The Los Angeles Rams may have the NFL’s best roster on paper, but there are a few players who could lose their jobs before the season begins or during the season.
Three Los Angeles Rams Players Who Might Lose Their Jobs This Season
While the roster is Super Bowl worthy, the Rams need their best players to get the most touches. These three players will need strong seasons to keep their spots on the roster.
Tyler Higbee
Tyler Higbee has spent 10 seasons with the Rams, but none may be more crucial than this upcoming season. While he signed a two-year, $6 million extension, his numbers have steadily declined over the last few seasons. Plagued with injuries over the past three seasons, Higbee has now become the veteran pass catcher for the team. Last season, he finished with 281 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games.
By drafting tight end Max Klare out of Ohio State this year, the Rams made it clear they plan to continue their use of the 13 personnel-based offense. The use of tight ends will make the Rams virtually unstoppable on offense, but if Higbee wants to remain as the team’s top tight end, he needs a bounce-back season.
If he stays healthy, he has the talent and experience to keep his spot as the Rams’ No. 1 tight end.
Stetson Bennett
Stetson Bennett is the Los Angeles Rams backup quarterback, but that could change before the season begins. Before the draft, head coach Sean McVay made it clear that Stetson was going to be the backup quarterback. After selecting Ty Simpson 13th overall, McVay had a change of heart.
“He’s going to compete with Stetson,” McVay said.
Selected in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft, Bennett won two national championships at Georgia. Following his selection, Stetson was placed on the reserve/non-football list and stepped away from football because of mental health-related issues. When he returned, the Rams signed Jimmy Garoppolo, and since then, Bennett hasn’t seen the field.
Now with Simpson’s arrival, Bennett could be out of a job. This is the final year of Bennett’s contract, and with Stafford potentially retiring at the end of the season, Bennett needs to show what he can do before Simpson or someone else takes over.
Xavier Smith
While Xavier Smith isn’t a star, he needs a great season to write his wrongs. Smith re-signed on a one-year, $1 million extension with the Rams. The team’s designated returner finished last season with 522 punt and kick return yards.
Smith returns, looking to move past the mistake that ended the Rams’ season. During the NFC Championship against the Seattle Seahawks, he attempted to field a wobbling punt, which resulted in a turnover and an immediate touchdown for the Seahawks. Seattle held on to win 31-27 and went on to win the Super Bowl.
Mainly used for these returns, Smith has a year to prove himself. Last season was Smith’s first as the Rams’ returner. The Rams finished top 10 in punt returns but ranked 22nd in kick returns, suggesting there could be an improvement.
One problem the Rams have dealt with is special teams issues. This offseason, the Rams hired Bubba Ventrone as the special teams coordinator. While the special teams unit has shown little success since McVay became head coach, there should be some optimism with a new coordinator.
Smith may not even have a full season to prove his worth. Since the Rams are Super Bowl favorites, they may decide to trade for a returner like the Seahawks did last season. During the trade deadline, the Seattle Seahawks traded for Rashid Shaheed, which helped them secure a Super Bowl victory. The Rams could do the same, especially in a season with Super Bowl expectations.
