Arch Manning and Matt Stafford: Rams succession plan

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dieterbrock said:
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
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I think we are seeing what a rookie QB development path would look like. This is essentially Bennett's 2nd yea4 since he walked away during his rookie season.

So look at Bennett. He played all last preseason, had his ups and downs. This year he looks much better. Now he was a 4th rd pick who likley should have been a later pick.

So now envision a player with a higher ceiling, being handled the same way. Sits year one, but gets all the preseason reps, maybe some garbage time and a late season meaningless game start. Then by year 2 the kid might be ready to play. Assuming they get the right guy, a coachable and talented QB, there is no reason to think McVay can't have a quality starter in the guy's 2nd year.

Of course maybe you are forced to try to match what Payton did with Nix in Denver. In any event I am confident that McVay will get a quality QB in place and ready to go by the 27' season with maybe Garoppolo being the bridge, assuming Stafford retires in 26'.
 
PhillyRam said:
I think we are seeing what a rookie QB development path would look like. This is essentially Bennett's 2nd yea4 since he walked away during his rookie season.

So look at Bennett. He played all last preseason, had his ups and downs. This year he looks much better. Now he was a 4th rd pick who likley should have been a later pick.

So now envision a player with a higher ceiling, being handled the same way. Sits year one, but gets all the preseason reps, maybe some garbage time and a late season meaningless game start. Then by year 2 the kid might be ready to play. Assuming they get the right guy, a coachable and talented QB, there is no reason to think McVay can't have a quality starter in the guy's 2nd year.

Of course maybe you are forced to try to match what Payton did with Nix in Denver. In any event I am confident that McVay will get a quality QB in place and ready to go by the 27' season with maybe Garoppolo being the bridge, assuming Stafford retires in 26'.
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Totally agree. I think QB's can be successful if played right away, given it's with a top flight coach and they dont expect too much too soon, but I would prefer investing in a QB and letting him learn a bit from the sidelines.
If Bennett's improvement is genuine, even better. I'd love to see him back up Staff in '26 while they draft a QB in '26 draft to develop
So many variables at this point, all I hope for is for #9 to be healthy for this year and they can evaluate the QB class of '26 as they see fit
 
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Saying Arch isn't coming out this year is just a good way to keep some heat off the kid, imo.

His play will dictate whether he comes out this year.

It will also dictate what it will cost to jump up to draft him. With an extra first in hand.. what's the appetite for adding a third first and maybe more to get him, if he is available and all as advertised?
 
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If Stafford ends up on IR prior to the season, I expect the Rams to go with Garoppolo > Bennett. I don't think they're going to fuck around with draft capital for a season where not only Stafford's status but also Jackson's status is up in the air. Bottom line is you are unlikely to win shit when you don't have QB or LT and none of the QBs we could get prior to the deadline are much better, if at all, than Jimmy. Which is why I was thinking someone might try to shake him loose from us, well, prior to this back issue taking more shape with Stafford.

Also and again the Manning family are known screeners of potential teams for their QBs. I agree that Manning is very unlikely to come out, also that he has a ton to prove in college as it stands right now. And even if he were to surprise and come out the chances of the Rams drafting that high, when we saw McVay win 5 games in the SB hangover season with zero OL, is almost astronomically small. So I don't understand this continued and massive Manning boner the board has. I mean let me know if either we bomb in an epic manner or Atlanta does (which would be much more likely). Until then this shit's like talking about winning powerball.
 
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Merlin said:
If Stafford ends up on IR prior to the season, I expect the Rams to go with Garoppolo > Bennett. I don't think they're going to fuck around with draft capital for a season where not only Stafford's status but also Jackson's status is up in the air. Bottom line is you are unlikely to win shit when you don't have QB or LT and none of the QBs we could get prior to the deadline are much better, if at all, than Jimmy. Which is why I was thinking someone might try to shake him loose from us, well, prior to this back issue taking more shape with Stafford.

Also and again the Manning family are known screeners of potential teams for their QBs. I agree that Manning is very unlikely to come out, also that he has a ton to prove in college as it stands right now. And even if he were to surprise and come out the chances of the Rams drafting that high, when we saw McVay win 5 games in the SB hangover season with zero OL, is almost astronomically small. So I don't understand this continued and massive Manning boner the board has. I mean let me know if either we bomb in an epic manner or Atlanta does (which would be much more likely). Until then this shit's like talking about winning powerball.
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I hope this puts this thread to rest. Resurrect it next year if applicable.
 
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Saints fans would be heartbroken if the Rams draft Manning, even more so than the NRC non call. Sound good to me!

In recent weeks, New Orleans Saints fans have expressed various reactions to the potential of Arch Manning, grandson of Saints legend Archie Manning, potentially being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams.
The Saints fanbase has been hoping for Arch Manning to follow in his grandfather's footsteps and become the team's long-term franchise quarterback. However, recent reports from Archie Manning have indicated that Arch is unlikely to declare for the 2026 NFL draft and intends to remain at the University of Texas for the upcoming season. This news has led to a range of emotions among Saints fans, from humorous acceptance of continued struggle to frustration over the team's ongoing quarterback search.
The possibility of Arch Manning falling to the Rams in a later draft, or even being targeted by them in the future, could intensify the rivalry between the two teams, which already has a contentious history highlighted by events like the 2018 NFC Championship game.
Ultimately, the prospect of the Rams drafting Arch Manning while the Saints continue to search for their franchise quarterback has created a compelling narrative for both fan bases, adding another layer to their already heated rivalry.
 
Londoner said:
If Arch doesn't declare for the 2026 draft, does that mean that McSnead are likely to trade down in order to accumulate even more picks for 2027? :thinking:
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I think Stafford's back has made it clear they need to get the QB of the future in the room even if Jimmy G is a bridge and is brought back to start next year. That's especially true since Jimmy hasn't always been able to stay healthy.

Not to mention that there appears to be a deep QB class coming out. So they could possibly target a guy in rd 2 if they don't see a big drop off in ability between a guy they could draft at say 20 vs a guy they can move up for in rd 2 at say pick 40. Then again a guy like McVay will probably fall in love with one or two guys and will do what he can to get that guy.
 
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OldSchool said:
Since we decided to start another thread about this here's my thoughts again.

1) Arch goes first that's if he even declares which most people don't think he will so on that this is pointless or at least a year ahead of when it'll be relevant.

2) The only way he doesn't go first overall is if he and Texas absolutely suck and somebody else has an amazing year, like a Joe Burrow before his draft year.

3) Even if he's mediocre or a bit bad and declares he still goes first based off the hype and the pedigree if nobody has a year like I said above.
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If the Rams make the move early to move to #1, I have a hard time believing the Mannings wouldn’t have him come out. There’s no chance they miss a chance for him to work with McVay. ZERO.
 
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PhillyRam said:
I think Stafford's back has made it clear they need to get the QB of the future in the room even if Jimmy G is a bridge and is brought back to start next year. That's especially true since Jimmy hasn't always been able to stay healthy.

Not to mention that there appears to be a deep QB class coming out. So they could possibly target a guy in rd 2 if they don't see a big drop off in ability between a guy they could draft at say 20 vs a guy they can move up for in rd 2 at say pick 40. Then again a guy like McVay will probably fall in love with one or two guys and will do what he can to get that guy.
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Way I expect this to play out is you'll have the ones the desperate and shittiest teams desire at the top. Then that second group will go off the board late first round as teams move back into round 1 like the Giants just did.

So the Rams just need to beat them out for whatever second tier QB they prefer. Maybe jump five or so slots up vice sitting there and watching someone jump right in front of them to take their choice.
 
If Manning declares the Rams have 2 first rounders to dangle as trade bait for the top pick. Is it enough? Probably not if the team owning the pick needs a franchise quarterback. So who are the teams expected to be drafting in the top 3? Cleveland? Maybe. And they need a franchise quarterback. Doubt they'd trade away the top pick if they have it.

Tennessee? Maybe. They won't be picking a quarterback. The got theirs this year. So the possibility is there that they'd be open to trading it. But it will take more than the two firsts. Maybe the 2027 first too? Or maybe a second and 3rd round this year?

Giants? Maybe. They chose Dart in the first round but it was a late first rounder. They did trade up giving up a second and two 3rds. So it would seem like a waste to pick another quarterback after they invested that much in Dart.

If the team that has the top pick doesn't need a quarterback and is willing to trade down, what would it take if the Rams were interested? The two firsts, a second and a 3rd? Would that be enough? And would it be worth it for the Rams?
 
Colts might be a dark horse to win that #1 pick. Their quarterback situation is awful, relying on Anthony Richardson - if he's even healthy - and Daniel Jones. Their defense doesn't scare me much either.

I don't know if Arch wants to copy his uncle, but I guarantee that the Colts are going to be picking very high.
 
Mackeyser said:
If the Rams make the move early to move to #1, I have a hard time believing the Mannings wouldn’t have him come out. There’s no chance they miss a chance for him to work with McVay. ZERO.
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Arch Manning isn’t going to enter the draft until his family thinks he’s ready to start for an NFL team. They don’t want him sitting the bench for 2 seasons trying to learn from the sidelines. Even if it was under someone like McVay or Shanahan.

I’m going to keep saying it til I’m blue in the face but Arch is more likely to stay until 2028 than he is to come out after this season. The hype around this kid is absolutely out of control. He’s never started an SEC game and people are just assuming he’s going to be a generational talent. We saw him play last year. Nothing about it was generational. He looked like a college QB with potential that needed 2-3 more seasons under his belt.
 
Mackeyser said:
If the Rams make the move early to move to #1, I have a hard time believing the Mannings wouldn’t have him come out. There’s no chance they miss a chance for him to work with McVay. ZERO.
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And I think the people making this decision with him are very strong believers in the amount of starts he gets in college will be as big or bigger of a determining factor than anything else.
 
snackdaddy said:
If Manning declares the Rams have 2 first rounders to dangle as trade bait for the top pick. Is it enough? Probably not if the team owning the pick needs a franchise quarterback. So who are the teams expected to be drafting in the top 3? Cleveland? Maybe. And they need a franchise quarterback. Doubt they'd trade away the top pick if they have it.

Tennessee? Maybe. They won't be picking a quarterback. The got theirs this year. So the possibility is there that they'd be open to trading it. But it will take more than the two firsts. Maybe the 2027 first too? Or maybe a second and 3rd round this year?

Giants? Maybe. They chose Dart in the first round but it was a late first rounder. They did trade up giving up a second and two 3rds. So it would seem like a waste to pick another quarterback after they invested that much in Dart.

If the team that has the top pick doesn't need a quarterback and is willing to trade down, what would it take if the Rams were interested? The two firsts, a second and a 3rd? Would that be enough? And would it be worth it for the Rams?
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Maybe 3 firsts and maybe those firsts spread over 3 yrs. So maybe we keep one, but have to give one up each of the next 3 drafts, plus a 2 and or a 3 somewhere along the line.
 
The Stafford succession plan needs to start soon. So either the Rams choose a quarterback in the first round in next year‘s draft (Plan A) or they go after proven vet (Plan B). I prefer they only use one of their first rounders next year to do Plan A or Plan B leaving a pick for a starting caliber left offensive tackle.
 
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PhillyRam said:
McShay on QB tiers for the 26' draft... interesting discussion.


View: https://youtu.be/W7_Mz_Filb0?si=oPpG1_E-7EO4jKts
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I watched this and McShay echoed one of my points earlier in the thread….which is that the Manning Family cares deeply about college football. They don’t look at it as merely a launching pad to the league. They think the institution of college football is incredibly important. Both Eli and Peyton stayed til their senior seasons even though they were projected first round picks after their junior year. I promise they are going to want Arch to have the full experience. Not only because it will help him be prepared for the next level, but also because they all found their college experiences to be deeply enriching and foundational to what they accomplished in the league.
 
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