Rams coach Sean McVay first connected with his new quarterback Matthew Stafford while they were drinking margaritas in Mexico — no, really.
Stafford originally caught the eye of McVay back in 2016 when Stafford recalled a game-winning drive he had with the Lions when they played Washington, McVay’s former team. So, when the two coincidentally vacationed in Cabo San Lucas this off season at the same time and met, McVay was excited for what their future could hold.
Stafford became an official Ram just a few days after their return from Mexico. Since then, McVay hasn’t held back when it comes to speaking about his new quarterback and how impressed he’s been by Stafford’s performance so far. Stafford also commented how “it’s been fun” to work with McVay and the Rams despite the adjustment of joining a new team.
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Here’s a round-up of what McVay and Stafford have been saying about each other.
McVay on Stafford
On his first impression of Stafford
"He's got so many great experiences to draw on, but I was just impressed with his ability to sit there and be able to talk with you as he's recalling moments that occurred years ago."
On how happy he is to have Stafford as his quarterback
"Everybody says, 'Man, you just seem like you're in a better mood this offseason.' And I said, 'You're damn right I am.'"
On his excitement of Stafford in the offseason
"Bro, this dude’s a bad MF-er. Whatever people say about him, as good as it can be, he’s even better than advertised. It makes sense to him. The guy’s ability to see the game, his ability to draw on his experiences, the feel that he has, it’s pretty special and unique. And man, his feel for people, his authentic way of connecting with his teammates, his coaches, this guy, it’s great being around him.”
On Stafford's debut as a Ram
“I think it was a great job by him being able to flip his hips and make an unbelievable throw. I think that’s kind of one of those things – he’s gifted. He’s got a great ability to be able to change his arm slot and make all types of throws, whether it be short, intermediate or down the field. You’re not limited in anything you can do in the pass game. Hopefully we’ll continue to build on options and opportunities that we have moving forward.”
Life would be bliss if we could all find someone to look at us the way Sean McVay is looking at Matthew Stafford. pic.twitter.com/YXyreWbmBG
— Kory Woods (@KoryEWoods) September 29, 2021
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Stafford on McVay
On working with McVay in the offseason
“There’s things I’ve done in the past that I think make sense to him and make sense for our offense. There’s also things that I’ve never been exposed to that are in this offense that I’m trying to learn and make second nature to myself as well. So, it’s been fun. We’ve been able to kind of bounce ideas back and forth off of each other."
On adjusting to McVay's system
“It is a big adjustment. You know, people think it’s just learning a new system. I think the biggest thing and the toughest thing for me is forgetting the old one. There were so many words that used to mean something in an old system that means something different in a new one, and that’s the biggest part of it I think is difficult when you’re stepping into a new system and new terminologies.”
On what McVay let him use from his Lions playbook
“A little bit of the snap count stuff. A couple plays here and there, but for the vast majority of it I’m learning, you know, his offense, the Rams’ offense, and trying to play it the way I see it should be played. But it’s definitely mostly their stuff with a couple of sprinkles here and there of stuff I’ve done in the past and had success with. But I’m having a bunch of fun. It's a challenge, but it’s a lot of fun.”