Copy of Can Rams, Stafford repeat 2025 success with simila...

Takes mentioned in this episode

• Matthew Stafford player · positive

  “His 4,707 passing yards and 46 passing touchdowns led the league. He was named the NFL MVP for the 2025 season.”

  Stafford achieved league-leading statistics and won MVP award in 2025 season

• Los Angeles Rams team · positive

  “As the Rams begin their 2026 offseason program...”

  The team is structuring its training camp to support Stafford.

• Sean McVay player · positive

  “McVay said the team wants to 'keep a very similar approach.'”

  Head coach Sean McVay discusses the training camp strategy for Stafford.

• Los Angeles Rams team · positive

  “As the Rams begin their 2026 offseason program...”

  The team is structuring its training camp to support Stafford's longevity.

• Sean McVay player · positive

  “McVay said the team wants to 'keep a very similar approach.'”

  Sean McVay is discussing the training camp strategy for Matthew Stafford.

• Ty Simpson player · neutral

  “...the Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 pick in April's draft.”

  Ty Simpson is a new addition to the Rams' quarterback room.

• Stetson Bennett IV player · neutral

  “...Simpson will compete with 2023 fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett IV for the backup quarterback role...”

  Bennett is competing with Simpson for the backup spot.

• Matthew Stafford player · positive

  “Stafford did not miss a practice all season and played some of the best football of his career.”

  The Rams are planning their offseason program for Stafford's 18th season.

• Jimmy Garoppolo player · positive

  “I thought Jimmy did a hell of a job keeping our guys sharp and getting us ready to go.”

  Stafford praises Garoppolo's performance as the backup quarterback.

• Matthew Stafford player · positive

  “Stafford did not miss a practice all season and played some of the best football of his career.”

  The Rams are planning their offseason program for Stafford's 18th NFL season.

• Jimmy Garoppolo player · positive

  “While Los Angeles was hoping to re-sign Jimmy Garoppolo...”

  Garoppolo served as the backup quarterback for the Rams.

• Sean McVay coach · positive

  “McVay said the team wants to 'keep a very similar approach.' The key, McVay said, is 'the autonomy that [Stafford has] earned where he and I really collaborate' with the team's medical and strength staff.”

  McVay implementing strategic approach to manage Stafford's workload and maintain his peak performance

• Matthew Stafford player · positive

  “Stafford did not miss a practice all season and played some of the best football of his career.”

  Stafford maintained perfect attendance and elite performance throughout 2025 season

• Stetson Bennett IV player · positive

  “McVay said Simpson will compete with 2023 fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett IV for the backup quarterback role”

  Bennett is expected to compete with Ty Simpson for the backup spot.

• Jimmy Garoppolo player · positive

  “McVay has said multiple times that he considers Garoppolo to be capable of being a starting quarterback, which allowed the Rams to operate their offense and 'be able to give looks to the defense that we were able to still get better as a team even though the MVP of the league wasn't able to participate in the majority of training camp,' McVay said.”

  McVay praised Garoppolo's capability as a starting-caliber backup who enabled team development

• Matthew Stafford player · neutral

  “I missed a ton of time in training camp. I thought Jimmy did a hell of a job keeping our guys sharp and getting us ready to go. I'm really appreciative of him for that. Our group did a great job and got ready to go. Then obviously I was able to come back in late in the game there and feel good enough to go play.”

  Stafford reflecting on missing training camp due to back injury but appreciating team's preparation

• Los Angeles Rams team · positive

  “As the Rams and Matthew Stafford prepared for the quarterback's 17th season in the spring of 2025, they wanted to take away some of his mental load during the offseason program.”

  Rams implementing strategic player management approach for MVP quarterback

• Ty Simpson player · neutral

  “the Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 pick in April's draft.”

  The Rams drafted Ty Simpson to compete for the backup role.

• Matthew Stafford player · negative

  “While the time away from the offseason was refreshing for Stafford, the inability to practice during training camp was not. Stafford called that time 'challenging,' saying, 'all I want to do is practice, play, get out there and be with the guys.'”

  Stafford found the training camp absence mentally challenging despite appreciating offseason flexibility

• Ty Simpson player · neutral

  “the Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 pick in April's draft. While McVay said Simpson will compete with 2023 fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett IV for the backup quarterback role, both players are expected to get significant reps during training camp and likely the preseason as well.”

  Simpson drafted as backup QB prospect to compete for roster spot

• Stetson Bennett IV player · neutral

  “While McVay said Simpson will compete with 2023 fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett IV for the backup quarterback role, both players are expected to get significant reps during training camp and likely the preseason as well.”

  Bennett competing for backup QB role against newly drafted Simpson

• Jimmy Garoppolo player · negative

  “While Los Angeles was hoping to re-sign Jimmy Garoppolo, who served in the role for the Rams the past two seasons, he is considering retirement. While McVay acknowledged Garoppolo could return, he said it is unlikely.”

  Garoppolo's uncertain future with team as he considers retirement

• Green Bay Packers team · neutral

  “Sarah BarshopMay 15, 2026, 06:00 AM ETCloseSarah Barshop covers the Los Angeles Rams for ESPN. She joined ESPN in 2016 to cover the Green Bay Packers for ESPN Milwaukee. She then moved to Houston to cover the Texans. She came to ESPN after working as a writer and editor for Sports Illustrated.Multiple AuthorsLOS ANGELES -- As the Rams and Matthew Stafford prepared for the quarterback's 17th season in the spring of 2025, they wanted to take away some of his mental load during the offseason program.For Stafford, that meant doing some of the Rams' organized team activities from home, where he has a gym and access to the entire Rams film system.That approach -- which allowed him to spend more time with his family instead of being at the facility for what head coach Sean McVay called the "monotonous parts of the offseason program" -- helped Stafford go into the season fresher than he has in years past.And while not the intention heading into the offseason, Stafford had a lighter physical load during training camp too. After injuring his back between the offseason program and the start of training camp, Stafford did not throw for a significant portion of the summer. He returned to practice on Aug. 18.Stafford did not miss a practice all season and played some of the best football of his career. His 4,707 passing yards and 46 passing touchdowns led the league. He was named the NFL MVP for the 2025 season.As the Rams begin their 2026 offseason program -- heading into the 38-year-old's 18th NFL season -- McVay said the team wants to "keep a very similar approach."The key, McVay said, is "the autonomy that [Stafford has] earned where he and I really collaborate" with the team's medical and strength staff."I think the most important thing is when you're going into Year 18, how do we keep you as physically, emotionally and mentally fresh as possible?" McVay said.And while Stafford "loves to get out there and get the work in," McVay said, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Rams modify a training camp schedule for a healthy Stafford. Along with not playing key starters during the preseason, McVay has also typically built in rest days during training camp for veteran players. Last season, most players who were past or heading into their 10th NFL season had a day off practice every five days or so."[During] training camp [last year], we learned some stuff where you're saying, 'OK, what can we apply even though that wasn't necessarily by design that can allow [Stafford] to be at his best?'" McVay said. "We haven't gotten to that, but we are going to take a similar approach to the offseason. He has a real strict regimen that he's already on and the ownership and autonomy that he has is exactly what we wanted to be able to keep going. That's why it was important."It's the way the Rams want to structure Stafford that made the backup quarterback position so important. While Los Angeles was hoping to re-sign Jimmy Garoppolo, who served in the role for the Rams the past two seasons, he is considering retirement. While McVay acknowledged Garoppolo could return, he said it is unlikely.That need at backup is no longer as pressing because the Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 pick in April's draft. While McVay said Simpson will compete with 2023 fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett IV for the backup quarterback role, both players are expected to get significant reps during training camp and likely the preseason as well."Being able to add another quarterback into the mix [in Simpson] allows us to operate in a manner where you're saying, 'Hey, what's the priority? How do we keep our guy feeling as good as possible and being able to do that without allowing it to fall off too much?'" McVay said. "That was where Jimmy was so valuable last year in the absence of Matthew during training camp."Last training camp, Garoppolo took the first-team reps while Bennett took the second-team snaps. Bennett also started and played all of the Rams' first two preseason games.McVay has said multiple times that he considers Garoppolo to be capable of being a starting quarterback, which allowed the Rams to operate their offense and "be able to give looks to the defense that we were able to still get better as a team even though the MVP of the league wasn't able to participate in the majority of training camp," McVay said."I missed a ton of time in training camp," Stafford said midway through the 2025 season. "I thought Jimmy did a hell of a job keeping our guys sharp and getting us ready to go. I'm really appreciative of him for that. Our group did a great job and got ready to go. Then obviously I was able to come back in late in the game there and feel good enough to go play."While the time away from the offseason was refreshing for Stafford, the inability to practice during training camp was not. Stafford called that time "challenging," saying, "all I want to do is practice, play, get out there and be with the guys."So while the Rams do not want to totally duplicate their offseason and training camp plans for Stafford, McVay says the team does see the importance of taking that similar approach."That's important to us," McVay said. "That's something we thought about and it'll be a very similar approach. As far as training camp, we'll see how we get through the offseason and then be able to go down that road."”

  Sarah BarshopMay 15, 2026, 06:00 AM ETCloseSarah Barshop covers the Los Angeles Rams for ESPN. She joined ESPN in 2016 to cover the Green Bay Packers for ESPN Milwaukee. She then moved to Houston to cover the Texans. She came to ESPN after working as a writer and editor for Sports Illustrated.Multiple AuthorsLOS ANGELES -- As the Rams and Matthew Stafford prepared for the quarterback's 17th season in the spring of 2025, they wanted to take away some of his mental load during the offseason program.For Stafford, that meant doing some of the Rams' organized team activities from home, where he has a gym and access to the entire Rams film system.That approach -- which allowed him to spend more time with his family instead of being at the facility for what head coach Sean McVay called the "monotonous parts of the offseason program" -- helped Stafford go into the season fresher than he has in years past.And while not the intention heading into the offseason, Stafford had a lighter physical load during training camp too. After injuring his back between the offseason program and the start of training camp, Stafford did not throw for a significant portion of the summer. He returned to practice on Aug. 18.Stafford did not miss a practice all season and played some of the best football of his career. His 4,707 passing yards and 46 passing touchdowns led the league. He was named the NFL MVP for the 2025 season.As the Rams begin their 2026 offseason program -- heading into the 38-year-old's 18th NFL season -- McVay said the team wants to "keep a very similar approach."The key, McVay said, is "the autonomy that [Stafford has] earned where he and I really collaborate" with the team's medical and strength staff."I think the most important thing is when you're going into Year 18, how do we keep you as physically, emotionally and mentally fresh as possible?" McVay said.And while Stafford "loves to get out there and get the work in," McVay said, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Rams modify a training camp schedule for a healthy Stafford. Along with not playing key starters during the preseason, McVay has also typically built in rest days during training camp for veteran players. Last season, most players who were past or heading into their 10th NFL season had a day off practice every five days or so."[During] training camp [last year], we learned some stuff where you're saying, 'OK, what can we apply even though that wasn't necessarily by design that can allow [Stafford] to be at his best?'" McVay said. "We haven't gotten to that, but we are going to take a similar approach to the offseason. He has a real strict regimen that he's already on and the ownership and autonomy that he has is exactly what we wanted to be able to keep going. That's why it was important."It's the way the Rams want to structure Stafford that made the backup quarterback position so important. While Los Angeles was hoping to re-sign Jimmy Garoppolo, who served in the role for the Rams the past two seasons, he is considering retirement. While McVay acknowledged Garoppolo could return, he said it is unlikely.That need at backup is no longer as pressing because the Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 pick in April's draft. While McVay said Simpson will compete with 2023 fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett IV for the backup quarterback role, both players are expected to get significant reps during training camp and likely the preseason as well."Being able to add another quarterback into the mix [in Simpson] allows us to operate in a manner where you're saying, 'Hey, what's the priority? How do we keep our guy feeling as good as possible and being able to do that without allowing it to fall off too much?'" McVay said. "That was where Jimmy was so valuable last year in the absence of Matthew during training camp."Last training camp, Garoppolo took the first-team reps while Bennett took the second-team snaps. Bennett also started and played all of the Rams' first two preseason games.McVay has said multiple times that he considers Garoppolo to be capable of being a starting quarterback, which allowed the Rams to operate their offense and "be able to give looks to the defense that we were able to still get better as a team even though the MVP of the league wasn't able to participate in the majority of training camp," McVay said."I missed a ton of time in training camp," Stafford said midway through the 2025 season. "I thought Jimmy did a hell of a job keeping our guys sharp and getting us ready to go. I'm really appreciative of him for that. Our group did a great job and got ready to go. Then obviously I was able to come back in late in the game there and feel good enough to go play."While the time away from the offseason was refreshing for Stafford, the inability to practice during training camp was not. Stafford called that time "challenging," saying, "all I want to do is practice, play, get out there and be with the guys."So while the Rams do not want to totally duplicate their offseason and training camp plans for Stafford, McVay says the team does see the importance of taking that similar approach."That's important to us," McVay said. "That's something we thought about and it'll be a very similar approach. As far as training camp, we'll see how we get through the offseason and then be able to go down that road."

• Los Angeles Rams team · neutral

  “Sarah BarshopMay 15, 2026, 06:00 AM ETCloseSarah Barshop covers the Los Angeles Rams for ESPN. She joined ESPN in 2016 to cover the Green Bay Packers for ESPN Milwaukee. She then moved to Houston to cover the Texans. She came to ESPN after working as a writer and editor for Sports Illustrated.Multiple AuthorsLOS ANGELES -- As the Rams and Matthew Stafford prepared for the quarterback's 17th season in the spring of 2025, they wanted to take away some of his mental load during the offseason program.For Stafford, that meant doing some of the Rams' organized team activities from home, where he has a gym and access to the entire Rams film system.That approach -- which allowed him to spend more time with his family instead of being at the facility for what head coach Sean McVay called the "monotonous parts of the offseason program" -- helped Stafford go into the season fresher than he has in years past.And while not the intention heading into the offseason, Stafford had a lighter physical load during training camp too. After injuring his back between the offseason program and the start of training camp, Stafford did not throw for a significant portion of the summer. He returned to practice on Aug. 18.Stafford did not miss a practice all season and played some of the best football of his career. His 4,707 passing yards and 46 passing touchdowns led the league. He was named the NFL MVP for the 2025 season.As the Rams begin their 2026 offseason program -- heading into the 38-year-old's 18th NFL season -- McVay said the team wants to "keep a very similar approach."The key, McVay said, is "the autonomy that [Stafford has] earned where he and I really collaborate" with the team's medical and strength staff."I think the most important thing is when you're going into Year 18, how do we keep you as physically, emotionally and mentally fresh as possible?" McVay said.And while Stafford "loves to get out there and get the work in," McVay said, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Rams modify a training camp schedule for a healthy Stafford. Along with not playing key starters during the preseason, McVay has also typically built in rest days during training camp for veteran players. Last season, most players who were past or heading into their 10th NFL season had a day off practice every five days or so."[During] training camp [last year], we learned some stuff where you're saying, 'OK, what can we apply even though that wasn't necessarily by design that can allow [Stafford] to be at his best?'" McVay said. "We haven't gotten to that, but we are going to take a similar approach to the offseason. He has a real strict regimen that he's already on and the ownership and autonomy that he has is exactly what we wanted to be able to keep going. That's why it was important."It's the way the Rams want to structure Stafford that made the backup quarterback position so important. While Los Angeles was hoping to re-sign Jimmy Garoppolo, who served in the role for the Rams the past two seasons, he is considering retirement. While McVay acknowledged Garoppolo could return, he said it is unlikely.That need at backup is no longer as pressing because the Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 pick in April's draft. While McVay said Simpson will compete with 2023 fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett IV for the backup quarterback role, both players are expected to get significant reps during training camp and likely the preseason as well."Being able to add another quarterback into the mix [in Simpson] allows us to operate in a manner where you're saying, 'Hey, what's the priority? How do we keep our guy feeling as good as possible and being able to do that without allowing it to fall off too much?'" McVay said. "That was where Jimmy was so valuable last year in the absence of Matthew during training camp."Last training camp, Garoppolo took the first-team reps while Bennett took the second-team snaps. Bennett also started and played all of the Rams' first two preseason games.McVay has said multiple times that he considers Garoppolo to be capable of being a starting quarterback, which allowed the Rams to operate their offense and "be able to give looks to the defense that we were able to still get better as a team even though the MVP of the league wasn't able to participate in the majority of training camp," McVay said."I missed a ton of time in training camp," Stafford said midway through the 2025 season. "I thought Jimmy did a hell of a job keeping our guys sharp and getting us ready to go. I'm really appreciative of him for that. Our group did a great job and got ready to go. Then obviously I was able to come back in late in the game there and feel good enough to go play."While the time away from the offseason was refreshing for Stafford, the inability to practice during training camp was not. Stafford called that time "challenging," saying, "all I want to do is practice, play, get out there and be with the guys."So while the Rams do not want to totally duplicate their offseason and training camp plans for Stafford, McVay says the team does see the importance of taking that similar approach."That's important to us," McVay said. "That's something we thought about and it'll be a very similar approach. As far as training camp, we'll see how we get through the offseason and then be able to go down that road."”

  Sarah BarshopMay 15, 2026, 06:00 AM ETCloseSarah Barshop covers the Los Angeles Rams for ESPN. She joined ESPN in 2016 to cover the Green Bay Packers for ESPN Milwaukee. She then moved to Houston to cover the Texans. She came to ESPN after working as a writer and editor for Sports Illustrated.Multiple AuthorsLOS ANGELES -- As the Rams and Matthew Stafford prepared for the quarterback's 17th season in the spring of 2025, they wanted to take away some of his mental load during the offseason program.For Stafford, that meant doing some of the Rams' organized team activities from home, where he has a gym and access to the entire Rams film system.That approach -- which allowed him to spend more time with his family instead of being at the facility for what head coach Sean McVay called the "monotonous parts of the offseason program" -- helped Stafford go into the season fresher than he has in years past.And while not the intention heading into the offseason, Stafford had a lighter physical load during training camp too. After injuring his back between the offseason program and the start of training camp, Stafford did not throw for a significant portion of the summer. He returned to practice on Aug. 18.Stafford did not miss a practice all season and played some of the best football of his career. His 4,707 passing yards and 46 passing touchdowns led the league. He was named the NFL MVP for the 2025 season.As the Rams begin their 2026 offseason program -- heading into the 38-year-old's 18th NFL season -- McVay said the team wants to "keep a very similar approach."The key, McVay said, is "the autonomy that [Stafford has] earned where he and I really collaborate" with the team's medical and strength staff."I think the most important thing is when you're going into Year 18, how do we keep you as physically, emotionally and mentally fresh as possible?" McVay said.And while Stafford "loves to get out there and get the work in," McVay said, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Rams modify a training camp schedule for a healthy Stafford. Along with not playing key starters during the preseason, McVay has also typically built in rest days during training camp for veteran players. Last season, most players who were past or heading into their 10th NFL season had a day off practice every five days or so."[During] training camp [last year], we learned some stuff where you're saying, 'OK, what can we apply even though that wasn't necessarily by design that can allow [Stafford] to be at his best?'" McVay said. "We haven't gotten to that, but we are going to take a similar approach to the offseason. He has a real strict regimen that he's already on and the ownership and autonomy that he has is exactly what we wanted to be able to keep going. That's why it was important."It's the way the Rams want to structure Stafford that made the backup quarterback position so important. While Los Angeles was hoping to re-sign Jimmy Garoppolo, who served in the role for the Rams the past two seasons, he is considering retirement. While McVay acknowledged Garoppolo could return, he said it is unlikely.That need at backup is no longer as pressing because the Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 pick in April's draft. While McVay said Simpson will compete with 2023 fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett IV for the backup quarterback role, both players are expected to get significant reps during training camp and likely the preseason as well."Being able to add another quarterback into the mix [in Simpson] allows us to operate in a manner where you're saying, 'Hey, what's the priority? How do we keep our guy feeling as good as possible and being able to do that without allowing it to fall off too much?'" McVay said. "That was where Jimmy was so valuable last year in the absence of Matthew during training camp."Last training camp, Garoppolo took the first-team reps while Bennett took the second-team snaps. Bennett also started and played all of the Rams' first two preseason games.McVay has said multiple times that he considers Garoppolo to be capable of being a starting quarterback, which allowed the Rams to operate their offense and "be able to give looks to the defense that we were able to still get better as a team even though the MVP of the league wasn't able to participate in the majority of training camp," McVay said."I missed a ton of time in training camp," Stafford said midway through the 2025 season. "I thought Jimmy did a hell of a job keeping our guys sharp and getting us ready to go. I'm really appreciative of him for that. Our group did a great job and got ready to go. Then obviously I was able to come back in late in the game there and feel good enough to go play."While the time away from the offseason was refreshing for Stafford, the inability to practice during training camp was not. Stafford called that time "challenging," saying, "all I want to do is practice, play, get out there and be with the guys."So while the Rams do not want to totally duplicate their offseason and training camp plans for Stafford, McVay says the team does see the importance of taking that similar approach."That's important to us," McVay said. "That's something we thought about and it'll be a very similar approach. As far as training camp, we'll see how we get through the offseason and then be able to go down that road."