With the official addition of Aaron Donald, the Los Angeles Rams are by far and away the Super Bowl favorites for the 2026 season. However, just because the Rams have the most talent on paper doesn’t mean things can’t get in the way of them hosting the Lombardi Trophy. Here are five reasons that could derail the Rams’ Super Bowl chances.
5 Things That Could Derail the LA Rams Super Bowl Chances
5. History Isn’t on the Rams’ Side
The Rams are among the largest Super Bowl favorites ever, at +500 to start the season. Over the last 30 years, 20 NFL teams have been +500, and none of them won the Super Bowl or even went to the Super Bowl. That doesn’t mean the Rams can’t win it, but history isn’t on their side, given how big of favorites they are going into the season.
4. The Rams ‘ Biggest Stars Don’t Live Up To Expectations
The Rams are loaded with star talent, from Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, and Davante Adams on offense to Trent McDuffie, Myles Garrett, and Aaron Donald on defense. If the Rams’ biggest stars don’t play well this season or play at a level below what they are used to, it will keep the Rams from winning a Super Bowl. The Rams will need all hands on deck from their biggest stars, and if they can’t all perform at the star level they’ve been accustomed to, it will be trouble for the Rams. Garrett was one of the more surprising trades in the NFL history and he will need to immediately pay dividends for the Rams.
3. Tough Division (NFC West)
The NFC West sent three teams to the playoffs in 2025: the Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks, the reigning Super Bowl Champions. Both the 49ers and the Seahawks won’t back down to the Rams just because they are the Super Bowl favorites. The Rams went 4-2 in the division last year, splitting match-ups with the 49ers and Seahawks, and finished second to the Super Bowl Champion Seahawks.
The Seahawks and the Rams faced one another three times last season, with the Seahawks beating the Rams two of those three games. The defending champions will definitely want to send a message to LA after LA is now viewed as the NFL’s team to be, instead of the defending champions.
2. Offensive Line Depth
The Rams return the same five starters on their offensive line from last season; however, outside the starters, there isn’t much significant depth. Alaric Jackson, Steve Avila, and Kevin Dotson are above-average starters at their position, but if any one of them were to miss significant time, it could spell trouble for the Rams.
They drafted tackle Keagan Trost back in April, but a hamstring injury in the first preseason game set the rookie back, which could hurt the Rams’ depth. They also have a backup offensive lineman in Justin Dedich, who’s recovering from a hand injury. If the Rams’ offensive line suffers any injuries, that could be bad news for Matthew Stafford, who is one of the older players in the league and one of the least mobile quarterbacks.
1. Matthew Stafford’s Health
Stafford is the reigning NFL MVP; however, coming into last season, there were serious questions surrounding Stafford’s health. Last offseason, Stafford dealt with a back issue that kept him out for the whole offseason. Everyone in the Rams organization was concerned about whether Stafford would be able to play at all in 2025. He went on to win the MVP, but questions still remain around the 2025 MVP’s health.
Despite all the talent the Rams have, if their quarterback isn’t healthy and has to miss time, that would be the surest way for the Rams’ Super Bowl hopes to go downwards. At age 38, it’s fair to question if Stafford could remain healthy throughout the totality of the season.
If backup quarterbacks Ty Simpson or Stetson Bennett have to play for an extended period of time this season, that all but signals deep trouble for the Rams’ Super Bowl chances.
Main Image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
