Earlier this week I requested whether or not the 2026 Los Angeles Rams deserved comparisons to the 2011 Philadelphia Eagles “Dream Team”.
What is for certain in regards to the premise of this query is that the Rams are a excellent group. Probably the perfect of the Sean McVay period and presumably probably the most proficient group on paper in franchise historical past. The identical could possibly be mentioned, to an extent, in regards to the 2021 Rams squad that hoisted the Lombardi Trophy at SoFi Stadium.
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But if Matthew Stafford wins each of his Super Bowls in Los Angeles supported by a “super team”, what does this say about his profession file compared to the greats of all time on the quarterback place?
Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady willed the Chiefs and Patriots, respectively, to a number of championships regardless of being a a part of flawed rosters. Nick Foles, Sam Darnold, Jalen Hurts wanted extra assist—inversely—to achieve the head of the game.
If the Rams once more win the Super Bowl this season, one can’t assist themselves to wonder if it was a coincidence that Stafford’s two championships got here in “all-in” eras versus when the group was thought-about extra of a work in progress between 2022 and 2025.
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Rams Top 10 Players: 2021 vs 2026
Going “all-in” creates tremendous groups
Following LA’s 2021 commerce for Stafford, any end result for the following season would have been a failure if the outcome was something aside from a championship. The identical expectations maintain true once more in 2026.
To Stafford’s credit score, he’s actually ok to maintain the practice on the tracks and never deter proficient rosters from reaching their potential. Not all quarterbacks can say this, like Jimmy Garoppolo on the 2023 49ers.
But one different certainty is that it’s not a optimistic mark the Rams got here up in need of a Super Bowl in all different seasons the place they didn’t maximize single yr potential by giving up draft assets in future years. LA had been pretty reserved in its roster development earlier than this offseason. They’ve constructed via the draft and signed mid-tier free brokers, avoiding expensive investments that restrict flexibility over time.
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After developing simply quick within the NFC Championship sport and shedding to the eventual champion Eagles the yr earlier than, the Rams knew they wanted yet one more shot within the arm.
The troublesome reality is that Stafford and the Rams held the ball and their very own future in each of those playoff elimination matchups and got here up quick. LA failed to attain on two performs within the crimson zone towards Jalen Carter and the Eagles. Stafford couldn’t join on the ultimate two performs supposed for rookie receivers this previous season versus the Seahawks. Scoring on these possessions doesn’t essentially assure victories; nevertheless, they might have been pretty insurmountable for the opposition.
How will critics weigh one other championship?
I’ll offer you a few statements which may be contrarian or crucial of Stafford however rooted in objectivity. We can focus on within the feedback whether or not you disagree or discover them truthful.
Winning each Super Bowls on tremendous groups would diminish Stafford’s profession looking back
Stafford is usually towards the again of high 10 rankings and desires assist to win
Stafford’s profession general is most much like Eli Manning than different greats
The Rams couldn’t win a Super Bowl with Stafford without an “all-in” method