The worst is confirmed for Matthew Stafford

Despite having won last season's Super Bowl, this season has been anything but a championship defense for Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams. Multiple injuries to stars like Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald coupled with pedestrian play on the field have resulted in a 3-8 record for the defending champions through the first 11 games of the 2022 season, all but confirming they won't qualify for the postseason when the calendar turns to 2023. 

And now, the final nail in the coffin for the Rams season may have just been hammered in. The Rams have placed Stafford on Injured Reserve with a neck strain, effectively ending his season.

“What we’ve got to figure out is with six games remaining, how much is he going to be available and what’s the best step for him?” Rams coach Sean McVay said on Friday.

“He can be upset with me, but I think he knows I have his best interest and we have his best interest [in mind],” McVay said. “And if that’s the case, then that’s definitely a possibility. But he’s going to want to play.”