THOUSAND OAKS, CA — Matthew Stafford has had a successful season in his first year as quarterback of the Los Angeles Rams, however in addition to the hard work, dedication and having something to prove, Stafford gives credit to his offensive coordinator in Kevin O’Connell.
“I’ve known Kevin for a while spent a brief little bit with him in Detroit when he was playing,” Stafford said. “Getting the chance to work with him this year… he’s been spectacular. I wouldn’t be where I am right now playing in this game (Super Bowl LVI) with this group the way we’ve been playing if it wasn’t for his help. He does an unbelievable job being able to teach, not only the game but what we are trying to do inside of it at our position at quarterback.”
As the leader of the offense Stafford is no stranger to communicating with his teammates, but learning how to become an even better communicator with the help of O’Connell has paid dividends for this team. In the last two seasons, O’Connell has had to teach and coach two very different quarterbacks in Jared Goff and now Stafford.
“His demeanor and his ability to communicate and get to know guys on our team and demand a lot at the same I think will serve him well,” Stafford said.
The Rams finished with a 12-5 record for the 2021 season as Stafford threw for 4,886 yards, 41 touchdowns and a 102.9 QBR which was incredible in his first year under center. Often times the quarterback and team takes on the personality of their head coach, but this offense also took on the personality of their offensive coordinator. The questions remained if Stafford who had an 0-3 record in the playoffs could get the Rams to the promise land or “football heaven” as Von Miller described the Super Bowl this year. O’Connell’s teaching, poise, and faith in the veteran quarterback paid off as the Rams went through a gauntlet of playoff competition defeating the Arizona Cardinals, sent Tom Brady and the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay into retirement, and overcame their nemesis in the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship.
Both O’Connell and Stafford have developed a incredible working relationship that has produced results that the organization has envisioned since their last appearance in Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta where they lost to Brady and the Patriots. Stafford was phenominal in the playoff run that trickled down throughout the offense, defense and special teams. He is 3-0 in the postseason in his first season with the Rams. The culture that was instituted by head coach Sean McVay before the arrival of O’Connell and Stafford, those two have elevated it to a new plateau and hopefully they will be able to lead the Rams to hoisting that Vince Lombardi trophy on February 13 at SoFi Stadium.
(courtesy of Los Angeles Rams)
“Kevin is such a great communicator, they spend a lot of time together and Kevin does a great job leading the way for our offense,” McVay said of the relationship between Stafford and O’Connell. “They have a great relationship, but there is mutual respect and positively push each other and those are two guys that are instrumental and big reasons why we are in this position.”
With the sights set on winning their first championship, O’Connell is reportedly being rewarded with a head coaching opportunity with the Minnesota Vikings next season. Stafford on the other hand continues to keep everything in perspective. “Just go out there and whatever the day is, go out there and execute as best as you can.”
