell told theRams.com after Thursday's organized team activity (OTA) session. "So just gonna go from there."

Part of that post-injury process included arriving at the team's facility earlier this offseason to work with Kupp on his own prior to the start of OTAs. Atwell said he wanted to "make it feel like home," and also he knew he would be surrounded by supportive teammates. To that end, he also said Kupp took him under his wing when he was there.

"I'm excited about seeing him out here in OTAs and training camp," Kupp after last Monday's OTA session. "We're seeing some other stuff come to life because he's been working very hard to rehab, but also just building himself up and studying the playbook – all the stuff that he needs to do to make sure when he steps on the field to just play his game."

Beyond spending that time at the facility, Atwell has also been working with the strength and nutrition staff to build muscle, while also maintaining his weight.

"It's not really about the weight, (it's) pretty much just where I'm at my best," Atwell said. "How I'm going to perform better, how I'm going to do what I'm at to make plays, be stronger, take them hits and block them bigger guys. We just working in that phase."

If that early offseason facility arrival wasn't enough evidence, Atwell also remained committed by not going home this offseason so that he can stay in town and get in the work he needed to rehab-wise.

He's already seeing benefits.

"I feel a little stronger and faster now, and I'm just building," Atwell said. "Keep building."

Mods, move this wherever if it needs to be

ike Sean McVay, Raheem Morris is a coach players love playing for. He’s down to earth and has a great personality on the sidelines and the practice field, regularly trading barbs with his players.

The Rams mic’d up Morris for one day of OTAs and shared a video of him and Terrell Burgess playfully going at it throughout the practice.

“That’s a missed tackle already, Burg!” Morris yelled to Burgess at one point.

Right before Morris lined up across from Burgess for a drill, he sent this Burgess’ way.

“I never liked you anyway,” Morris said.

Burgess: “It’s all right, I ain’t like you either.”

Clearly, they have a great relationship and this video shows some of Morris’ personality during practice.

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Teams are allowed to carry 90 players on their offseason roster as they progress through OTAs, mandatory minicamp and eventually training camp. At the end of August, every team will have to trim its roster down to only 53 players – with earlier cuts to 85 and 80 players also taking place – but for now, they can have up to 90 players in practice.
As of now, the Rams have 89 players on their roster, so there’s an opening if they were to sign someone. Here’s a list of every player on the team, in ascending order by jersey number.

#1: WR Allen Robinson​

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#2: CB Troy Hill​

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#3: RB Cam Akers​

(AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

#4: S Jordan Fuller​

(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

#5: CB Jalen Ramsey​

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

#6: CB Derion Kendrick (rookie)​

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

#8: K Matt Gay​

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

#9: QB Matthew Stafford​

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

#10: WR Cooper Kupp​

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

#11: P Riley Dixon​

(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

#12: WR Van Jefferson​

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

#13: QB John Wolford​

Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

#14: CB Decobie Durant (rookie)​

#15: WR Tutu Atwell​

(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

#16: P Cameron Dicker (rookie)​

Stephen Spillman-USA TODAY Sports

#17: WR J.J. Koski​

John McCoy-USA TODAY Sports

#18: WR Ben Skowronek​

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

#19: WR Brandon Powell​

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

#20: CB T.J. Carter (rookie)​

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

#21: DB Tyler Hall​

(AP Photo/Ringo Chiu )

#22: CB David Long Jr.​

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

#23: RB Kyren Williams (rookie)​

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#24: S Taylor Rapp​

(AP Photo/Doug Benc)

#25: RB Xavier Jones​

(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

#26: DB Terrell Burgess​

#27: RB Darrell Henderson Jr.​

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

#30: RB Raymond Calais​

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#31: CB Robert Rochell​

(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

#32: LB Travin Howard​

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

#33: S Nick Scott​

(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

#34: RB Jake Funk​

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

#36: DB Grant Haley​

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#37: S Quentin Lake (rookie)​

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

#38: CB Duron Lowe (rookie)​

#39: LB Jake Gervase​

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#40: S Jairon McVea (rookie)​

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

#41: S Daniel Isom (rookie)​

(AP Photo/Young Kwak)

#42: LS Matt Orzech​

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

#43: S Russ Yeast (rookie)​

(AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

#44: OLB Daniel Hardy (rookie)​

(AP Photo/Tommy Martino)

#45: LB Bobby Wagner​

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

#46: CB Caesar Dancy-Williams (rookie)​

John McCoy-USA TODAY Sports

#47: TE Kyle Markway​

(AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

#48: OLB Chris Garrett​

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

#49: TE Roger Carter Jr. (rookie)​

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#51: OLB Benton Whitley (rookie)​

#52: OLB Terrell Lewis​

(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

#53: LB Ernest Jones​

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

#54: OLB Leonard Floyd​

(AP Photo/Scott Eklund)

#55: C Brian Allen​

(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

#56: LB Christian Rozeboom​

(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

#57: LB Anthony Hines​

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#58: OLB Justin Hollins​

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

#59: LB Jacob Hummel (rookie)​

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#60: OL Logan Bruss (rookie)​

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#61: OT A.J. Arcuri (rookie)​

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#62: OG Jeremiah Kolone​

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#64: OL Jack Snyder (rookie)​

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

#65: OL Coleman Shelton​

(AP Photo/Corey Perrine)

#66: OT Max Pircher​

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#67: OL Chandler Brewer​

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

#68: OT Adrian Ealy​

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#69: DL Elijah Garcia (rookie)​

(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

#70: OT Joe Noteboom​

(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

#71: OL Bobby Evans​

(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

#72: OL Tremayne Anchrum Jr.​

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#73: OG David Edwards​

(AP Photo/Corey Perrine)

#77: OT Alaric Jackson​

(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

#79: OT Rob Havenstein​

(AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)

#81: TE Jamal Pettigrew (rookie)​

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#82: WR Lance McCutcheon (rookie)​

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#83: WR Warren Jackson​

(AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)

#84: WR Landen Akers​

John McCoy-USA TODAY Sports

#86: TE Kendall Blanton​

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

#87: TE/WR Jacob Harris​

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

#88: TE Brycen Hopkins​

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

#89: TE Tyler Higbee​

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

#90: DE Earnest Brown IV​

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#91: NT Greg Gaines​

(AP Photo/John McCoy)

#92: DL Jonah Williams​

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#93: DL Marquise Copeland​

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

#94: DL A'Shawn Robinson​

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

#95: DL Bobby Brown III​

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

#96: OLB Keir Thomas II (rookie)​

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

#97: DL Michael Hoecht​

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#98: OLB Brayden Thomas (rookie)​

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#99: DT Aaron Donald​

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Los Angeles Rams will have a new offensive coordinator (again) in 2022, changing out Kevin O’Connell, now with the Minnesota Vikings, for Liam Coen. All things run through Sean McVay, of course, but we can always expect little adjustments every season, as well as some major ones.

That will happen when you trade your starting quarterback for an upgrade.

Did the Rams get any upgrades with their new starting members of the offense for 2022?

RG - Austin Corbett to ???​

Corbett signed a three-year, $26.25 million contract with the Carolina Panthers, putting him well outside of LA’s price range for a right guard. The Panthers only have to pay a $3.1 million cap hit on Corbett in 2022, but then Carolina must pay him a $7.8 million base salary and $10.9 million cap hit in 2023. That is set to make Corbett the ninth-highest paid right guard in 2023, which seems fair.

The Rams go back to bargain hunting at the right guard position, opening up a competition between rookie third round pick Logan Bruss, fourth-year offensive lineman Bobby Evans, and whoever else stands up during LA’s offseason assessment period. Could that mean a shuffling that leaves Coleman Shelton or Brian Allen competing for snaps at right guard instead of center?

I thought Corbett did a really good job as the right guard, but the Rams had no choice but to let him walk for that kind of money. LA’s allocated too much cap space towards great players at premium positions, which is why teams like the Panthers are able to go out and spend money on a right guard. Bruss is a rookie. Evans has struggled with any opportunity to become a starter during his first three seasons.

Upgrade or Downgrade: Slight downgrade​

RB1 - Sony Michel/Darrell Henderson to Cam Akers​

This was originally slated to be Akers a year ago, but a torn Achilles forced a six-month vacation, at which point Akers returned to his position as LA’s starting running back.

Akers had 67 carries for 172 yards and eight catches for 76 yards in four playoff games. He did, however, fumble the ball twice in that limited amount of playing time.

Fumbles have been an issue for Akers since college and there’s no reason to expect anything different until he puts proof out there on the field. We know that Sean McVay won’t play Akers during the preseason and he probably will hold back Henderson just the same. Expect to see Kyren Williams, Jake Funk, Xavier Jones, and Raymond Calais instead, though the latter three of those are also coming off of injuries from a year ago.

Henderson played better than Michel for the most part, but Akers has proven to be the most talented running back that the Rams have had over the last two seasons. That shouldn’t change this year, so long as he stays healthy.

Upgrade or Downgrade: Upgrade if Akers is healthy, Downgrade if he is not​

TE2 - Johnny Mundt to Kendall Blanton or Brycen Hopkins​

Though Mundt spend most of the season on injured reserve, he was slated to replace Gerald Everett in 2021 and was getting some play time. When Mundt was lost, McVay didn’t turn to Blanton and Hopkins so much as he used two tight ends less often.

Then, as we all know by now from it being repeated throughout the offseason, Blanton and Hopkins kind of showed up in the playoffs at different points.

Blanton had seven catches for 75 yards and a touchdown. Hopkins had four catches for 47 yards in the Super Bowl, with three first downs.

The fact that there are two of them, plus an even more intriguing (but much more raw) prospect in Jacob Harris, suggests to me that the Rams are better off at tight end this year than they were a year ago. For the time being, Tyler Higbee’s job does not appear to be in any danger. If Blanton or Hopkins has a breakout season though, Higbee could be on the chopping block in 2023.

Upgrade or Downgrade: Upgrade​

LT - Andrew Whitworth to Joseph Noteboom​

I would not be at all surprised if Whitworth was LA’s starting left tackle in Week 1.

Look at all of the strange, unprecedented things that have happened in the NFL over the last two to three years alone. Whitworth’s age may not be a factor. He was just the starting left tackle for a Super Bowl-winning team. If he wants to return, who is McVay to say no? I don’t expect money to be a sticking point.

It would be more surprising, but not unbelievably shocking, if Whitworth decided to try and help his old team in Cincinnati get back to the Super Bowl. I just don’t think that Whitworth is necessarily ready to call it quits.

If he returns to the Rams, Whitworth could either push Noteboom back inside or move to guard himself. It creates a bit of havoc and risk, but it’s not unaffordable. Noteboom has a $3.5 million cap hit in 2022, followed by a $15.5 million cap hit in 2023. It would definitely look bad to have a $15.5 million backup, but Noteboom has already excelled in a versatile reserve role before.

If no changes are made from here on out and Whitworth does not return, I think Noteboom has proven to be an adequate replacement that would go relatively unnoticed.

Upgrade or Downgrade: Even​

WR2 - Robert Woods/Odell Beckham Jr to Allen Robinson​

Even with Cooper Kupp producing at such a high level in 2021, Woods was no less impactful or productive himself. Woods had 45 catches on 69 targets for 556 yards, four touchdowns, 8.1 yards per target, with 46 rushing yards and a touchdown over nine games.

In Week 5 against the Seahawks, Woods caught 12 of 14 targets for 150 yards. He had touchdowns against the Bears, Cardinals, Giants, and Texans. Now Woods is a member of the Tennessee Titans.

When OBJ showed up at just the right time to replace Woods, I thought that he did a lot of things well and was overall a valuable number two receiver. However, it wasn’t until the NFC Championship game against the 49ers that Beckham resembled the dominant receiver that he once was with the New York Giants (Beckham’s 113 yards that day marked his first game with 90+ yards since October, 2019) and I wouldn’t say he was a parallel value to Woods.

This may have just been because OBJ was only starting to get comfortable with Matthew Stafford by the time of his Super Bowl ACL tear.

This isn’t to say that OBJ would be a bad signing for the Rams this season, when he’s ready to return. But the Allen Robinson signing would appear to be an upgrade to OBJ and he might even represent one to a healthy Robert Woods, which we don’t know how close to 100-percent Woods will be this year, or ever again.

Robinson hasn’t been a picture of health throughout his career either, but Stafford will be the best quarterback he’s ever worked with by far. That helped Kupp reach new heights in 2021. It could mean a breakout (or return to dominance like his 1,400-yard season in 2014) for Robinson.

Back in 2021 there was shocking news with all the Assistant Coaches departing the Los Angeles Rams as the likes of Brandon Staley, Aubrey Pleasant & Shane Waldron left for promotions a report serviced that the L.A. Rams and Offensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator Aaron Kromer mutually parted ways. There was no real reason given plus no speculation as who the replacement would be, but only that Kromer's son Zak would stay on as an offensive quality control coach, which seemed odd.

Speculation simmered as to maybe the Rams wanted to move on from Zak and his father offered up his resignation instead and once the senior Kromer landed on his feet, his son would join him there. Well, that has not happened. Also some speculated that because of certain draft choices that Aaron Kromer signed off on like Brian Allen & Bobby Evans and the lack of their growth led to his demise, but now Brian Allen is the linchpin of the offensive line and some might communicate that his growth in the middle saved the season for the Super Bowl Champions.

Aaron Kromer has moved on as he was hired by the Buffalo Bills taking over for the popular Bobby Johnson, who followed Offensive Coordinator Brian Daboll to New York, however, this sets up Father against Son come Thursday Night as surprisingly the Rams have kept the young Kromer now with the title as Offensive Assistant and not really sure where his focus is because it was with his Dad on the offensive line. Zak seems to be more involved with the with other aspects of the offense with the Offensive Line being handled by Kevin Carberry and assistant Nick Jones.

Overall, there comes a time where assistants just move on for whatever reasons and there is little debate that Kromer was an asset for the Rams during his time here being part of Sean McVay's original coaching staff, but it sets up an interesting dynamic come Thursday, September 8th as Buffalo shuffles off to Los Angeles to square up against the Super Bowl Champions in which Aaron Kromer who is back in Coaching, will be overseeing a unit to protect and serve their renown Field General in Josh Allen and although we might never truly understand why there was a parting of the ways, it will be Kromer vs. Kromer with the victor most likely being looked upon as the Super Bowl Favorite.

Indulge me, so watch this clip before reading or commenting if you would.

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Notice how Floyd and Miller criss cross in the backfield and Donald comes up the middle and ends the game.

Question: Do you remember when we didn't have another end in the years past to contain the ball and take advantage of having Donald push up the middle and devastate offenses?

I have a vote of no confidence with Hollins and Lewis as our guys on the edge to limit and keep offenses in the 'bubble of contain' .

Lewis would more likely have been a 1st round pick if he didn't have his awful and constant health issues.

Hollins is a great rotation and even temp starter but I don't see him as a difference maker like Floyd or Miller to maintain this defense and their dominance.

I was praying with our 3rd or 4th rounder Sam Williams DE from Ol Miss who the Cowboys took, would fall to us with his issues and we'd have the leadership/mentorship to take advantage of his skills and to keep him under control.

IMO we are going to have to make a trade for a consistent DE when management realizes this dual of players isn't able to get the job done and to compensate for this they are more than likely going to have to bring an extra blitzer ( Wagner or Jones) from that side.

Am I the only one that has a concern with the opposite side of Floyd and being able to produce consistently to a certain point? (obviously not the same as Von)

Must replace Von Miller!
Have to get a UFA Edge!
Gotta improve OLB!

From Rams.com---------------

"

Rams confident in current outside linebacker room heading into 2022 season​

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The perception, at least externally, was that the Rams needed to go outside their roster to find a replacement for outside linebacker Von Miller after Miller signed with the Bills as an unrestricted free agent.
Rams head coach Sean McVay and his staff thought otherwise.

Los Angeles did not address outside linebacker until the seventh round in this year's draft. It also did not sign a big-name free agent pass rusher at that position this offseason. Instead, reminiscent to the approach to the offensive line during the 2020 offseason, L.A. is sticking with its returning options and production to find someone to pair with Leonard Floyd this upcoming season.

"I think a lot of things (go into that confidence)," McVay said earlier this week. "When you go back to prior to acquiring Von last year, you see the production from Justin Hollins. Terrell Lewis played a lot of good football. We all saw really positive strides from Chris Garrett in the preseason. Leonard Floyd has been outstanding for us. And I think also, you acknowledge the fact that Von is such a unique player, but more than anything, it's a confidence in Justin Hollins, Terrell Lewis, the development (of Chris Garrett)."

Prior to Miller's arrival in early November last season, the Rams generated 25 sacks through their first eight games, notching three or more in all but two contests.

Within that, Hollins got off to a strong start with two sacks in their season-opening win over the Bears, before suffering a pec injury against the Buccaneers in Week 3 that would cause him to miss an extended period of time. Lewis had three consecutive games with a sack across Weeks 4-6. While Garrett only played in one regular season game, he flashed with 1.5 sacks against the Raiders in Week 2 of the preseason.

"As a group, we take pride in knowing that we can attack a quarterback," Garrett told theRams.com after Monday's organized team activity (OTA) practice. "We can hold it down. We know what we can do. We know it's going to be competitive to get that other spot or just even getting on the field."
That group pre-Miller also helped the Rams win seven of their first eight games.

"I think it just gives us the same confidence we kind of had going into the season last year," Lewis told theRams.com after Monday's OTA practice. "We knew last year we had the same group, so it really just was like, 'Ok, they trust that we'll get to the same point with the same mob that we had. We started out with 7-1 with this same group. They ultimately know who they have in their room and feel confident like, 'Ok, we can do well with this group.' Von was a great addition, it only took us to a higher level."

Of course, that's not to minimize the impact Miller had, as Lewis pointed out.

Statistically, Miller contributed five sacks in eight regular season games, then churned out four more in four playoff games as the Rams went on to win Super Bowl LVI over the Bengals. From an intangible standpoint, he taught the returning outside linebackers "little moves here and there" to use when rushing the passer, according to Hollins. At times, Hollins said it felt like they were at Miller's annual pass rush summit.

Now Hollins and the rest of the returnees will look to apply what they learned to reward the Rams' faith in them this season.
"I think we'll be just fine," Hollins said. "I don't think we need to go find anybody new, nothing like that. It would be crazy if I said we did anyway."------------------
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Of course the Rams aren't locked into going with the current group on the roster. They could sign somebody prior to camp, during camp or after camp cuts. But it shouldn't shock anybody if they don't. These were the same worries about the OL after 2019. The only difference is they obtained Von Miller for a half season and playoffs so there's the preception he has to be "replaced". "We wouldn't have won it all without him". Maybe. Maybe we would have won anyway. "We NEED a superstar Edge rusher". Sure would be nice but not exactly a necessity. I don't think it's a stretch to say, 'had we never obtained Miller and won the Superbowl, edge wouldn't even be a concern'. I remember after 1 year of Floyd at OLB, 'we had to resign him'. And once we did, things were fine. Floyd on the outside, Donald on the inside certainly seemed like enough.

I know it's early, but you never know who's gonna surprise.
Just a couple guys that have made an early impression.
If you don't have a script to this sight , It's well worth it, Just for Jourdan's Ram coverage alone.
Full article is very informative, but requires script
***************************************************************************************************************
• The standout player in seven-on-seven work was McCutcheon, the receiver out of Montana State. McCutcheon, who was one of the Rams’ undrafted free agents this spring, caught three impressive passes: one under contest in the short-middle of the field, a contested sideline grab and a touchdown catch over traffic in the back corner of the end zone. McCutcheon seems to have good size (he’s 6-3 and 202 pounds) and solid body control.

• Another UDFA I’m keeping an eye on: Benton Whitley, the 6-4, 260-pound outside linebacker out of Holy Cross. Whitley moved up a couple of spots in the pass-rush drilling line and in agility, tracking and bend drills moved very well.

Anyone see it?

I have not.

Not a question, as there’s only one answer. That name is Shane Falco. You get cooler just by saying it out loud.

Have you seen one?

We have threads on UFO's, and so why not for these? The supposedly true stories that I have heard tell of creatures found mostly in the deep woods of National Parks, but not always. Yetis, Bigfoots, Sasquatch seem to be the most prevalent. But there are also "Dogmen", which stand on two "feet" mostly, with dog legs and a ferocious wolf head, mostly. Sometimes large winged creatures are seen flying around Mt Raineer in Washington state, with 30ft wing spans. Sometimes the Cryptids sound like long extinct reptiles.

Park Ranger stories seem to be the norm, since they spend their time in remote places inside the Parks in which they work. Do you call BS, or are you a true believer like @Merlin ?

Too damn young...

McVay: Live blocking drills! WRs vs LBs!

Tutu:

LAS VEGAS -- The NFL lost a bid Wednesday to scuttle a lawsuit by former Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden accusing the league of a "malicious and orchestrated campaign" to force him to resign last October, including the leaking of offensive emails he wrote.
A Nevada judge ruled against the league on two key issues in a legal battle pitting the coach, who departed the Raiders with more than six seasons remaining on his record 10-year, $100 million contract, against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Attorneys for both sides declined to comment following a 90-minute hearing, although Gruden emerged from the courtroom declaring "Go Raiders." He told reporters as he walked to an elevator that he hoped his case against the league and Goodell would play out.
Clark County District Court Judge Nancy Allf refused requests by league attorney Kannon Shanmugam to dismiss Gruden's claim outright or to let the league move the dispute to arbitration.
The league has a responsibility to act, the league attorney argued, in cases involving "conduct detrimental to the best interest of the league or professional football."
Gruden accuses the NFL and Goodell of destroying his career and scuttling endorsement contracts by releasing emails that no one disputes Gruden sent — and that Shanmugam told the judge contained "racist, misogynistic and homophobic" language unfit for repetition in a public courtroom.
The emails came from among some 650,000 electronic messages obtained by the league almost a year ago during a probe of the workplace culture of the Washington NFL franchise now called the Commodes.

Earlier in the off-season I thought I understood our strategy with OBJ. No reason to sign him early for more than we're comfortable with, when there are other FA fits out there we might want to sign at CB or OLB. Well now the draft is done, we're stocked up at corner and traded for Troy Hill. We also seem comfortable heading into the year with Hollins/Lewis starting across from Floyd on a SB team (yikes). But okay we have some young kids that might develop. But now that there dont seem to be any impactful FAs left, I don't understand why were are waiting to up our offer to OBJ?

We know Odell wants to be in LA. By all accounts his surgery was great and rehab going well. Why risk letting a different team attract him away? We know GB and KC are interested, probably others as well. The impact he made down the stretch last year cannot be overstated. He was unstoppable in the red zone and barely knew our offense. Not to mention he had to build chemistry with Stafford on the fly. Theres no reason to doubt he will provide that again this year as we head into the latter part of 2022. Also, can you imagine him fully healthy in 2023 after a normal off-season with no rehab.

Im not suggesting giving him some monster deal, but he earned his money to some extent helping us win the SB. We have to show some loyalty and trust there. We have no one left to sign, the Kupp and AD extensions will create more cap space. Stop with the 1-yr incentive based bs offer and give him something slightly better so he doesn't leave for another championship contender. Heading into the 2023 playoffs with Kupp/ARob/OBJ/Higbee/Akers will make this offense unstoppable.