The Los Angeles Rams are moving forward this season with a retooled offense featuring Matthew Stafford's return at quarterback plus the addition of national championship winner Blake Corum in the backfield. The Rams won't include the services of Ben Skrowenek, the wide receiver whom the team almost released before trading him to DeMeco Ryans, CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans.

The news came amid Rams GM Les Snead leaving the door open for an Aaron Donald return to the team. The Rams' exciting 2024 draft class got a grade for each of its ten selections.

Now that the smoke has cleared, Rams fans are dissecting the team's latest moves, which including jettisoning Skrowenek in favor of playing time for the team's other offensive players.

Rams Deal Skrowenek to Texans 

The latest news cycle included the update on the Skrowenek deal which was made on Thursday. Tom Pellisero shared the update on X citing unnamed sources.

“Interesting…An obvious depth piece,' one fan said in response to the trade from a Texans vantage point. “I think this might be the nail in the coffin for Robert Woods.”

The Rams got 8 receptions and 66 receiving yards from Skrowenek last season, not exactly all-world numbers. The receiver was buried deep on the Rams' depth chart and figures to have the same experience in Houston, although Stroud is playing at a level that could elevate him to higher status.

Skrowenek Was Almost Released; Report 

Skrowenek was almost released according to a report from CBS Sports, but the Texans reportedly did not want to let the 26-year-old wideout hit the free agent market. The Texans and Rams will swap sixth and seventh-round picks in 2026 as a result of the trade.

Skrowenek was selected in the seventh round of the 2022 out of Notre Dame and has 58 receptions over the course of his career, turning in a career campaign in 2022 with almost 400 receiving yards for Matt Stafford, Sean McVay and the Rams. He will have to compete with a talented Texans receiving corps that now includes Woods and Diggs as well as several other rising stars including Tank Dell and Nico Collins.

The Rams will move on without the Fighting Irish product, having drafted 6-foot-4, 220 pound Texas Longhorns receiver Jordan Washington with the 213th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The rise of Puka Nacua and the return of Cooper Kupp gives the Rams a pair of front-line receivers, now they need Stafford to discover a Tom Brady-esque fountain of youth to move forward in a competitive NFC West ruled by the San Francisco 49ers.