The Rams and the Media Need to Be Real About Sam Darnold
As Sam Darnold’s name continues to be linked with the Los Angeles Rams as a potential replacement for Matthew Stafford, it’s time for both the team and the media to get realistic about Darnold’s ability to lead a championship team.
Darnold had a strong 2024 season and earned the praise he received. His success shows that when a player is given proper coaching and surrounded by talent, they can achieve unexpected results. Because of this, Darnold has been discussed as a possible starting quarterback for the Rams in 2025, should Stafford depart. While Darnold absolutely deserves a chance, the reality is that Los Angeles may not be the right fit for him.
Darnold is among the top 20 passers in the NFL, but there’s a significant difference between being a good quarterback and being one capable of thriving under pressure. The reality is, only one quarterback gets to start and win a Super Bowl each season, and to do so, they need to perform well in high-pressure situations—a quality Darnold has yet to consistently demonstrate.
The question isn’t whether Darnold can play—he’s proven he can—but whether he can elevate the Rams to Super Bowl contention in 2025. If the Rams aim to compete for a championship, Darnold isn’t the answer. While Stafford has excelled in shootouts and under pressure, Darnold’s track record shows he struggles when it matters most.
The Rams’ victory over Darnold’s Vikings in the playoffs demonstrated his inability to thrive under pressure, but his performance against a weakened Lions defense the week before further highlighted this weakness. Could Darnold have led the 1-4 Rams—who Stafford later carried to an NFC West title—to the playoffs? Even if you added a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers, it’s unlikely they would have made the postseason.
In 2024, the Rams were one play away from a championship. Their defense was on par with the best, including the Eagles, and would have dominated teams like Washington and Kansas City. If the gap between the Rams and the NFL’s top teams was so narrow, is Darnold the quarterback to push them over the top? It’s not about the throws Darnold can make, but the ones he can’t. In high-pressure moments—like needing a game-winning pass with a second-year center—Darnold hasn’t shown he can deliver.
The ideal scenario for Darnold to win a title might be with a team like Minnesota. That’s just the reality.
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