THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford loved being a full participant within the workforce’s on-field work this offseason after having to take a seat out of final yr’s actions.
Stafford wrapped up necessary minicamp on Wednesday after two days of throwing, one thing he couldn’t do in preliminary preparations for the 2022 season due to an elbow harm that required surgical procedure.
“It’s good,” Stafford mentioned. “You recognize, I like to be out right here and apply and compete, play with these guys. So it’s robust to take a seat on the sideline like I did final yr for a lot time and never getting any sort of reps, so it was nice to get a bunch of reps this offseason. I really feel good and enthusiastic about getting again in July.”
The harm dated again to the 2021 season, Stafford’s first in Los Angeles the place he helped the Rams win Tremendous Bowl LVI of their residence stadium after 12 years enjoying for the Detroit Lions. His proper elbow needed to be managed fastidiously within the lead-up to final season, holding him out of OTAs and minicamp.
Coach Sean McVay described the distinction of getting Stafford obtainable and collaborating as “evening and day.”
“I don’t assume I spotted it or anyone, and he would by no means say it as a result of he’s so robust, the quantity of ache that he was working by way of, how restricted he was,” McVay mentioned. “However to have our quarterback, the command, the way in which that he actually elevates [the team], his communication expertise, it’s been enormous for us. He makes a major distinction.”
Stafford performed in 9 video games final season, lacking the ultimate seven due to a concussion and neck harm he sustained in a Week 11 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
The Rams went 5-12, mounting a meager protection of their title, and expectations aren’t a lot increased going into this season after slicing standout gamers to handle a wage cap crunch and loading up their roster with rookies.
Stafford mentioned he isn’t bothered by the assumption the Rams received’t achieve success.
“I do know what we’re making an attempt to do is construct a extremely good soccer workforce right here, and that takes work,” he mentioned. “Whether or not individuals assume it’s gonna occur or not doesn’t matter to us. You recognize, simply because individuals mentioned we must always win the Tremendous Bowl two years in the past didn’t imply we received it. We put the work in and executed, in order that’s the mindset we’re taking and completely happy to be the place we’re at.”
