While there is still football left to be played with the playoffs coming up, the Rams have announced their end-of-year team awards for the 2024 season with the regular season coming to a close.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford received the Daniel F. Reeves Memorial Award, given to the team's most valuable player. It's his second-straight year receiving it. Voted a captain by his Rams teammates for the fourth-straight year, Stafford has completed 340 of 517 pass attempts for 3,762 yards with 20 passing touchdowns. His passing yards are currently ninth-most in the NFL, and his overall play since the bye week played a pivotal role in Los Angeles going 9-2 over its last 11 games and clinching a playoff berth. Earlier this season, Stafford passed Eli Manning (366) and moved into 10th on the NFL's all-time passing touchdowns list (currently has 377). He also passed Dan Marino (4,967) for ninth on the NFL's all-time completions list with 5,174 and moved into 10th on the NFL's all-time passing yards list (currently has 59,809).
Outside linebacker Jared Verse earned the Carroll Rosenbloom Memorial Award, given to the team's rookie of the year. Entering Week 18, the Florida State product leads all rookies in pressures (74), hurries (53) and quarterback hits (18). He is currently tied for second in tackles for loss (11) and fifth in sacks (4.5). Across the NFL, Verse is tied for second in hurries (53), fourth in pressures (74), tied for sixth in fumble recoveries (two) and tied for 26th in tackles for loss (11). In Week 16, Verse joined teammate Braden Fiske as the only rookies to record at least 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in franchise history.
Tight end Tyler Higbee received the Carl Ekern Spirit of the Game Award, given to the player who best exemplifies sportsmanship, ethic and commitment to his teammates, and the Ed Block Courage Award, given to a player who is a role model of inspiration, sportsmanship and courage. He battled back from a major knee injury sustained in the Rams' 2023 Wild Card playoff game against the Lions – as well as offseason shoulder surgery – to make his return in Week 16 against the Jets, and connected with Stafford on the go-ahead touchdown in that game in what marked the fourth win in the Rams' current five-game win streak.
Higbee has been praised by coaches and teammates for his steadiness, toughness, resilience, and commitment throughout that rehabilitation process. Despite missing most of the season's practices, Higbee has remained a leader and valuable contributor to the team. In the community, Higbee purchased gifts for two families served by the Watts-Willowbrook Boys & Girls Club this holiday season. He also purchased items on holiday wish lists for two families in need including grocery gift cards, Visa gift cards to help pay bills, furniture, toys for the children, electronics as well as clothing items for members of each family.
