Why Matthew Stafford, Rams are Poised to Bounce Back in 2023 amid Latest NFL Rumors

After a highly successful 2021 season, the Los Angeles Rams had a drop-off that few could have seen coming in 2022. They were the reigning Super Bowl champions, but they didn't come anywhere close to defending their title.

The Rams went 5-12 and missed the playoffs, falling well short of their high expectations entering the season. While the NFL postseason is now underway, Los Angeles' players are at home, not participating in the action.

One reason for the Rams' struggles was the bad health of quarterback Matthew Stafford. In the 34-year-old quarterback's second season in Los Angeles, he was limited to nine games. He also threw for only 2,087 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Perhaps the 2023 season will be better, now that it's clear Stafford and head coach Sean McVay will be returning to try to get the Rams back on track.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Los Angeles is expected to pick up Stafford's 2023 option bonus and 2024 salary "by the third day of the league year." There was a chance the Rams could have opted not to do that and parted ways with him as "a post-June 1 cap casualty," as Schefter pointed out.

It also wasn't clear if Stafford may be considering retirement due to his injury issues. There was also buzz that McVay may think about stepping away, but the 36-year-old shared with the team Friday that he'd be coming back.

Maybe these returns will lead to a bounce-back season for the Rams in 2023. They still have talented players on both sides of the ball. And they now have an offseason to make the necessary moves to return to contention.

Los Angeles may want to bring in another strong wide receiver to complement Cooper Kupp, taking some pressure off of the former NFL Offensive Player of the Year. The more playmakers that Stafford has to throw the ball to, the more successful he can likely be moving forward.

Stafford will need to stay healthy, though. That wasn't an issue early in his career, as he started every game of the season each year but one from 2011-21. He is older now, so it'll be important for him to find ways to stay on the field.

If he can get back to looking like the Stafford of old (or at least a bit closer to his 2021 form), then it would be a huge boost for the Rams as they look to return to their winning ways. Stafford is a proven veteran with a long track record, so there's a possibility that's going to happen.

McVay is a talented head coach, so it's also important for Los Angeles that he's going to be back in 2023. He should put Stafford in a position to succeed, especially if the offense has better complementary talent around the QB and Kupp.

So if the Rams can make the right moves, they could be a bounce-back team next season. Stafford should do his part, especially since there is the security of knowing he'll be coming back to the team and remaining its offensive leader for the immediate future.