Changes Coming to the Rams Defense
To be totally honest, when I heard that the Rams were planning on releasing LB Bobby Wagner, I wasn’t exactly excited about it.
Wagner had one of the better years a Rams linebacker has ever had and was the highest rated LB according to websites who are popular for ranking players.
The part that really throws me about the Bobby Wagner move is the words “mutually agreed”. Why? Why did both sides decide that after just one year it was best for Wagner to leave?
It is entirely possible that we never actually get that answer, but it does feel like it could have something to do with only being able to get to five wins on the year. If a conversation was had that maybe this season the Rams also won’t be in contention, then I suppose it does make sense that BWagz would be ready to try his luck somewhere else. Somewhere that is very actively trying to win football games in 2023.
But is that really not the Rams? I keep seeing the response that Sean McVay, Matthew Stafford, and Aaron Donald wouldn’t have returned if this team was in full on rebuilding mode, but is that real?
I’ve always expected that Aaron Donald wouldn’t spend his entire career as a Ram. This mindset did change a little when the Rams became really good, but it makes sense that Donald would play maybe a final season or two somewhere like Pittsburgh which would just make total sense. Is this Donald’s final year on the Rams defense? Well that actually does feel pretty possible. Although it would not hurt my feelings one bit to see Donald continue to don the horns.
Matthew Stafford arrived as a Ram with very limited years. We knew that going in. While Stafford has made it clear that he is not retiring, last year did show us that his age and the amount of butt kickings his body has taken over the years caught up to him. Spinal cord contusion doesn’t sound like something you just shake off real quick, but I’m also no doctor. I’ve said for years that the back up QB position isn’t that important especially if you’re taking care of your guy, but this season that does feel different. I’d be a little more nervous entering the season than usual if the bench options are the likes of John Wolford and Bryce Perkins again. No hate. Great dudes, but I don’t feel very confident that dubs would be stacked with either of them behind center. Now Baker Mayfield… that I could live with. Your back up shouldn’t be as good or better than your starter (looking at you, SF) and Mayfield is the perfect level of drop off from Stafford’s talent and exciting player to fit into that back up role perfectly. We’ll see if the team decides to keep him around or The Wolf (awoo) gets the nod again.
That brings us to Sean McVay. Now I am very well aware of how the story of Sean McVay has gone for the last few seasons and how it has felt like at any moment he will shed his HC headset for a network headset. I’ve been asked a few times, “would Sean McVay really come back to rebuild?” and to answer completely honestly. I have no idea. I’m not sure where Sean’s motivations are right now. I will say that despite the TV talk, it is also entirely possible that McVay stays for another 20 years so a quick rebuild today wouldn’t seem like the biggest deal. Do I expect that to happen? No I do not, but also we all knew the bill was going to be due one day. Maybe some of us thought that the bill was dated for 2024, but what do I know?
We also got word that it is “very likely” the Rams trade CB Jalen Ramsey in the coming weeks as well. The reports have told us that Ramsey wants a new deal and the Rams are not in a position to work that right now so will search for a trade. We’ve also been told by some reporters that there will be a ‘hot market’ for Ramsey which is good news for Rams fans. While it’s always a bummer to lose a player like Ramsey, I will quote myself here in saying “players come and go, the Rams are forever”. Ramsey is awesome. Ramsey still has it and is a super star in this league, but he’s also not the reason I am a Rams fan. I love Ramsey and wish him the best, but I also don’t have plans on following him to another team.
So Bobby Wagner gone, Jalen Ramsey probably out. What does this mean for the Rams defense? This is a defense that is run by Raheem Morris who I have had my criticisms of in the past. I myself am not a fan of the soft conservative style between the 20s. The Rams red zone defense was so stout that it just left me wondering what if the Rams attacked teams at the 50 instead of only in the red zone?
As you might be able to gather, I do have my questions about this Rams defense and how well the unit will be able to perform but I will give you and myself a little piece of mind here and say that we are still not even into the new league year yet. There is still re-signing, free agency, and the draft to load the defense back up. I’m just saying it makes me a little nervous knowing we could be down two major super stars, still have Raheem Morris, and I’m also nervous the Rams will re-sign S Taylor Rapp who I have so many questions about being a starter. I do think his skillset would be able to shine on special teams, but again.. what do I know?
There are changes brewing and you gotta think that Sean McVay and Les ‘Make a Deal’ Snead are cooking up something. Right? RIGHT?? I’m not sure I’m emotionally ready for our window to be closed quite yet. We went from ‘RUN IT BACK’ to rebuild in one year? No I don’t buy it. With the injuries this team saw last year, I don’t know if there’s an NFL team equipped to handle that. Although the Rams got their depth tested, and received an F.
New episode of Rams Showcase will be out by the end of the week! Find it wherever you find your favorite podcasts or directly on the front page here once I figure out how to do that!
- Sheriff Joe Bags (@SheriffJoeBags)
