Arch Manning and Matt Stafford: Rams succession plan

[jjab360]

Yes and I have the same problem admittedly. However I think you and I have the right of it as it pertains to what Bennett's emergence potentially means.

Nobody thinks Bennett is anything more than a QB2. In this moment, though, and given the pieces on the chessboard, his potential emergence (which for the record would be defined as he continues playing like this through the rest of the preseason sched) has the potential to unlock a move of Garoppolo.

Rams have until the trade deadline to cash in on Garoppolo. When another team inevitably suffers an injury and ends up in QB hell for this season, and are desperate to find an answer, they're going to look at options like him, Cousins, etc. And of those options Jimmy is very high on the list. So he will inevitably get attention.

If that happens everyone wins. Jimmy wins a starting job. Bennett wins a backup role. Some team wins a QB. Rams win another pick in a draft where they may have plans to move up for a QB.

I agree the Patriot and Whiner stink was putrid but it's washing off over time.

The reality is that Jimmy G is a proven asset in a pinch with a quick release, processing speed, and accuracy that have kept him relevant for much longer than his otherwise average arm talent that would have had him out of the league a long time ago. If things go sidewise with Stafford's back this is still a Superbowl competitive team with Jimmy G like he had the Whiners going for a long time.

I appreciate that Stetson is now mentally present and the game is slowing down for him but he has still has a long way to go before I can say I'd feel comfortable with him leading the team long term if Stafford goes down. Still leagues ahead of guys like Wolford or Bryce Perkins as a QB3 though.

 

[jjab360]

I read that Manning is staying in school through 2026. I wonder if the Falcons ended up stinking, would he change his mind.

If Manning plays to his abilities and the Falcons are bad enough for the Rams to pull a pre-draft 2016 trade to the no.1 pick before the declaration date his people would convince him that it's time to make the move.

 

[Spider2YB]

If Manning plays to his abilities and the Falcons are bad enough for the Rams to pull a pre-draft 2016 trade to the no.1 pick before the declaration date his people would convince him that it's time to make the move.

What do you mean, “play to his abilities”? No one knows what his abilities are. He’s started a total of 2 games vs bad teams. There are other QBs in this draft that have much more experience and have looked significantly better on film. If his last name was Johnson instead of Manning, he would be getting 1/10000th of the hype. Not a soul on Earth would be talking about him as a top draft pick next year. They’d be pontificating if he’d be a good college QB, not penciling him in for the first pick.

 

[HitStick]

What do you mean, “play to his abilities”? No one knows what his abilities are. He’s started a total of 2 games vs bad teams. There are other QBs in this draft that have much more experience and have looked significantly better on film. If his last name was Johnson instead of Manning, he would be getting 1/10000th of the hype. Not a soul on Earth would be talking about him as a top draft pick next year. They’d be pontificating if he’d be a good college QB, not penciling him in for the first pick.

I also don’t think one season as a starter is going to overtake others who have multiple years of good QB play. The name does it all for him.

 

[PARAM]

What do you mean, “play to his abilities”? No one knows what his abilities are. He’s started a total of 2 games vs bad teams. There are other QBs in this draft that have much more experience and have looked significantly better on film. If his last name was Johnson instead of Manning, he would be getting 1/10000th of the hype. Not a soul on Earth would be talking about him as a top draft pick next year. They’d be pontificating if he’d be a good college QB, not penciling him in for the first pick.

^^^^ This ^^^^

He's a Manning. Beyond that, what do we really know about him? All the scouts rave about him. Why? Based on 95 pass attempts? Hell they saw 797 pass attempts by Jamarcus Russell and obviously got that wrong! 863 on Johnny Manziel and ditto. Or are their evaluations based on his lineage? I'd have to wonder. We have to see how he plays this year to know if he may be the real deal or not. Talking heads who go by what they've actually seen may not have him rated that high. Phil Steele has him ranked as the #2 QB though.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

I also don’t think one season as a starter is going to overtake others who have multiple years of good QB play. The name does it all for him.

Completely disagree here. If Manning balls out this year, he'll go number 1 if he comes out for the 26 draft. The NFL loves potential especially when it's attached to a historic family name. The media would essentially be licking the kids balls and all if that happened, they can't help themselves

 

[PARAM]

The AP top ten & their QBs:

Texas (Manning)
Penn St. (Allar)
Ohio St. (Sayin?)
Clemson (Klubnik)
Georgia (Stockton)
Notre Dame (Carr?)
Oregon (Moore)
Alabama (Simpson)
LSU (Nussmeier)
Miami (Beck)

11-15:

Arizona St. (Leavitt)
Illinois (Altmyer)
S. Carolina (Sellers)
Michigan (Underwood?)
Florida (Lagway)

16-20:

SMU (Jennings/VanDyke?)
K-State (Johnson)
Oklahoma (Mateer)
Texas A & M (Reed)
Indiana (Mendoza)

Phil Steele's top 10 QBs / top 25 QBs (draft eligible)

 

[dieterbrock]

The AP top ten & their QBs:

Texas (Manning)
Penn St. (Allar)
Ohio St. (Sayin?)
Clemson (Klubnik)
Georgia (Stockton)
Notre Dame (Carr?)
Oregon (Moore)
Alabama (Simpson)
LSU (Nussmeier)
Miami (Beck)

11-15:

Arizona St. (Leavitt)
Illinois (Altmyer)
S. Carolina (Sellers)
Michigan (Underwood?)
Florida (Lagway)

16-20:

SMU (Jennings/VanDyke?)
K-State (Johnson)
Oklahoma (Mateer)
Texas A & M (Reed)
Indiana (Mendoza)

Phil Steele's top 10 QBs / top 25 QBs (draft eligible)

Good stuff!
I think its safe to say that after Stafford's back issue, it would be absolutely shocking to not see them come away with a QB in the '26 draft

 

[Merlin]

I wouldn't draft Beck with Atlanta's pick. But no seriously I don't like him at all and would avoid him unless he falls into mid to late rounds. However I will say it will be interesting to see how he plays under Cristobal, who I am a big fan of. That offense he stacked last year was legit.

 

[PARAM]

I wouldn't draft Beck with Atlanta's pick. But no seriously I don't like him at all and would avoid him unless he falls into mid to late rounds. However I will say it will be interesting to see how he plays under Cristobal, who I am a big fan of. That offense he stacked last year was legit.

I've read good things about Leavitt, Mateer and Mendoza. If we figure 3 first round QBs (if Manning doesn't come out) being Allar, Nussmeier and Klubnik, along with the three I mentioned, it gives the Rams 6 possibilities at different levels of the draft. And hell, they may have their eyes on somebody other than those 6, like Beck or Sellers.

 

[Merlin]

I've read good things about Leavitt, Mateer and Mendoza. If we figure 3 first round QBs (if Manning doesn't come out) being Sellers, Nussmeier and Klubnik, along with the 3 I mentioned give 6 possibilities for the Rams at different levels of the draft.

Those 3 do seem like they're gonna go high, though a lot can change in a year. In the 2026 draft I will say that if the Rams like one of them they're not gonna fuck around. They will jump and get him. Because other teams will have the Rams marked as a team to jump in front of if they want QB, just like the Giants did in this past draft.

It would be really nice if they can come out of round 1 with a QB and LT. Also what would be nice is if they don't like the options move down with one of those picks and add a 2027 first rounder. And of course can you imagine if Atlanta were to tank this year?

 

[PARAM]

Those 3 do seem like they're gonna go high, though a lot can change in a year. In the 2026 draft I will say that if the Rams like one of them they're not gonna fuck around. They will jump and get him. Because other teams will have the Rams marked as a team to jump in front of if they want QB, just like the Giants did in this past draft.

It would be really nice if they can come out of round 1 with a QB and LT. Also what would be nice is if they don't like the options move down with one of those picks and add a 2027 first rounder. And of course can you imagine if Atlanta were to tank this year?

Yeah, the thought of trading one of next years firsts for a 2027 first really sounds like a legit plan. And let's be honest, the entire "plan" depends on the health of #9......if he has a good year and decides he wants to continue, there is no serious need to get a QB in the first round of the 2026 draft.

On his back issues.....what is his level of pain? I've had a bad back for-ever and there are some days when there is discomfort but not pain but I know that discomfort could turn into much more if I perform physical work. Then there are other days when it's perfectly fine and after physical work, I'm down for a day or two.

 

[dieterbrock]

Yeah, the thought of trading one of next years firsts for a 2027 first really sounds like a legit plan. And let's be honest, the entire "plan" depends on the health of #9......if he has a good year and decides he wants to continue, there is no serious need to get a QB in the first round of the 2026 draft.

On his back issues.....what is his level of pain? I've had a bad back for-ever and there are some days when there is discomfort but not pain but I know that discomfort could turn into much more if I perform physical work. Then there are other days when it's perfectly fine and after physical work, I'm down for a day or two.

Stafford only has 2 years left on his contract so they really need to get a QB in '26 who they can give the Mahomes treatment of watching for the year, even play late. Even before the back stuff I thought Staff was 50/50 for '26, now I'm not so sure.
If they wait until '27, they're likely starting a rookie QB

 

[PARAM]

Stafford only has 2 years left on his contract so they really need to get a QB in '26 who they can give the Mahomes treatment of watching for the year, even play late. Even before the back stuff I thought Staff was 50/50 for '26, now I'm not so sure.
If they wait until '27, they're likely starting a rookie QB

Surely, it all depends on his health and what management believes is the best way to move forward.

There's the school of thought, a rookie sitting a year behind an established QB is better than throwing him right into the fire. Then there is the school of thought, you learn by playing. There is also that school of thought that many times, a young QB thrown into the fire on a bad team can ruin the kid. But the Rams ARE NOT a bad team. So there are many things to consider when it comes to the succession plan.

 

[dieterbrock]

Surely, it all depends on his health and what management believes is the best way to move forward.

There's the school of thought, a rookie sitting a year behind an established QB is better than throwing him right into the fire. Then there is the school of thought, you learn by playing. There is also that school of thought that many times, a young QB thrown into the fire on a bad team can ruin the kid. But the Rams ARE NOT a bad team. So there are many things to consider when it comes to the succession plan.

Nothing the Rams do surprises me, but starting a rookie QB or signing a bridge QB to sit the rookie QB, just doesnt seem like the way they would do it
Best case scenario is Stafford playing 2026, although that looks less and less likely

 

[Merlin]

Stafford only has 2 years left on his contract so they really need to get a QB in '26 who they can give the Mahomes treatment of watching for the year, even play late. Even before the back stuff I thought Staff was 50/50 for '26, now I'm not so sure.
If they wait until '27, they're likely starting a rookie QB

Old + hard miles + contract issues + strong QB draft + 2 first round picks = obvious call.

 

[OldSchool]

View: https://youtu.be/Z1X4ReDNcP8?si=t72xYs85ixb9WQ-A

 

[muggmeister]

What do you mean, “play to his abilities”? No one knows what his abilities are. He’s started a total of 2 games vs bad teams. There are other QBs in this draft that have much more experience and have looked significantly better on film. If his last name was Johnson instead of Manning, he would be getting 1/10000th of the hype. Not a soul on Earth would be talking about him as a top draft pick next year. They’d be pontificating if he’d be a good college QB, not penciling him in for the first pick.

He was either QB1 or QB2 in the entire country when he selected Texas, he would always have had some hype, but yea, the Manning name does elevate it.