The NFL offseason has barely begun and the Los Angeles Rams are already looking different than they did at the end of the 2024 season.
While the Rams have added talented names like wideout Davante Adams and defensive tackle Poona Ford through free agency, they've also lost their fair share of familiar faces. Long-time wideout Cooper Kupp was released before joining the rival Seattle Seahawks while rising DT Bobby Brown signed with the Carolina Panthers. That's without mentioning offensive guard Jonah Jackson's trade to the Chicago Bears.
Seeing that many key players leave town has left some Rams fans uncertain about the future. Their worries might fade, though, after one L.A. defender expressed optimism surrounding the team's outlook.
Braden Fiske Confident in Team's Outlook Despite Offseason Losses
Rams DT Braden Fiske was recently interviewed by Casino Beat's D.J. Siddiqi, discussing various topics that included the team's future. Despite losing key names like Kupp and Jackson this offseason, the former Florida State Seminole still feels like the Rams are good enough to hang with the NFL's top contenders.
"When you make it that far in the playoffs and you do play the defending Super Bowl champions and play them close, it gives you that confidence booster," Fiske said. "Maybe just that idea we’re right there — like of course we’re right there."
After disposing of the Minnesota Vikings on Wild Card Weekend, the Rams faced the high-flying Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round. Despite only entering the fourth quarter with a one-point deficit, Sean McVay's team struggled to re-take the lead and lost 28-22 to the Eagles.
Having said that, Fiske is confident that the loss will help the Rams grow as a team — even if some familiar faces are no longer around.
"I think that (elimination) drives a lot of guys on this team and a lot of people in this organization for where this team is and where we’re headed and the future and what we have," Fiske added. "I think it might have been a blessing in disguise for what we’re building on coming up in the next couple of seasons."
Experience can foster champions and the Rams only need to look at the team that eliminated them for inspiration. After all, the Eagles went from losing to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII to defeating them on football's biggest stage two years later, and that potentially wouldn't have happened had they not learned from their mistakes.
Hopefully, Fiske can play a big role in the Rams potentially going on a deeper postseason run next year. The former FSU disruptor finished third in AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting after recording 20 solo tackles, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a pair of fumble recoveries in 17 games (8 starts).