Rams claim top offseason grade from NFL analyst thanks to their efforts to juggle two major points of emphasis at the same time

Playing both the long and short game simultaneously 

The biggest appeal for Walder is that the Rams attacked this offseason in multiple phases to achieve both long-term and short term goals. Keeping Matthew Stafford, despite flirtations with the idea of moving on and even considering Aaron Rodgers as the pivot, allows the Rams to keep their best chance to win now. Also helping in that effort is the transition from Cooper Kupp to Davante Adams. Both moves were a large part of Walder's support for the Rams' offseason. 

"The Rams' offseason was great because it involved moves that will help the team win now and later. The offseason began with rumors that Stafford could be leaving, and the Rams granted him permission to talk to other teams to discuss his value. Though Stafford had conversations with the Giants and Raiders, he ended up re-signing with Los Angeles on a reworked deal that pays him a fully guaranteed $40 million in 2025 and a non-guaranteed $40 million in 2026....the team also made two other high-priced moves to support its QB. Most notably, the Rams signed wide receiver Davante Adams to a two-year deal that averages $22 million per season (and includes $26 million fully guaranteed). The 32-year-old Adams is not the player he once was, though he managed 2.1 yards per route run last season and his open score in ESPN's receiving metrics was a more-than-respectable 77.

There are no guarantees, but I like this move, especially coupled with the team's decision to release Cooper Kupp. He is also 32 but is three years removed from his latest 1,000-yard season. The Rams were right to move on." 

- ESPN's Seth Walder on the Rams' offseason

But it was the other things the Rams did that open up the possibilities long-term, too. The Rams added a future first-round draft choice courtesy of a trade down with the Atlanta Falcons in the 2025 NFL Draft. They found a taker for what appeared to be sunk cost after their signing of offensive lineman Jonah Jackson quickly turned sour — without having to eat salary. 

Walder does offer some constructive criticism of the re-signing of wide receiver Tutu Atwell. But if your biggest critique of the offseason is for a one-year, $10 million contract for a former top-100 draft choice, the odds are pretty good you've done a good job with your offseason plan. 

Walder very clearly thinks so, as he handed out just one 'A' grade in his exercise. It belongs to the Rams.