​Constructive 10-win seasons would ordinarily be considered a notable accomplishment for a head coach. Yet because those campaigns were followed by early exits from the postseason, Sean McVay refused to settle for the status quo. He did something that few coaches ever accomplish: he reinvented himself. McVay fused bully-ball looks with an elite passing attack to craft an offense that left the rest of the league chasing. If Los Angeles’s defense had held up its end, the Rams might have hoisted the Lombardi trophy.
In the 2025 season, the Rams leaned into a unique approach that blended heavy personnel with explosive aerial routes. They deployed 13-personnel packages—one running back, three tight ends, and one receiver—more frequently than any other team in the league, featuring 144 pass plays from this formation. That is a staggering number; the previous decade’s peak for 13-personnel pass attempts was 71. Despite stacking the field with tight ends to bolster the run, Los Angeles still propelled the passing game at an extraordinary rate, finishing with the third-highest pass rate relative to expectations. Their creativity and success on offense did not go unnoticed, as other teams began to look for ways to counter McVay’s approach.
Defensively, the Rams made moves in the background that reflected their commitment to continuity and stability. Defensive coordinator Chris Shula remained on staff despite interest from multiple teams, a decision that paid dividends as the unit grew more cohesive. The Rams enhanced their lineup by acquiring Myles Garrett from Cleveland in a trade that sent Jared Verse, a first-round pick, and several Day Two selections to the Browns. That deal eclipsed another major move: the acquisition of Chiefs corner Trent McDuffie, a first-rounder that the Rams still valued, underscoring their willingness to invest in top-tier talent on both sides of the ball.
In the backfield, quarterback Matthew Stafford benefited from a dynamic receiving corps. The roster featured a mix of veteran reliability and young playmakers, including wide receivers Puka Nacua and Konata Mumpfield, Davante Adams, Xavier Smith, Jordan Whittington, and CJ Daniels, with tight ends Colby Parkinson, Terrance Ferguson, and Tyler Higbee providing versatile option routes and additional blocking support. The offense’s heavy use of multiple tight ends helped mask run-game limitations and allowed Stafford to exploit favorable matchups through the air.
Despite McVay’s penchant for heavy formations, the Rams did not rely on the run to set up the pass. They ranked mid-pack on early-down rushing attempts but excelled in the passing game on early downs, finishing with the league’s best passing EPA per dropback on early downs. Even when opponents anticipated play-action less often on early downs, McVay’s play-action utilization remained extraordinarily high, leading the NFL with a 39.5 percent rate. The payoff was substantial: Stafford flourished, increasing his passing yards from 3,762 with 20 touchdowns in 2024 to an eye-popping 4,707 yards and 46 scores in 2025, earning his first MVP award in the process. Overall, Stafford finished as the quarterback fantasy third best, surpassing 20 points per game for the third time in his career.
As a result, fantasy managers began to take notice well ahead of 2026 drafts, recognizing the Rams’ offense as a blueprint for the modern passing game. The combination of a high-volume, play-action-driven attack and a fortified defense created a team capable of competing for championships if their defense could maintain its discipline and consistency. The 2025 Rams demonstrated that innovation, paired with strategic personnel decisions and a cohesive coaching staff, can produce offenses that outpace the competition and deliver standout fantasy numbers for a quarterback who redefined his career trajectory.