The Los Angeles Rams began their offseason program on April 20, after an incredible 2025 NFL season.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford led his team to the NFC Championship game against the Seattle Seahawks, where they fell just short of their second Super Bowl trip in five seasons. At 38 years old, Stafford had the best season of his career, leading all of the NFL in touchdowns and securing himself his first MVP award.
Ahead of the 2025 season, Stafford was dealing with a back injury that he suffered in between the Rams offseason program and training camp. Because of this injury, Stafford did not throw for a significant chunk of the summer, returning to practice August 18, just three weeks out of the Rams’ first game.
Due to Stafford’s age, the Rams are looking at a more conservative approach to Stafford’s offseason training to ensure his dominance in 2026.
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Sean McVay Reveals ‘Monotonous’ Approach to Matthew Stafford’s Offseason Plan
In an article from ESPN’s Sarah Bishop, Sean McVay details the Los Angeles Rams’ plan for Matthew Stafford as he heads into year 18 and his sixth season with the Rams. McVay highlights the autonomy that he and Stafford gained with team’s medical and strength staff.
“I think the most important thing is when you’re going into Year 18, how do we keep you as physically, emotionally and mentally fresh as possible?” McVay said.
Stafford, who still regularly deals with back pain, ‘loves to get out there and get the work in,’ according to McVay is likely going to see a modified training camp this season. Similarly to sitting key starters during the preseason, McVay allows an off day for players who were past or heading into their 10th NFL season.
“[During] training camp [last year], we learned some stuff where you’re saying, ‘OK, what can we apply even though that wasn’t necessarily by design that can allow [Stafford] to be at his best?'” McVay said. “We haven’t gotten to that, but we are going to take a similar approach to the offseason. He has a real strict regimen that he’s already on and the ownership and autonomy that he has is exactly what we wanted to be able to keep going. That’s why it was important.”
As an older quarterback with lingering injury issues, the Rams prioritize the backup QB position. At the 2026 NFL Draft, the Rams grabbed Alabama’s Ty Simpson in the first round. While the young QB is still a ways away from starting role, he is going to be a valuable asset for McVay and Stafford this offseason and preseason.
“Being able to add another quarterback into the mix [in Simpson] allows us to operate in a manner where you’re saying, ‘Hey, what’s the priority? How do we keep our guy feeling as good as possible and being able to do that without allowing it to fall off too much?'” McVay said. “That was where Jimmy [Garoppolo] was so valuable last year in the absence of Matthew during training camp.”
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A Quick Look at Ty Simpson in Training Camp With Los Angeles Rams
The Rams’ offseason training has begun and fans finally got their first look at Ty Simpson throwing the football in some blue and gold.
What differences do you notice between Stafford and Simpson…?
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Sean McVay was asked about how he feels about the Ty Simpson pick to weeks removed from the draft, and swiftly dodges the question.
“The rookies have been here for a week,” McVay stated. “You know, we’re focusing on our team. I really love a lot of these guys, we have 23 rookies coming in.”
While the Ty Simpson pick is still generating some noise across the league, the former Bama QB is going to learn a lot under the wing of Matthew Stafford.
Sean McVay Reveals Plan For A Healthy Matthew Stafford After MVP Season