Even though the Los Angeles Rams still have six weeks until the 2025 NFL season kicks off, fans were hit with troubling news regarding starting quarterback Matthew Stafford. It’s far from the ideal start to training camp and gives both the team and its supporters flashbacks to last year’s early struggles. Unfortunately, this feels all too familiar to how things unraveled leading into the 2024 campaign.

Rams supporters are no strangers to injury-related letdowns. While this isn’t quite on the same scale as the Todd Gurley situation—at least not yet—it has enough similarities to 2024’s training camp concerns that caution is warranted. With so much at stake this year, fans should stay hopeful—but also prepare for disappointment.

Head coach Sean McVay’s latest remarks about Matthew Stafford have only heightened those concerns:

The organization is proceeding cautiously with Stafford, aiming to have him fully ready for the season opener. Back injuries—like hamstrings—can seem minor but often linger, severely affecting a player’s performance over time. For an NFL quarterback, a sore back is especially problematic because every pass, turn, or handoff depends on a pain-free throwing motion.

Back issues are no small matter. The complex core muscles athletes rely on for strength and endurance must work in sync. When one muscle fails, the entire system falters. Anyone who’s ever strained a rib muscle just from sneezing or laughing knows how disruptive it can be.

Stafford, a longtime pro, already understands the offense and coaching staff well. Still, fans were eager to see reports of him building chemistry with new playmakers like WR Davante Adams and rookie TE Terrance Ferguson. Instead, those reps are now falling to backups Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett.

Although there’s no solid indication that Stafford will miss significant time, there are clear reasons the team is being so cautious:

The plan is to get Stafford fully cleared and in peak condition for the entire 17-game stretch, beginning with Week 1’s matchup against the Houston Texans.

That opener is still six weeks away. Unless his situation worsens, there’s reason to believe Stafford will be recovered and ready to go by then.

Meanwhile, backups benefit from extra practice. Garoppolo takes first-team snaps, Bennett gets second-team reps, and third-stringer Dresser Winn sees added action. That may not excite fans, but it’s invaluable for OC Mike LaFleur and the offensive staff.

The Stafford update may rattle fans—and understandably so. But don’t let that overshadow the camp progress elsewhere. It’s never about just one player; it’s about preparing the entire roster for the demanding season ahead. What feels like a setback now could end up being the foundation for key success down the road.