Since winning Super Bowl LVI, the Los Angeles Rams and general manager Les Snead have put together a rebuild that felt more like a reload, recharging a championship contender with consistent drafting and smart roster decisions. However, their inability to overcome obstacles in the postseason has often come down to one poor move in the offseason.

The failures in 2022 were affected by how the Rams addressed the departures of Super Bowl heroes Andrew Whitworth, Von Miller, and Odell Beckham Jr. In 2023, their loss to the Detroit Lions came down to a difficulty in replacing Jalen Ramsey and what Allen Robinson should have been.

Perfectly acceptable. It's hard to fix holes, and the Rams fixed a lot, especially without having first-round picks. However, in 2024 and 2025, the Rams made two foolish signings that led to their postseason exits. In 2024, it was signing Jonah Jackson to a massive deal, expecting Steve Avila to make the switch to center. The switch didn't happen, Jackson started at center, got injured in Week 1 and Beaux Limmer took over. Jackson never regained his starting role, and Limmer missed a crucial block against Jalen Carter on the final drive of the game, prompting Snead to get Coleman Shelton back on the roster. The ripple of that move was massive.

Jackson was then traded to the Chicago Bears, where he did his part as Chicago almost knocked off the Rams in the divisional round last season.

In 2025, the Rams' mistake was signing Tutu Atwell to a $10 million deal. Yes, Atwell was the player who stretched the field for Puka Nacua and Davante Adams to attack underneath. But $10 million guaranteed is a lot for a player who doesn't produce in the McVay offense. Plus, that money could've been used to address the cornerback position. Instead, the Rams made zero additions to the defensive back room and the secondary collapsed in the NFC Championship Game, where Atwell was a healthy scratch.

This year, the Rams avoided that signing, using their money to address holes in the secondary and on special eams. However, in the final moments of the NFC Championship Game, there were two evident truths about the Rams. They need one coverage linebacker, and one more playmaker on offense. The Rams then spent their first-round pick on a quarterback, Ty Simpson, while already having an MVP in Stafford.

Perhaps their second-round pick, Max Klare, could be the difference on offense. Maybe Nate Landman and/or Omar Speights will take a step up in pass coverage.

Here's the scenario. Snead didn't whiff in free agency, giving the Rams a winner and he's about to be a two-time Super Bowl champion. Or, he whiffed in the draft, failing to add an instant contributor, leading to another promising season ending in failure.

This is high stakes, and Snead has proven he's one of the best to ever do it. However, his limited first-round track record has hits and misses, with generational talents and major misses.

One thing is true: When we write the Hall of Fame biography, Snead will be considered an all-time executive. This offseason, and this decision specifically, will be the difference between being one of the greats or the greatest NFL executive of all time.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams GM Les Snead took the ultimate gamble in the draft this year