Sean McVay continues to talk about getting his offensive weapons more involved, but his actions tell a different story. Week after week, Sean McVay’s offense runs through Puka Nacua, leaving Matthew Stafford with limited dependable options when Puka Nacua isn’t the target or if he is not on the field.
Nacua is undoubtedly one of the NFL’s best receivers, but the Rams cannot continue relying on him to carry such a significant portion of the passing game. Despite McVay’s intentions to distribute opportunities, the offense repeatedly gravitates toward Nacua when it needs a play. That raises a legitimate question: Is Sean McVay naive to the playmakers around Matthew Stafford?
NFL commentators have repeatedly pointed out the limitations of the Rams’ supporting cast. Other wide receivers and tight ends have struggled to consistently create separation, particularly when working through their routes and getting out of their breaks. When receivers cannot generate meaningful separation, Stafford is forced to make tighter-window throws or move on to another option.
Drops have only compounded the problem. Stafford has consistently put the ball in positions where his receivers can make plays, but too many opportunities have ended with incomplete passes. For a quarterback playing at a high level, that has to be frustrating.
The Rams have an elite quarterback and a superstar receiver, but that combination needs more support. McVay cannot keep expecting Nacua to be the answer to every offensive problem. Whether through a trade or another personnel move, Los Angeles needs another legitimate playmaker who can separate, create after the catch and consistently secure the football.
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The Rams were not hesitant in 2021 to add Odell Beckham Jr to the WR room when they already had Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. Robert Woods went down with a torn ACL and showed just how important it was to have WR depth for the stretch run. Had Odell Beckham Jr stayed healthy in the Super Bowl, the Rams might have blown out the Cincinnati Bengals because they could not account for Odell Beckham Jr and Cooper Kupp.
The longer the Rams wait, the more predictable their offense becomes.
