Rams’ biggest mistake at 2026 NFL Trade Deadline appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It has been a tough go for the Los Angeles Rams and Puka Nacua this season. But Matthew Stafford will have to soldier on. And here is the Rams’ biggest mistake at the 2026 NFL trade deadline.
Advertisement
If the Rams were super serious about their postseason plans, they probably should have made a move at the receiver position. With Nacua down and Davante Adams still out, the Rams are down to next to nothing at the receiver position.
The Rams’ biggest mistake was not getting a WR via trade
It can be said the Rams didn’t really try, according to ESPN.
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)
“The Chargers said no to at least one Ladd McConkey inquiry,” Jeremy Fowler wrote. “Teams I spoke to believe the Rams were the ones to make that call. Overall, though, the Rams didn’t seriously consider a receiver move because they expect both Puka Nacua and Davante Adams to return this season. And in the short term, they believe Matthew Stafford can maximize the supporting cast of receivers.”
Advertisement
But there’s a big problem. The Rams are 5-4 with some very tough games coming up. They can’t afford many more losses, or they might miss the playoffs altogether. It doesn’t look like they will be able to catch the 49ers. And the Wild Card battle looks like it will be fierce, with all three potential slots coming from the NFC North.
It looks like the Rams are willing to roll with their in-house products. That opened the door for one player: Konata Mumpfield. Stafford will need to give him more attention, according to Sports Illustrated.
“There is not a bigger winner than Konata Mumpfield,” Blaine Grisak wrote. “He is now the top wide receiver on the depth chart and will get an opportunity to show what he can do in a larger role.
“It’s very clear that the coaching staff likes him in the offense. An argument can be made that Mumpfield hasn’t seen many opportunities because of Stafford’s comfort level with Nacua. Now is his chance to show what he’s capable of.”
Advertisement
Mumpfield came to the Rams in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Last season, he caught 10 passes for 92 yards and a score. This year, he has 11 catches for 162 yards and a touchdown.
Also getting a look will be Tutu Atwell. He’s a former second-rounder who has never lived up to expectations. His career high in yardage was 562, coming back in 2024. It’s hard to know whether Atwell or Mumpfield will get more usage.
But the problem remains that the Rams didn’t do enough.
Even the jokes are falling flat for the Rams
McVay said he has considered 34-year-old Robert Woods, who is the team’s assistant wide receivers coach. Collective Bargaining Agreement rules prevent a coach from becoming a player. But McVay said it would be interesting if it could happen, according to NBC Sports.
Advertisement
“I’ve looked at him, and the way he looks out there, I’ve definitely been tempted,” McVay said. “I think that’d be a violation of the CBA. I don’t know what he’d have to do, but he looks damn good and still is smooth out there. Very tempting.”
Click Above to Subscribe
But instead of making jokes, McVay should have leaned on the front office to make a deal. The Rams will be short-handed for quite some time, just when they need to get wins.
And here’s the kicker: Adding another receiver would have helped them even when Nacua and Adams both get back on the field. It sure seemed like a no-brainer situation.
Advertisement
Of course, the Rams haven’t gone the conventional route this season. They drafted Ty Simpson with the No. 13 overall pick instead of adding a receiver. So how short-sighted does that decision look now? Imagine if Stafford could take this opportunity to throw the ball more to Makai Lemon, KC Concepcion, or Omar Cooper Jr.? Sure, hindsight is 20-20, but nearly every expert not named Dan Orlovsky said the Rams made a mistake. Again, they did, if they were serious about winning the Super Bowl this year.
Related: Rams make official Puka Nacua IR decision after knee injury
Related: Rams’ Davante Adams targeting Week 12 return vs. Packers from hamstring injury