The 2020 season was the Los Angeles Rams' 83rd season in the National Football League (NFL), their 84th overall, their 54th in the Greater Los Angeles Area, and their fourth under head coach Sean McVay. It also marked the team's first season playing their home games at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, which the team shares with the Los Angeles Chargers. This was the first season in which the Rams would share the same venue as the Chargers since 1960. Due to public health restrictions put in place due to the coronavirus pandemic, all home games (and most road games) were played without fans in attendance. The Rams improved on their 9–7 season from the previous year after a Week 17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, returning to the playoffs after missing out the previous season.
The Rams' strong defense was a key reason to their success; the team finished at the top of the league in most defensive statistics, such as total defense (281.9 yards per game), passing defense (190.7 yards per game), scoring defense (18.5 points per game), and also fared well in others, ranking third in run defense (91.3 yards per game), second in sacks (53), and 10th in takeaways (22, with 14 interceptions and 8 fumble recoveries).
In the Wild Card round, the Rams upset the rival Seattle Seahawks 30–20, advancing to the Divisional round, but lost to the top-seeded Green Bay Packers by a score of 32–18.
Offseason
Coaching changes On January 6, 2020, the Rams parted ways with long time defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, whose contract was not renewed. Special teams coordinator John Fassel, who had been with the franchise since 2012, was also not retained and took the same position with the Dallas Cowboys. Other staff members who did not return were assistant offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch, running backs coach Skip Peete, assistant special teams coach Matt Daniels, and director of strength training and performance Ted Rath. Several staff members shifted responsibilities or added to their duties. Run game coordinator Aaron Kromer also became the team's offensive line coach, while pass game coordinator Shane Waldron retained that title but is no longer the quarterbacks coach. Also, assistant wide receivers coach Zac Robinson and assistant quarterbacks coach Liam Coen swapped positions from the previous season. Kevin O'Connell was hired as offensive coordinator and Brandon Staley took over as defensive coordinator. John Bonamego was brought on board as special teams coordinator and was assisted by Tory Woodbury. Justin Lovett became the Rams' new director of strength training and performance.
Uniform changes In March 2019, the Rams announced they would debut new uniforms for the 2020 season. The new logos and colors were revealed on March 23. The new primary logo was derided by fans as well as former Rams players. The new uniforms were revealed on May 13 and were also heavily criticized by fans.
Roster changes
Free agency
Unrestricted PositionPlayer2020 teamDate signedContractDEMichael BrockersLos Angeles Rams March 27, 2020ILBCory LittletonLas Vegas Raiders March 25, 2020OLB Dante Fowler Atlanta Falcons March 25, 2020WR Mike Thomas Cincinnati Bengals March 24, 2020CAustin BlytheLos Angeles Rams March 26, 2020QBBlake BortlesDenver Broncos September 24, 2020KGreg ZuerleinDallas Cowboys March 30, 2020CBNickell Robey-ColemanPhiladelphia Eagles March 31, 2020FSMarqui ChristianNew York Jets September 23, 2020LBBryce HagerNew York Jets September 22, 2020 T Andrew Whitworth Los Angeles Rams March 18, 2020
Signings
Contract extensions
Releases/waivers On March 19, 2020, the Rams released running back Todd Gurley after they were unable to trade him. The move was made before the team would have to pay an additional $10.5 million on Gurley's $60 million contract extension that was signed prior to the 2018 season. Gurley was later signed as a free agent by the Atlanta Falcons.
Also on March 19, 2020, the Rams released linebacker Clay Matthews after one season.
Retirements On February 6, 2020, veteran safety Eric Weddle announced his retirement from the NFL after 13 seasons.
Trades
Draft
2020 Los Angeles Rams draft Round Selection Player Position College Notes 2 52 Cam Akers RB Florida State 57 Van Jefferson WR Florida from Houston 3 84 Terrell Lewis OLB Alabama 104 Terrell Burgess S Utah Compensatory pick 4 136 Brycen Hopkins TE Purdue from Houston 6 199 Jordan Fuller S Ohio State 7 234 Clay Johnston LB Baylor 248 Sam Sloman K Miami (OH) from Houston 250 Tremayne Anchrum G Clemson from Houston Draft trades The Rams traded their first-round selection (20th overall), as well as their first-round and fourth-round selections in the 2021 NFL draft to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The Rams traded their fifth-round selection (165th overall), as well as a 2019 third-round selection to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for linebacker Dante Fowler. The Rams traded cornerback Marcus Peters to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for linebacker Kenny Young and a fifth-round selection. The Rams later traded this selection as well as cornerback Aqib Talib to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a seventh-round selection in the 2022 NFL draft. The Rams traded wide receiver Brandin Cooks and their fourth-round selection in 2022 to the Houston Texans in exchange for the Texans' second-round pick (57th overall). The Rams traded their fourth round pick (126th overall) to the Houston Texans in exchange for the Texans' fourth round pick (136th overall) and two seventh-round selections (Nos. 248 and 250).
Undrafted free agents
Following the 2020 NFL draft, the Rams signed 20 undrafted rookie free agents who would compete for roster spots and participate in the team's offseason and training camp programs.
Player Position College Eric Banks DE UTSA Cohl Cabral C Arizona State Earnest Edwards WR Maine James Gilbert RB Kansas State Mike Hoecht DE Brown JuJu Hughes S Fresno State Trishton Jackson WR Syracuse Xavier Jones RB SMU J. J. Koski WR Cal Poly Dayan Lake CB BYU Josh Love QB San Jose State Tyrique McGhee CB Georgia Bryce Perkins QB Virginia Brandon Polk WR James Madison Greg Reaves ILB USF Sam Reener OLB Minnesota Christian Rozeboom ILB South Dakota State Levonta Taylor CB Florida State Jonah Williams DE Weber State Easop Winston WR Washington State
Staff
Final roster
Preseason The Rams' preseason schedule was announced on May 7, but was later cancelled due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Week Date Opponent Venue Result 1 New Orleans Saints SoFi Stadium Cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic 2 at Los Angeles Chargers SoFi Stadium 3 Denver Broncos SoFi Stadium 4 at Las Vegas Raiders Allegiant Stadium
Regular season Schedule The Rams' 2020 schedule was announced on May 7. Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 13 Dallas Cowboys W 20–17 1–0 SoFi Stadium Recap 2 September 20 at Philadelphia Eagles W 37–19 2–0 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 3 September 27 at Buffalo Bills L 32–35 2–1 Bills Stadium Recap 4 October 4 New York Giants W 17–9 3–1 SoFi Stadium Recap 5 October 11 at Washington Football Team W 30–10 4–1 FedExField Recap 6 October 18 at San Francisco 49ers L 16–24 4–2 Levi's Stadium Recap 7 Chicago Bears W 24–10 5–2 SoFi Stadium Recap 8 November 1 at Miami Dolphins L 17–28 5–3 Hard Rock Stadium Recap 9 Bye 10 November 15 Seattle Seahawks W 23–16 6–3 SoFi Stadium Recap 11 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 27–24 7–3 Raymond James Stadium Recap 12 November 29 San Francisco 49ers L 20–23 7–4 SoFi Stadium Recap 13 December 6 at Arizona Cardinals W 38–28 8–4 State Farm Stadium Recap 14 New England Patriots W 24–3 9–4 SoFi Stadium Recap 15 December 20 New York Jets L 20–23 9–5 SoFi Stadium Recap 16 December 27 at Seattle Seahawks L 9–20 9–6 Lumen Field Recap 17 January 3 Arizona Cardinals W 18–7 10–6 SoFi Stadium Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries Week 1: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Playing their first game ever in their brand-new home at SoFi Stadium, the Rams held off the Cowboys in a close battle of NFC contenders on Sunday Night Football. Receiving the opening kickoff (from former Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein), Los Angeles drove 75 yards in seven plays, with Malcolm Brown scoring the new stadium's first touchdown on a 1-yard run. Rookie kicker Samuel Sloman missed on his first field goal attempt, a 29-yard try that bounced off the left upright near the end of the first quarter, but later was successful on field goals of 35 and 31 yards in the second quarter. However, Dallas took a 14-13 halftime lead as Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott scored on both a touchdown run and a touchdown reception. The Rams reclaimed the lead as Malcolm Brown (who finished with a team-high 18 rushes for 79 yards) scored his second touchdown of the game on a 2-yard run midway through the third quarter to put Los Angeles ahead 20–14. Zuerlein converted a 33-yard field goal late in the third quarter, but it would be as close as the Cowboys would get. Rookie safety Jordan Fuller led the Rams with eight total tackles, including a key tackle of Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb on a fourth-and-3 play at the Rams' 9-yard line, just one yard short of a first down to kill a Dallas scoring drive. Wide receiver Robert Woods led Los Angeles with six receptions for 105 yards. Following the game, Rams head coach Sean McVay presented a game ball to team owner Stan Kroenke.
Week 2: at Philadelphia Eagles
Linebacker Micah Kiser had a breakout performance that earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors and tight end Tyler Higbee caught three touchdowns as the Rams broke a six-game losing streak to the Eagles (dating back to 2004) and gave head coach Sean McVay his first victory over Philadelphia after two prior defeats. With the win, the Rams earned their third consecutive 2–0 start. Making his second career start at inside linebacker after missing all of 2019, Kiser forced a fumble on the Eagles' opening drive. Linebacker Kenny Young recovered the fumble by Eagles running back Miles Sanders to give Los Angeles possession at the Philadelphia 41. Three runs for 13 yards by rookie running back Cam Akers and a 24-yard pass from quarterback Jared Goff to wide receiver Cooper Kupp set up a 4-yard scoring toss from Goff to Higbee with 11:15 remaining in the first quarter. Goff, who completed his first 14 passes, led the Rams to scores on their next two drives, the first ending with a 5-yard run around end by Robert Woods and the second capped off by a second TD pass to Higbee from three yards out. After the Eagles bounced back with a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter, the Rams extended their lead as kicker Samuel Sloman added a 30-yard field goal in the third period. Then in the fourth, Goff and Higbee connected for a third touchdown, this one from 28 yards. Second-year running back Darryl Henderson led the Rams on the ground with 81 yards on 12 carries, including his first career NFL touchdown on a 2-yard run with 3:41 remaining in the game. Kiser led the Rams with 15 total tackles (10 solo) along with the forced fumble and a pass deflection. While Los Angeles did not sack Carson Wentz, constant pressure forced the Philadelphia quarterback to throw two interceptions to L.A. cornerbacks Darious Williams and Troy Hill as the Rams got their first-ever win at Lincoln Financial Field as well as their first road win over Philadelphia since the 2001 season.
Week 3: at Buffalo Bills