The Los Angeles Rams are 2022 Super Bowl champs. The road to a ring was not easy and it all started in 2014.
Aaron Donald was drafted in the first round of the 2014 draft out of Pittsburgh and has been the anchor for the Rams ever since.
Donald is an eight-time pro bowler, a seven-time all-pro and a three-time defensive player of the year.
Despite the outstanding production and talent of the defensive tackle, the Rams did not begin to compete until the hiring of Sean McVay.
When McVay was hired in 2017 he was the youngest head coach in NFL history. A lot of controversies came with the hire due to McVay’s inexperience and age.
McVay proved the doubters wrong, leading the Rams to their first playoff appearance in years with a record of 11-5.
In the five years, he has been head coach the offensive guru has never had a losing season, and has made the playoffs four out of five times.
The next key in the Rams’ journey and one of Mcvay’s first steps was the drafting of Cooper Kupp. Kupp was drafted in 2017 in the third round out of Eastern Washington.
Kupp has been a productive receiver in his five years, but this past year is when he hit his stride.
Kupp had arguably the greatest season ever for a wide receiver. Kupp led the league in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, receptions, and yards after catch.
Kupp ended the season with 1,947 receiving yards, second most in a season all-time. He was also awarded the Offensive Player of the Year award and was named Super Bowl MVP.
The Rams’ next move was trading for cornerback Jalen Ramsey in 2019. Ramsey has been the best corner in the league since, earning first-team all-pro honors twice.
The most controversial move throughout the Rams’ road was the trading of Matthew Stafford.
The longtime Detroit Lions quarterback was dealt before the 2021 season in a package that sent quarterback Jared Goff, two first-round picks, and a third-round pick to the Lions.
Many wondered if the Rams gave too much or if the trade was even worth it but those questions were answered with Stafford’s excellent play.
Stafford was third in passing yards, second in passing TD’s and sixth in the league in passer rating.
Stafford showed out in the playoffs averaging 297 yards a game while completing 70 percent of his passes. In four games he threw nine touchdowns and put together a few clutch drives.
The final pieces for the Rams Super Bowl winning roster came in the middle of the 2021 season.
The Rams acquired future hall of famer Von Miller in week eight and signed Odell Beckham Jr. in week 10.
Miller is a three-time all-pro and a former Super Bowl MVP. Beckham is a three-time pro bowler and former OROTY.
Both players were fantastic. Miller recorded seven sacks in the 12 games he played with the Rams, with two coming in the Super Bowl. Beckham had seven touchdowns in the 12 games he played with the Rams, with one coming in the Bowl.
The Rams mentality was ‘go big or go home’ and it was well worth it.
