Rams came within inches of landing a former NFC starting quarterback in the trade market

The Los Angeles Rams nearly had the air apparent to Matthew Stafford on the roster after the first period of NFL free agency. 

Though the Rams signed Jimmy Garoppolo, the franchise almost landed a completely different backup quarterback. 

During an interview on the Puck Sports podcast, Mike Garafolo of NFL Media revealed that the Rams were targeting former Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell. 

Howell, who landed with the Seattle Seahawks, could have been the heir to the throne once Stafford retired. 

The Rams coaching staff wanted him "badly," Garafolo reported. However, they didn't get him because the Seahawks were willing to pay more. 

"The [Seahawk] outbid the Rams, who I know that there was a strong feeling on the Rams coaching staff that they wanted Sam Howell badly," Garafolo told host Jason Puckett. "They really liked him, so the Seahawks were able to outbid them. So that's good, you got him and you also kept him away from a team that really could have used him as a potential successor."

The Rams could have had a high-potential backup ready to take the reigns from Stafford when he was ready. The Seahawks paid more, however. In the end, Seattle traded a third-round pick (No. 78 overall) and a fifth-rounder (No. 152) to Washington.

Now the Rams will still be looking for the next signal caller after Stafford retires sometime in the next five seasons.