Super Bowl LVII Picks: Can the Rams Run it Back? (Archive)
The Los Angeles Rams used the superteam method to win a Super Bowl in 2022. Their phenomenal 12-5 regular season was capped off by a playoff run that peaked at the right time. This is a star-heavy roster with major free agents to consider before projecting them for a repeat run to next year’s Super Bowl.
It’s extremely hard to repeat as champions in the NFL. Free agency is often devastating to winners as veteran players chase bigger paychecks and final opportunities overtaking less to win a ring. The Rams are of course at risk to lose some key talent that will be paid more elsewhere.
We’ll break down why the good and bad of the Rams’ 2022 offseason outlook in regards to whether they can repeat. With the fourth-best odds to win the Super Bowl, it’s clear the Rams are contenders. But the details will determine whether they’re a real threat or not.
The Good
The Rams have a loaded roster that is mostly intact with their 2021 stars. Although they sit over $20 million over the salary cap for this offseason, they can easily restructure contracts to open space. Restructuring the deals of Jalen Ramsey, Leonard Floyd, and Cooper Kupp would open about $30 million.
We may also see Andrew Whitworth retire, opening another $16 million. New contract extensions for Aaron Donald and Matthew Stafford could drive down their 2022 cap hits as well, from $26.75 million and $23 million, respectively. This would all hurt more long-term but keep the Rams from losing key free agents.
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The Rams will also be healthier in 2022 as Robert Woods, Cam Akers, Tyler Higbee, and Jordan Fuller should be 100% back. As much as losing Odell Beckham Jr. in the Super Bowl almost cost them a title, he should also be more affordable off a torn ACL as well. It’s scary to think the champs could get better.
The Bad
The Rams still lack major assets. They have no first-round pick again in 2022, and the looming prospect of having to restructure deals and give huge pay raises to Donald and Stafford will sting. They will possibly lose key contributors like edge rusher Von Miller, cornerback Darious Williams, Beckham, guard Austin Corbett, and Whitworth.
Losing Miller, Whitworth, and Williams would sting the most. Those are Pro Bowl caliber starters at key positions, and the team may be able to replace one through the draft to a certain degree. But it’s also incredibly unlikely Miller or Whitworth could be matched by a rookie.
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The lack of cap flexibility to add a new body that’s not on a minimum-type deal is also a major factor. The Rams had great injury luck again in 2021, and they do not have the depth to lose one of their major contributors for long next year. They simply have a smaller room for error with their approach.
Can the Rams Repeat?
Yes, the Rams can repeat. These odds are surprisingly attractive. I would expect the Rams to re-sign Miller and Beckham, and then replace their free agents with lower-cost fliers and rookies. Corbett is not a stud starter and Williams may be replaced by a second-round rookie without a huge drop-off.
The NFC is not especially threatening right now. The Packers won’t be loading up thanks to their own cap issues. The 49ers will be starting Trey Lance and have lost most of their offensive coaching staff.
Even if Tom Brady does return to the Buccaneers at some point, we’ve also seen the Rams take care of them in Tampa. The Rams deserve to be NFC favorites because they can absolutely repeat so long as their stars perform like stars.
Of course, all bets are off if they make the Super Bowl. No one expected the Bengals to emerge from the loaded AFC, but that was a favorable draw for the Rams. That’s all it could take for the Rams to be parading once again.
NFL Pick: Rams to Win Super Bowl (+1200) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.