Summary of What's next for the Rams and Broncos after falling just short of the Super Bowl?

Overview of The Athletic Football Show — "What's next for the Rams and Broncos after falling just short of the Super Bowl?"

Hosts Derek Klassen and Dave Hellman break down postmortems for the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams after their conference-championship losses. The episode assesses roster construction, cap/draft flexibility, key free-agent decisions, quarterback outlooks (Bo Nix and Matthew Stafford), and short-term strategies each club should pursue heading into the 2026 offseason. They also touch on recent coaching moves around the league and how those hires might reshape team futures.

Key takeaways — Denver Broncos

• Big-picture: The Broncos exceeded expectations in 2025 and are well-positioned to push again in 2026. The front office has already locked up many core pieces, leaving flexibility to add targeted upgrades rather than rebuild.
• QB outlook: Bo Nix’s ankle injury complicates the immediate narrative, but if he recovers, both hosts believe he’s capable of leading a Super Bowl contender provided Denver surrounds him with more playmaking skill talent. They expect him to remain under team control for the near future (no big contract crunch yet).
• Roster strengths: Elite defensive front, strong offensive-line infrastructure, multiple starters already extended or under team-friendly contracts.
• Primary needs:
  • More explosive skill‑position weapons (one difference-making WR or RB). Suggestions included pursuing a one-year veteran rental with upside (e.g., Mike Evans-type idea) or using early picks on receiver/running back/tight end.
  • Some youth and depth at linebacker and a couple interior/OL depth upgrades.
• Free-agent / retention priorities: John Franklin‑Myers (edge/DT) is the top target to re-sign if price is reasonable. Alex Singleton (age concerns at 32) and other vets (e.g., linebackers) are replaceable if the team prefers to get younger. Nate Adkins (blocking/move TE) is a cheap restricted‑free-agent priority to keep.
• Draft & cap: The Broncos hold many picks (seven+; three top‑100) and roughly $27M nominal cap space now — but can restructure to free $50M+ if they choose. The recommended plan is a mix of modest FA additions and draft investment early (first two rounds) on weapons, with mid/late picks used for depth.
• Coaching/staff: Vance Joseph’s potential departure is an X‑factor (would likely net a compensatory pick). The Broncos have institutional stability with Sean Payton leading offense; loss of offensive assistants (e.g., Davis Webb interviewing elsewhere) is manageable but worth watching.
• Projection: If they add one or two high‑impact pieces, expect Denver to remain a top‑8 AFC team and a repeat contender in 2026.

Key takeaways — Los Angeles Rams

• The Stafford decision is existential: Matthew Stafford (turning 38) deciding to play in 2026 is the single biggest determinant of the Rams’ immediate direction.
  • If Stafford returns: Rams can largely run it back, keep most starters, and use draft capital to address defensive back, linebacker, and tackle needs. They have two first‑round picks and good cap flexibility short term.
  • If Stafford retires (or leaves): Rams face tougher decisions — likely re-sign Jimmy Garoppolo or hunt for a veteran bridge, or draft/develop a QB (not an attractive short-term option).
• Roster strengths: Young, cheap, high‑quality defensive front; depth from rookie contracts; strong future cap outlook (hosts noted significant cap room in 2027).
• Primary needs:
  • Outside corner and linebacker depth (secondary was exposed vs. Seattle).
  • Tackle (Rob Havenstein is aging/free agent) and more youth at key defensive back spots.
  • Depth at receiver/tight end if Devonta Adams ages or is expensive — but if Stafford returns, Adams is likely to be kept as part of the “win-now” plan.
• Draft strategy ideas:
  • Use one first‑round pick to address defensive back/linebacker if a clear day‑one starter is available.
  • Alternatively, with two first‑rounders, take one “safety valve” defensive starter and use the other for an offensive weapon or a special fit (hosts floated a top tight end to exploit 13 personnel for Sean McVay).
  • Prospect names discussed as fits: Sonny Styles (LB), Caleb Downs (S) — both would add communication and playmaking to the middle of the defense.
• Free-agent/retention considerations: Keep Cam Curl (safety) if price is reasonable; consider retaining Kobe Durant (corner) depending on role and cost. Devonta Adams (33) produced fewer yards than earlier seasons but remains valuable in a run/13-personnel offense — likely a package‑deal if Stafford returns.
• Projection: With Stafford back and smart use of picks and cap, Rams can be a 10–12 win team again; without him, they enter a more uncertain transition year.

Coaching/news roundup (high‑level)

• Steelers hire Mike McCarthy — hosts view this as an uninspiring, conservative hire that maintains organizational competency but may not deliver a clear new direction. McCarthy’s strengths: experience and some quarterback development track record; weaknesses: template feels similar to predecessor, and it may not retool the roster dramatically.
• Ravens hire Jesse Minter (Chargers DC) as head coach — seen as continuity with prior Baltimore defensive identity and a sensible pick to sustain an elite defense alongside Lamar Jackson.
• Other notes (brief): Mike McDaniel will remain a sought-after figure (linked to Chargers OC role earlier), multiple coordinator/offensive hires announced around the league (Jonathan Gannon to Packers, etc.) — dominoes continuing through the offseason.

Notable quotes / framing

• “If it’s by an inch or by a mile, the Lombardi trophy is what matters.” — used to justify building around a quarterback who can win the title even if not an elite passer.
• Rams strategy shorthand: “Get Stafford to say ‘I’m back’ for one more run, then spend picks on the defense and leave the QB question for later.” (Hosts framed this as their preferred fan/club wish.)

Actionable priorities (what each team should do this offseason)

• Denver Broncos

  1. Prioritize re-signing or tendering key restricted vets (Nate Adkins, JaQuan McMillan) and evaluate John Franklin‑Myers market.
  2. Use early draft capital (first two rounds) to add a true weapon (WR/TE/RB) and one younger linebacker — emphasize playmakers who fit Bo Nix’s strengths (intermediate/outside throws).
  3. Consider low‑risk FA “batteries” (one physical RB to pair with RJ Harvey, and possibly a one‑year veteran WR rental) rather than wholesale cap splurges, unless ownership wants to aggressively push.
  4. Monitor Vance Joseph / staff turnover and plan for possible scheme adjustments if he leaves.

• Los Angeles Rams

  1. Get Stafford’s decision quickly — the roster construction plan hinges on it.
  2. If Stafford returns: keep core veterans (likely Devonta Adams), re-sign/discourage assistant poaching (retain play callers like Nate Sheilhaus if possible), and spend first‑round picks on corner/linebacker/tackle upgrades. Consider adding a top tight end if it creates a unique offensive advantage.
  3. If Stafford retires/leaves: prioritize a competent veteran bridge QB and preserve draft flexibility to invest in QBs or multi-year QB development without sacrificing the already-strong defensive core.
  4. Be willing to replace or upgrade outside corners rather than hope for small internal fixes.

Bottom line

• Denver: momentum, cap flexibility, and draft resources make them a logical “buy” for 2026 — one or two targeted additions (weapon + youth at linebacker) could convert them into a Super Bowl favorite.
• Rams: everything hinges on Matthew Stafford. If he returns, the Rams can reconfigure a deep, young roster into another top NFC team with smart draft/FA moves. If he doesn’t, the franchise faces a tougher pivot and must choose between an expensive veteran bridge or investing draft capital in a QB.

The hosts close noting the draft cycle is heating up, many assistants are being courted for higher jobs, and the next weeks will reveal the staff/roster choices that determine how realistic each team’s 2026 hopes are.