Rams’ McVay and Snead Reveal Strategic Roster Building for 2025 Season at SoFi Stadium

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead have opened up about their collaborative approach to assembling one of the NFL’s strongest rosters ahead of the 2025 season, a process that has significant implications for the team’s performance at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium.

In a post-draft press conference, McVay explained how having returning players with starting experience has given the team greater flexibility in their recruitment strategy. “I think that plays a part when you have a roster where there are players coming back and returning with starting experience and playing experience. That definitely allows you to… I would say [there are] less ‘wide open’ spots,” McVay said.

Snead elaborated on the team’s selective approach to the draft, noting that quality took precedence over quantity. “If it would’ve been a draft where, again, I forget how many we picked overall, but six overall compared to 10 or 14 [players], but if it might have been a draft where you felt like the board could have given you 14 quality players, maybe you go that route. Again, if we would’ve brought in 14 draftees, it’s probably a hard roster to make though,” Snead explained.

The Rams’ leadership has been praised for having one of the most productive offseasons in the league, giving them additional flexibility heading into training camp. McVay detailed the meticulous process behind each roster decision, considering how new additions would contribute not just to the 53-man roster but also to the 48 active players on game day.

“I think in a lot of instances, because of some of the circumstances and situations that we’ve had, there’s a patience that we’ve had and that we’ve learned as coaches to give guys an opportunity to come in. They’re still going to earn it, but maybe they’re going to get more reps than they would’ve gotten otherwise,” McVay added.

This strategic roster building has significant implications for Inglewood’s sports economy, as a competitive Rams team drives attendance at SoFi Stadium and increases business for local restaurants and retailers on game days. The team is looking to build on last season’s playoff appearance, which brought thousands of football fans to Inglewood’s entertainment district.

The Rams finished the 2024-2025 season with a 11-6 record before advancing to the divisional round of the playoffs, where they ultimately fell to the Philadelphia Eagles 28-22.

This story draws on information from Sports Illustrated.