Rams Are Contenders, Claims Colin Cowherd; The 2 Reasons Why

“It’s a head coach-quarterback league,” Colin Cowherd says, reviewing the Rams' chances. "What is the best quarterback-coach combo in the NFL? … (Matthew) Stafford and (Sean) McVay are No. 2. They are.''

Write off the 2023 Los Angeles Rams? Even the guys in charge of the team are talking this offseason in a tone that suggests the Super Bowl expectations of the last half-decade should maybe be lowered a tad.

But one observer disagrees. Loudly.

“It’s a head coach-quarterback league,” Cowherd said this week on his FOX Sports show. "What is the best quarterback-coach combo in the NFL? … (Matthew) Stafford and (Sean) McVay are No. 2. They are.''

It's an interesting concept, and Cowherd backs it up by citing the tandem work of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady in New England and the ongoing success of Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City, where the latest Super Bowl title sits.

But ...

The Rams have said goodbye to Jalen Ramsey, Bobby Wagner and Leonard Floyd, part of what is customarily called a "rebuild'' - as much as L.A. dislikes calling it that.

At the same time, McVay opting to return in 2023 after considering other options almost counts as a "get.'' Stafford is obviously star-caliber and right now "has that look in his eye.'' Like McVay, Aaron Donald weighed his options but is coming back and remains among the NFL's best interior defensive linemen. And Cooper Kupp will be healthy and figures to compete again for the honor as the league's most productive receiver.

But most of all, to Cowherd, it's about two guys. 

"Take Reid and Mahomes out... Stafford and McVay are number two."

— @ColinCowherd isn't ready to sell his Rams stock pic.twitter.com/O39361kJ6G

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) April 3, 2023

“Quarterback is probably 60 percent of (success),'' he asserts.  coach is probably 40% of it. Brady-Belichick, Reid-Mahomes. ... If you look at what wins in the NFL, it’s a wealthy, non-meddling owner: check. A dominating defensive line presence: check. A great weapon, Cooper Kupp, who was getting MVP consideration: check. An offensive coach: check. And a star quarterback: check.''

The Rams were 5-12 last year after having won the Super Bowl the season before. They are projected by many to be in the same lowly range this year. 

Nevertheless, when Cowherd says, "People have just decided that the LA Rams off a bad season are done'' ... he means "people are wrong.''

And if he's right? Yes, maybe McVay and Stafford will be the central reasons.

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Rams? Click Here

Want to join in on the discussion? Click here to become a member of the Ram Digest message board community today!

Follow Ram Digest on Twitter and Facebook.

Want even more L.A. Rams news? Check out the SI.com team page here.