Rams’ Veteran Roster Raises Concerns
The Los Angeles Rams have been busy this offseason, gathering talent as if they were casting for a major film. But there’s a catch—many of their players are not exactly fresh faces.
According to a recent analysis, the Rams hold the NFL’s second-oldest roster as they prepare for the 2026-27 season, boasting an average age of 27 years and about 214 days. The Atlanta Falcons narrowly edge them out with players averaging 27 years and 220 days. Interestingly, the Pittsburgh Steelers follow closely, featuring the league’s oldest player, Aaron Rodgers, who is 42 years and 281 days old, bringing their roster’s average to 27 years and 208 days.
Before the official announcement of the 53-man roster on Sunday, the Steelers were set to have the oldest roster; however, with the news that 35-year-old Aaron Donald would return from retirement to rejoin the Rams, Los Angeles’s average age experienced an uptick.
To add to the mix, the Falcons recently brought in kicker Nick Folk, who is 41 years and 308 days old, officially making them the team with the oldest overall roster.
The age rankings were compiled by analyzing the current players on each team’s 53-man roster, with ages considered as of the NFL’s opening night on September 9. The overall league average hovers around 26 years and 303 days, which means the Rams are nearly nine months older than the typical NFL squad. In fact, there are ten teams that currently surpass the 27-year mark in average age.
The Rams’ roster is tailored for immediate success, not for slowly developing over time. It’s a strategy aimed at winning a Super Bowl now, blending seasoned veterans with a strong core of championship-caliber talent. While younger players may bring vigor, experience often becomes crucial when it comes down to high-stakes football in January.
The last NFL team with the oldest average roster to clinch the Super Bowl was the 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who had notable stars like Tom Brady. Their average roster age was roughly 27 years and 153 days.
So, the Rams find themselves in familiar company, and perhaps, just maybe, this season could mirror the Buccaneers’ journey to a Super Bowl victory—especially if it unfolds in their home stadium.
