Rams make no moves at NFL trade deadline as HC issues a stunning verdict amid quarterback addition that nobody expected…

The Rams made it a priority to create cap space for the upcoming offseason, and this focus on financial flexibility posed challenges for any potential trade moves.

As the NFL trade deadline passed on Tuesday, the Rams refrained from making any last-minute transactions. Earlier in the season, they had already traded running back Cam Akers to the Minnesota Vikings and receiver Van Jefferson to the Atlanta Falcons, both in exchange for late-round draft pick swaps. However, no additional trades materialized during the actual deadline.

Finding a trade that made sense for the Rams at this juncture in the season was always going to be a formidable task. Since the conclusion of the 2022 season, the team has prioritized creating cap space for the offseason, which meant addressing the deferred dead cap space they had accrued in their pursuit of the Super Bowl LVI title.

This emphasis on financial flexibility was a contributing factor to the Rams making relatively limited free-agent acquisitions in the offseason compared to recent years. It also made the prospect of trading for an impactful veteran player seem unlikely.

Report: Rams to sign QB Dresser Winn. https://t.co/3JSR8ldKPZ

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) October 31, 2023

Furthermore, the Rams allowed several veteran players to leave during the offseason, resulting in a shortage of players who might have attracted significant trade offers from other teams. While offensive lineman Joe Noteboom could have been a potential trade candidate, especially with Kevin Dotson appearing to take over the right guard position, the Rams’ starting tackles have faced injuries this season, making Noteboom a valuable and versatile depth player.

Perhaps the situation might have been different if quarterback Matthew Stafford’s right thumb injury had been more long-term, but the Rams classified him as day-to-day with a UCL sprain on Monday.