Los Angeles Rams 2025 Season Preview
By: Michael Higgins
(Image courtesy of Joe Nicholson/IMAGN Images)
The Los Angeles Rams have held onto their competitive window for a longer time than expected due to excellent draft classes and managing the salary cap well. Les Snead has done well to capitalize on Matthew Stafford’s better years and, while Stafford may be on the decline due to age and injuries, the team is going all in on a Super Bowl in 2025.
Trades: Snead made a trade in the offseason that will that signaled a change in the identity of the 2025 Rams. To start, they traded IOL Jonah Jackson to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 6th round pick.
Departures: The team did not let too much talent walk in the offseason. The most notable name was former All-Pro WR Cooper Kupp. In addition to Kupp, WR Tyler Johnson, WR Demarcus Robinson, TE Hunter Long, OT Joe Noteboom, EDGE Michael Hoecht, DT Neville Gallimore, DT Bobby Brown III, LB Christian Rozeboom, and SAF John Johnson will not be returning in 2025.
Additions: The Rams’ big offseason acquisition was signing WR Davante Adams to a two-year contract. They also signed C Coleman Shelton and DT Poona Ford to multi-year contracts, as well. OT DJ Humphries was brought in on a one-year deal to serve as a high-end swing tackle.
Draft Selections: The draft did not see the Rams introduce themselves until Day 2, as they did not have a 1st round pick. In the 2nd round, they took Oregon TE Terrance Ferguson to pair with Tyler Higbee. Their other Day 2 pick was Michigan EDGE Josaiah Stewart. Stewart will provide nice depth in an already talented edge room. They made fantastic selections in Day 3; DT Ty Hamilton, RB Jarquez Hunter, LB Pooh Paul Jr, and WR Konata Mumpfield should all have an impact on the team during the season. Mumpfield was a 7th round pick but he has had a fantastic camp and preseason so I believe he will make the roster. Another name to keep in mind is LB Shaun Dolac. Dolac is a UDFA out of Buffalo, but he has played as well as any linebacker in the preseason. As a UDFA, the path to a roster spot is more difficult, but I would not be surprised if he made it.
Los Angeles is expected to be one of the top teams in the NFC and are looked at by most as the best team in the NFC West.
Season Predictions: The Rams start the season at home against the Texans, go on the road to play No. 1 overall pick in QB Cam Ward, on the road again to play the Eagles, and finish the opening month at home against the Colts. The Rams will start the season 3-1.
October starts on Thursday Night Football at home against the 49ers. They follow that with two road games against the Ravens and Jaguars. October concludes with a Week 8 bye. The Rams go 1-2 in October.
Out of the bye, they host the Saints, play the 49ers in San Francisco, host the Seahawks, host the Buccaneers, and play the Panthers in Carolina. Los Angeles goes 4-1 in November.
The final stretch of the Rams’ season starts in Arizona against the Cardinals, they host the Lions Week 15, travel to Seattle to play the Seahawks for Thursday Night Football, play the Falcons in Atlanta, and finish the season by hosting the Cardinals. I have the Rams going 3-2 in this stretch.
Final Thoughts: The Rams will go 11-6 in 2025 and compete to be the NFC’s representative in the Super Bowl. If they can keep relatively healthy, they will be a tough out as they have a dynamic defense and a reliable offense. Injuries are a major concern on the offensive side of the ball, so it is hard to bet on them to go far in the playoffs.
