The 2021 season was the Los Angeles Rams' 84th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 85th overall, their 55th in the Greater Los Angeles Area, the second playing their home games at SoFi Stadium and their fifth under head coach Sean McVay.
The Rams improved upon their 10–6 record from the previous season after a win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16, and clinched their second consecutive playoff berth the same week. Despite a Week 18 overtime loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the Rams won their division for the first time since 2018. They advanced to the NFC Championship after defeating the Arizona Cardinals in the Wild Card round and the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30–27 in the divisional round, where they faced their divisional rival San Francisco 49ers, winning the game 20–17 and advancing to Super Bowl LVI to be played at SoFi Stadium, becoming only the second team ever to participate in the Super Bowl in their home stadium. The Rams won their second Super Bowl overall, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 23–20 to win their first Super Bowl since 1999, and also won the franchise's first title (including pre-merger) as a Los Angeles-based team since 1951, in addition to the first Super Bowl title won by a California-based team since the 1994 49ers, and fourth overall. Coincidentally, in order to be the second team to win the Super Bowl in their home stadium the Rams had to get past the Buccaneers, who were the first. Unlike the Bucs, however, the Rams, despite playing in their home stadium, were the designated visiting team, as the league alternates between the two conferences annually. The team shares the stadium with the Chargers, who were designated as the Super Bowl host.
This was the Rams' first season since 2015 without quarterback Jared Goff on the roster, as he was traded to the Detroit Lions in exchange for Matthew Stafford.
Offseason Coaching changes The Los Angeles Chargers hired Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley as their new head coach January 17, 2021. Former Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator and interim head coach Raheem Morris was hired by the Los Angeles Rams as defensive coordinator on January 21, 2021, replacing Brandon Staley. Pass game coordinator Shane Waldron was hired by the Seattle Seahawks as their offensive coordinator January 26, 2021 Additionally, the Seahawks hired away Andy Dickerson to be their run game coordinator. Dickerson was the last remaining member of the coaching staff who had been with the team in St. Louis. The Detroit Lions hired cornerbacks coach Aubrey Pleasant as pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach on January 28, 2021. The Green Bay Packers hired Rams assistant head coach Joe Barry as their defensive coordinator February 8, 2021 Liam Coen departed the Rams to become offensive coordinator at the University of Kentucky Rams run game coordinator/offensive line coach Aaron Kromer was not retained.
Trades March 17To Los Angeles Rams 2023 seventh round pickTo Detroit Lions Michael BrockersTo Los Angeles Rams Matthew StaffordTo Detroit Lions Jared Goff 2021 third round pick 2022 first round pick 2023 first round pick
Uniform changes In July 2021, the Rams unveiled a third alternate uniform for the 2021 season. Introduced as a "modern throwback," the white uniform evoked memories of the white jerseys worn by the team from 1973 through 1999, while also incorporating many of the design changes that had been introduced a year earlier. In contrast to the pointed criticism that welcomed the earlier redesign, reaction to the new white alternate jersey was positive. The white jerseys made their on-field debut in the team's season opener and were ultimately used by the Rams in Super Bowl LVI.
Roster changes
2021 Los Angeles Rams draft Round Selection Player Position College 2 57 Tutu Atwell WR Louisville 3 103 Ernest Jones LB South Carolina 4 117 Bobby Brown III DT Texas A&M 130 Robert Rochell CB Central Arkansas 141 Jacob Harris WR UCF 5 174 Earnest Brown IV DE Northwestern 7 233 Jake Funk RB Maryland 249 Ben Skowronek WR Notre Dame 252 Chris Garrett LB Concordia–St. Paul Pre-draft trades The Rams traded their first-round and fourth-round selections as well as their 2020 first-round selections to Jacksonville in exchange for cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The Rams traded their third-round selection as well as a 2022 and a 2023 first-round selection and quarterback Jared Goff to Detroit in exchange for quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Draft day trades The Rams traded their fourth-round selection (#121 overall) and sixth-round selection (#209 overall) for the Jaguars' fourth, fifth, and seventh-round selections (#130, #170, and #249 overall).
In-season trades/acquisitions/releases On October 25, 2021, linebacker Kenny Young was traded to the Denver Broncos for a 2024 sixth-round pick. On November 1, 2021, linebacker Von Miller was acquired by the Rams in a trade with the Denver Broncos in exchange for second- and third-round picks in the 2022 NFL draft. On November 2, 2021, wide receiver DeSean Jackson was released by the Rams upon request. On November 11, 2021, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. signed a one-year deal as a free agent after being released by the Cleveland Browns. On January 12, 2022, after the regular season ended but prior to the postseason starting, free safety Eric Weddle came out of retirement to sign with the Rams.
Staff
Final roster
Preseason The Rams' preseason schedule was announced on May 12.
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 Los Angeles Chargers L 6–13 0–1 SoFi Stadium Recap 2 Las Vegas Raiders L 16–17 0–2 SoFi Stadium Recap 3 at Denver Broncos L 12–17 0–3 Empower Field at Mile High Recap
Regular season Schedule The Rams' 2021 schedule was announced on May 12.
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 12 Chicago Bears W 34–14 1–0 SoFi Stadium Recap 2 September 19 at Indianapolis Colts W 27–24 2–0 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap 3 September 26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 34–24 3–0 SoFi Stadium Recap 4 October 3 Arizona Cardinals L 20–37 3–1 SoFi Stadium Recap 5 at Seattle Seahawks W 26–17 4–1 Lumen Field Recap 6 October 17 at New York Giants W 38–11 5–1 MetLife Stadium Recap 7 October 24 Detroit Lions W 28–19 6–1 SoFi Stadium Recap 8 October 31 at Houston Texans W 38–22 7–1 NRG Stadium Recap 9 November 7 Tennessee Titans L 16–28 7–2 SoFi Stadium Recap 10 at San Francisco 49ers L 10–31 7–3 Levi's Stadium Recap 11 Bye 12 November 28 at Green Bay Packers L 28–36 7–4 Lambeau Field Recap 13 December 5 Jacksonville Jaguars W 37–7 8–4 SoFi Stadium Recap 14 at Arizona Cardinals W 30–23 9–4 State Farm Stadium Recap 15 Seattle Seahawks W 20–10 10–4 SoFi Stadium Recap 16 December 26 at Minnesota Vikings W 30–23 11–4 U.S. Bank Stadium Recap 17 January 2 at Baltimore Ravens W 20–19 12–4 M&T Bank Stadium Recap 18 January 9 San Francisco 49ers L 24–27 12–5 SoFi Stadium Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries Week 1: vs. Chicago Bears
Playing their first regular season game in front of fans at SoFi Stadium, the Rams overwhelmed the visiting Bears on Sunday Night Football. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week in his debut as Rams quarterback following an offseason trade with the Detroit Lions, completing 20 of 26 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns. Following an interception by Rams cornerback David Long Jr. on the game's opening drive, Stafford's first scoring toss came on L.A.'s third offensive play, as he found wide receiver Van Jefferson on a deep pass down the middle. Jefferson tumbled as he caught the pass, then got up and ran into the end zone to complete the scoring play. Kicker Matt Gay added two field goals (53, 22) to give Los Angeles a 13–7 halftime lead. The Rams pulled away with a dominant second half. Stafford's second touchdown pass went deep to a wide open Cooper Kupp who found himself behind the Bears secondary for a 56-yard scoring play. Running back Darrell Henderson led the Rams on the ground with 70 rushing yards on 16 carries, including a 1-yard touchdown run to cap an 8-play, 75-yard drive late in the third period. Kupp finished with seven receptions for 108 yards, while fellow wide receiver Robert Woods caught a 2-yard pass from Stafford to seal the Rams' victory. On defense, safety Jordan Fuller led Los Angeles with 11 tackles, while linebacker Kenny Young added 10 tackles and a fumble recovery, and fellow linebacker Justin Hollins had two sacks and a forced fumble. The game featured the introduction of a new white alternate throwback jersey for the Rams that resembled the team's uniform design from 1973 to 1999.
Week 2: at Indianapolis Colts
After building a double-digit lead on the road, the Rams had to rally back to defeat the Colts. Cooper Kupp scored on a 16-yard pass from Matthew Stafford and Matt Gay converted a 34-yard field goal to put Los Angeles ahead 10–6 at halftime, and running back Darrell Henderson's 2-yard TD run early in the third quarter gave the Rams a 17–6 advantage. But Indianapolis vaulted back in the lead 21–17 at the beginning of the fourth quarter when a bad punt snap resulted in a fumble recovery by Ashton Dulin in the end zone for a touchdown. Kupp, who caught nine passes for 163 yards, scored his second touchdown of the game on a 10-yard strike from Stafford and after the Colts tied the score on a Rodrigo Blankenship field goal, Gay's 38-yard field goal with 2:23 left put the Rams up 27–24. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey sealed the L.A. victory with an interception on the Colts' following drive. Defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day led Los Angeles with nine tackles including a sack.
Week 3: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
For the second time in three weeks, Matthew Stafford was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 343 yards and four touchdowns as the Rams started 3–0 for the fourth straight season with a victory over the defending Super Bowl champions. Following a scoreless first quarter, Los Angeles finished a 14-play, 95-yard drive when Stafford hit tight end Tyler Higbee with a 6-yard touchdown pass. Stafford struck again just before halftime with a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Stafford, who completed 27 of 38 passes, threw two more touchdowns, one to DeSean Jackson for 75 yards and another to Kupp for 10 yards and a 31–14 lead. Kicker Matt Gay had two field goals in the second half. Linebacker Kenny Young had a team-high 10 tackles and a sack to lead the Rams defense.
Week 4: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Despite holding a 10–7 lead in the first quarter, the Rams were outscored 30–3 until the game's final minutes and fell to the Cardinals for the first time since 2016 in a battle of unbeaten teams for the NFC West lead. Matt Gay's 42-yard field goal ended L.A.'s opening drive, and wide receiver Van Jefferson caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford for the early advantage. But Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray threw a TD pass to wide receiver Maxx Williams and running back James Conner ran for a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs in the second and third periods. Arizona got a pair of field goals from kicker Matt Prater to extend their lead to 37–13. The Rams got the final score on a 14-yard pass from Stafford to wide receiver Robert Woods. Safety Taylor Rapp had 12 tackles while Jalen Ramsey added five tackles and two pass deflections for the Rams defense.
Week 5: at Seattle Seahawks