Opposing NFL coaches still have high expectations for Rams QB Matthew Stafford

One of the most surprising developments in The Athletic's annual quarterback tier rankings is how high the expectations remain for Los Angeles Rams starter Matthew Stafford. 

Stafford is coming off a lost 2022 season that saw him badly struggle through the first half, then miss the second half due to injury. Despite that, and despite the fact he is entering his age-35 season, the opposing coaches and executives that were polled in the project gave Stafford a shockingly high ranking going into the 2023 season.

Stafford was not only one of the seven quarterbacks in the second tier, but he received enough votes to still be included among the top 10 quarterbacks in the league.

He was still ranked ahead of Kirk Cousins, Kyler Murray, Jared Goff, Russell Wilson, Tua Tagovailoa and Geno Smith.

The second-tier quarterbacks were described as players who "can carry his team sometimes but not as consistently. He can handle pure passing situations in doses and/or possesses other dimensions that are special enough to elevate him above Tier 3."

In his prime, and even as recently as two years ago when he quarterbacked the Rams to a Super Bowl, that absolutely described Stafford and his game. But his 2022 performance was one of the worst seasons of his career statistically, and there is no guarantee that a 35-year-old quarterback coming off the injuries he dealt with is going to rebound.

Especially when injuries have significantly limited him in two of the past four seasons.

Said one personnel director in the piece:

“If he doesn’t get hurt, he is still a top-level quarterback,” a personnel director said. “I think he can still sling it around. The offense was not predicated on the run first even when they won the Super Bowl, so I think any time he is healthy and back there able to deal it, you can win because of him.”

That is a huge if.

The biggest issue the Rams had last year during their Super Bowl title defense was injuries to key players, including Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald. If those three can find a way to stay healthy and regain their past glory, the Rams might have a shot to surprise and compete in the NFC West.

But if they do not, and this is especially true with Stafford, it could be another very long season for the Rams.