The clock has finally struck zero for the NFL trade deadline, and the Rams might’ve been one of the biggest losers.
After coach Sean McVay announced on Monday that Puka Nacua will likely be placed on the team’s injured reserve due to a PCL and MCL injury to his right knee, with the addition of having turf toe from Sunday’s game against Washington, the Rams failed to find a temporary replacement.
Los Angeles came into Tuesday’s deadline as owners of its second-, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-round picks for the 2027 NFL Draft. The Rams have a first-round pick in the 2028 NFL Draft and other mid-to-late-round picks in those two draft classes.
Given the Rams’ constant “all-in mentality,” they’ve never been shy of mortgaging their future if it means to win now.
The Chiefs traded a 2027 fourth-round and fifth-round pick to acquire Josh Downs from the Colts. Brian Thomas Jr. will remain with the Jaguars despite being a healthy scratch in last Thursday’s game against the Ravens.
With Nacua out and Davante Adams not likely to return until the end of the month, quarterback Matthew Stafford will likely have to rely on the team’s tight ends and throw to a receiving corps that will feature Tutu Atwell, Konata Mumpfield and Jordan Whittington, who was activated after the trade deadline.
Rams fans have not been taking Los Angeles’ decision to stay with what the Rams have well.
On X, @DestroysHere compared the Rams’ wide receivers with the Colts and the Cardinals: “Colts, Cardinals, Rams competing for worst receiver rooms.”
While @DestroysHere is in panic mode, @randy_mcmillon appears to be optimistic: “Hello LA Rams Family Don’t Panic The LA Rams are going to play great Football from the Eternal Optimus RAM is my World.”
The optimism was contagious among some fans, as @RamsRushHour wrote, he “expect[s] Stafford to turn someone into a star over the next few weeks.”
To which fans rebuffed in the comments, as @Zynicxz wrote: “Stafford ain’t turning nobody into s—t when he doesn’t even trust a single one of them.”
After the deadline, the Vikings, who made one of the biggest blockbuster moves at the deadline by acquiring quarterback Kirk Cousins from the Raiders, made a follow-up move, releasing Odell Beckham Jr. from their roster.
Some fans are hoping the Rams will inquire about a potential reunion with Beckham, who played a pivotal part in the team winning Super Bowl 56.
While Beckham suffered a torn ACL in the biggest game of the season, he and Stafford had a clear connection. Beckham played in eight games and had 27 receptions for 305 yards with five touchdowns in the regular season.
After NFL insider Ian Rapoport broke the news of Beckham’s release, @1PotatoSaiyan wrote: “I’m so confused, rams please sign him…”
Inquiring about a reunion with Beckham could be an avenue the Rams explore, but given his injury history, age (34) and that he has had hardly any production playing for two different teams this season, he could be a name Los Angeles elects to pass on.
