The Los Angeles Rams are chasing their third Super Bowl in franchise history. Even with the sting of a 49ers loss still fresh and their next game not until Monday night against the New York Giants, Super Bowl expectations for 2026 are definitely high. But sometimes, the most unforgettable seasons aren’t the ones ending with confetti and rings. It’s the journey, the unexpected turnarounds, that truly stick with you.
2023’s Wild Playoff Sprint
Man, let’s talk about 2023. Coming off a brutal 5-12 season, Sean McVay was reportedly questioning his NFL commitment. No first-round pick for a rebuild, Aaron Donald’s contract ate over half the defense’s investment, Cooper Kupp missed the first month, and they started 3-6. Who saw what happened next?
That rookie class? Insane, especially with no first-rounder! Puka Nacua made history, Kobie Turner and Byron Young were defensive steals. Steve Avila and Davis Allen contributed too. One of the best draft classes in team history, it improved with Warren McClendon, Desjuan Johnson, and continued presence from Stetson Bennett and Davis Allen. They flipped a switch, winning seven of their last eight games and storming into the playoffs out of nowhere. A one-point loss to the Lions kept them from the second round. Wild!
The 2017 McVay Magic
Then there’s 2017. McVay took over a 4-12 team and, without a first-round pick, flipped the 32nd-ranked scoring offense to the TOP in the league! This was the year Todd Gurley exploded into an MVP runner-up, and Jared Goff stepped up as a decent starting quarterback. Cooper Kupp was one of their all-time great picks, and snagging Andrew Whitworth and Robert Woods as free agents? Pure genius. Aaron Donald grabbed his first career Defensive Player of the Year award. They lost to the Falcons in the wild card round, sure, but that team absolutely set the stage for a deep Super Bowl run in 2018. A true franchise revival!
The 1979 Underdog Heartbreak
And you can’t talk about memorable seasons without 1979, one of the greatest underdog stories ever. This L.A. team, just 9-7, faced the mighty Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl. Pittsburgh was 12-4 and had already bagged three Super Bowls in the 70s! The Rams, ultimate longshots, actually held a fourth-quarter lead, even pulling ahead 19-17 in the third quarter on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Lawrence McCutcheon to Ron Smith. What a battle!
So, while the Rams gear up for Monday night’s clash with the Giants, trying to shake off that 49ers loss and string together wins for their 2026 Super Bowl push, it’s cool to look back at these seasons. Sometimes, the drama, the unexpected highs, and even the heartbreaks, make a team truly legendary, Super Bowl or not. Let’s see if this 2026 squad adds their own unforgettable chapter.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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