47Three years later, the Rams traded for Miller, on
Nov. 1, and he would then play a pivotal role in helping
Snead secure another addition, Odell Beckham Jr., the
wideout he trained with in Colorado Springs. Miller
dreamed that they would play together, and even won-
dered about Cleveland, where Beckham began the sea-
son. “Don’t come to Cleveland,” Beckham told him.
After the Browns released Beckham and he cleared
waivers on Nov. 9, both Miller and cornerback
Jalen Ramsey began calling the wideout daily, trying
to recruit him. He signed with the Rams three days later.
In integrating all these talents, McVay, the sche-
matic wizard, leaned on what some Rams describe as
their coach’s greatest strength. McVay doesn’t take the
talented players Snead acquires and try to shoehorn
him into expected roles. Stafford finished the regular
season with career highs in passing touchdowns (41)
and completion percentage (67.2) while recording
4,886 passing yards, third best in the league. The Rams
won another NFC West title and finished 12–5.
McVay subscribed to a comparison made by Stafford’sold friend Lucas, that the quarterback was similar to
former NBA all-star Dirk Nowitzki—loved across the
league, respected, aiming for the title he had never
won in his 13th pro season. “There’s so many guys on
our team who are easy to root for, who are playing for
something other than themselves,” McVay said before
the Super Bowl. “That is our real strength, and it’s
going to shine through on Sunday.”T
HE RAMS BEGAN Super Bowl LVI prep in a
clea r headspace. T hough major life quest ions
among their most critical pieces—Donald,
mulling retirement, McVay reportedly mull-
ing the broadcast booth—existed somewhere in the
background, the immediate task at hand could pacify
the uncertainty.
The team was relaxed in those days leading up to
kickoff against the Bengals and Zac Taylor, a former
McVay assistant who knew the team and its machina-
tions intimately.
Still, the Rams didn’t deviate from their routine. TheyLOS ANGELES RAMSKO
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