The Los Angeles Rams are having one of the worst seasons from a defending Super Bowl champion in recent memory.
They are entering Week 15 with a record of 4-9, and have no hope of returning to the playoffs.
LA has suffered a plethora of injuries this season, helping to explain why they have been ineffective.
But, they were not playing well even when most of their key players were healthy.
So the question many people are wondering is, will the Rams be better next season?
The answer has to be yes.
Getting their key players back to full strength will be the most important obstacle.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford suffered a serious neck injury, that has forced him to miss the rest of the season.
These ⬇️ are your likely LAR QBs for the rest of the season.
Despite clearing the concussion protocol, Matthew Stafford was dealing with a neck injury that lead to numbness & tingling in his feet. Wouldn’t be surprised if he is shut down. https://t.co/LAWgJ6Ijmw
— Jesse Morse, MD (@DrJesseMorse) December 2, 2022
Depending on how he recovers from that will be a big factor in the Rams’ plans.
They claimed Baker Mayfield last week as an insurance policy for Stafford, and Mayfield led them to a victory in his first game.
But, the success of this Rams team in 2023 will rely on the health of Stafford.
Also, their best offensive player in Cooper Kupp suffered a high ankle sprain and will miss the rest of the season as well.
The injury concerns do not stop there as Aaron Donald has not played in a few weeks with an ankle injury.
What a disaster of a season this has been for the Rams in the injury department.
No Draft Capital
The problem with the Rams is that they have spent the last few seasons going all in that they have no draft capital.
Despite being in line for a top-10 pick, that selection will go to the Detroit Lions.
So the future of this Rams team looks bleak.
But, if they can get the aforementioned Stafford, Kupp, and Donald back to full strength next season they will be better.
More than likely their time as a Super Bowl contender is over, but being a borderline playoff team seems plausible.
