What the Los Angeles Rams do to replace quarterback Matthew Stafford will be the big question that needs to be answered. Stafford is back in 2026, but this could certainly be the legendary passer’s final year in the league before he rides into the sunset.
So, now, many have wondered what the Rams will do once Stafford is gone. And, more importantly, when. The Rams have two first-round picks in 2026, so it stands to reason the team could find Stafford’s replacement this year and have him develop for a season before he takes over next year.
NFL commentator Colin Cowherd doesn’t like that idea, though. He said on his show this week that the Rams shouldn’t draft a quarterback in 2026 and instead focus on drafting players to add around Stafford to make a Super Bowl run.
“Don’t worry about a quarterback. It’s not a great quarterback draft,” Cowherd said. “Just stack the team because the following year you’re probably going to have to give up all sorts of draft picks to get your quarterback. And the Rams are still very young on defense. So why not just ride with Stafford?
“Instead of worrying about his replacement … take every one of these picks and make sure they fit with Stafford and make a run at the Super Bowl.”
This is, in reality, probably the best move the Rams can make this offseason. There isn’t a star quarterback worth a Day 1 or Day 2 pick outside of Fernando Mendoza, and the Rams aren’t starving for one just yet.
There are, however, some other areas of concern the Rams should look at in the draft, such as cornerback, receiver and offensive line. Those are win-now moves that could help the Rams make a playoff push again.
Now, this shouldn’t stop the Rams from looking for Stafford’s replacement this offseason in the draft or free agency, or the veteran trade market. But, as Cowherd suggests, the focus should be on winning a Super Bowl in 2026 rather than finding a replacement for Stafford in 2027 and beyond.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Colin Cowherd says Rams shouldn’t draft a QB in 2026