The Los Angeles Rams were once again in need of a quarterback to back up Matthew Stafford. Many expected Carson Wentz to re-sign in free agency. As the days went, qualified candidates emerged from the free agency board, leaving many to wonder which path they would choose to address the position. They eventually settled on Jimmy Garoppolo, but it now appears that they were in negotiations with the Washington Commanders to acquire former 2022 5th-round selection pick Sam Howell.Los Angeles Rams in the trade market for Sam Howell On the Puck Sports podcast, Mike Garofolo stated,
[The Seattle Seahawks] outbid the Rams, and I know the Rams coaching staff was really interested in Sam Howell. They liked him, so the Seahawks were able to outbid them. So that is good. You’ve got him. You also kept him away from a squad that could have viewed him as a potential successor.
Howell was dealt to Seattle in exchange for a third-round pick (78) and a fifth-round pick (152). Seattle also acquired a fourth-round draft pick (102nd overall) and a sixth-round pick (179th overall). The Rams have enough draft capital to at least equal that, but it would have limited them to one pick between the second and fifth rounds. They traded their 2024 fourth-round pick to Pittsburgh for Kevin Dotson.
Howell took over as the Commanders’ full-time starter in 2023. He had a rough start but eventually found his groove, once leading the league in passing yards. He passed for 3946 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. He also rushed for 263 yards and five touchdowns. He ended the regular season with 65 sacks, the most in the league.
In Week 15, Sean McVay observed the former Tar Heel standing 6’1″ and weighing 220 pounds. Howell had a poor game, going 11 for 26 for 102 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, and he was benched after throwing a pick in the fourth.
Finding Stafford’s Successor
NFL Draft Expert Names Los Angeles Rams Favorite Landing Spot For First-Round Quarterback
The idea of Matthew Stafford’s succession has been discussed, and it appears that at least some members of the Rams front office are thinking about it. Many draft analysts have teased a quarterback for the Rams in the first three rounds. Garofolo argued that this trade was an attempt to accomplish just that.
The last few backup quarterback deals, notably Garoppolo, have been motivated by the prospect of having a quality guy to keep them competitive if Stafford missed time. This was the situation when they signed Baker Mayfield in 2022 and Carson Wentz in 2023.
Obviously, the Rams would not allocate draft capital to a player who they did not believe had the ability to do so. However, any conversation about a replacement will have to wait until the NFL Draft, which begins at the end of the month.
