The 2023 NFL draft was pivotal in several team transformations. Going into the 2023 draft, there was no question that the Los Angeles Rams were going to revamp themselves by injecting some much-needed young blood into their roster. And so they did. When the draft ended, the Rams had garnered 40 rookies. While the move might have been necessary, it has not been easy on everyone, including the quarterback Matthew Stafford. Recently, his wife Kelly Stafford revealed some unheard barriers her husband was facing with his younger teammates.

The 35-year-old quarterback Matthew Stafford is all set to enter his third season with the Rams, and his 15th NFL season overall. Since he became the Detroit Lions’ No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft, Stafford has been one of the top-performing players in the league. After being traded to the Rams in March 2021, he won his first Super Bowl during his first year with the team. With the experience he has under his wing, one would think nothing could faze him. Turns out, that is not true.

Matthew Stafford is struggling to connect with his teammates

Currently, the Los Angeles Rams have the youngest roster in the League, with an astounding average of less than 25. On the other hand, the 35-year-old quarterback is now a veteran with 14 years of football magic backing him. Herein lies the crux of Stafford’s struggles. In an episode of her podcast, ‘The Morning After’, Kelly Stafford revealed how her husband has been having a tough time connecting with his young teammates.

Kelly, during her podcast, revealed, “They get out of practice, and meetings during training camp, and they go straight to their phones. No one looks up from their phones.” This has not been sitting well with the 35-year-old Rams veteran. According to her, the move made Matthew Stafford wonder, “I don’t know…Am I the dad? Do I take their phones? What do I do here? I want them to see me not as a coach.” Not to say that Matthew Stafford is not making enough effort to gel with his younger mates.

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According to a Tweet by JPAFootball, Stafford went to the lengths of getting a “face book” printed just so he could remember the faces of his fellow comrades. Still, his scramble to be one with his teammates is still underway. As Kelly revealed, “They say ‘Sir’ to him and s**t. He’s like ‘No, we’re on the same level here, we’re both playing in the league. Let me get to know you.’” Nonetheless, Matthew Stafford is not yet ready to throw in the towel.

The internal war wages on

With one of the oldest players on the roster, and only one of the two having more than a decade’s worth of experience, there is no doubt that Matthew Stafford is a leader among his peers. Therefore, his current mindset is, “I don’t know how to lead people I have no connection with. I have to somehow find a way to connect with them.” Barring him, defensive tackle Aaron Donald is the only other player with more than 10 years of football under his wing. Only four other players on the team are 30 years or older.

However, with a lackluster previous season, the Los Angeles Rams have to step up their game going into the 2023 NFL season. With the injection of new talent and the scales tipped in favor of the young, Matthew Stafford will soon have to find a way to connect with his teammates. This will pave the way to an ironclad leadership, and maybe an aggressive turnaround for the Rams.

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