What Is 2013 Los Angeles Rams season

Overview

The 2013 season for the Rams franchise is often misremembered due to the team’s later relocation. At the time, the team was still officially the St. Louis Rams, competing in their 17th season at the Edward Jones Dome. Despite growing speculation about a potential move back to Los Angeles, the franchise remained in Missouri throughout the 2013 NFL season.

Under head coach Jeff Fisher, the Rams showed flashes of improvement on defense but struggled with consistency on offense. Quarterback Sam Bradford started the season but suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 7, leading to a rotation of backups. The team finished with a losing record, failing to make the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season.

• Relocation status: The Rams were still based in St. Louis in 2013, with no official announcement of a return to Los Angeles until January 2016.
• Season record: The team ended the year with a 7–9 win-loss record, placing third in the NFC West division.
• Head coach:Jeff Fisher was in his third year as head coach, continuing efforts to rebuild the franchise’s culture and competitiveness.
• Key injury: Starting quarterback Sam Bradford tore his ACL in Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers, ending his season prematurely.
• Stadium: All home games were played at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, which had been the team’s home since 1995.

How It Works

The structure of an NFL season involves 17 games per team, with performance influenced by coaching, player health, and front-office decisions. For the 2013 Rams, the season reflected ongoing challenges in building a sustainable contender.

• Season schedule: The NFL regular season consists of 17 games over 18 weeks; the Rams played their first game on September 8, 2013.
• Division play: As members of the NFC West, the Rams faced the 49ers, Seahawks, and Cardinals twice each during the season.
• Coaching decisions:Jeff Fisher emphasized defense, which ranked 17th in points allowed but struggled to generate takeaways.
• Quarterback rotation: After Bradford’s injury, Kellen Clemens and Shaun Hill split time, combining for 1,380 passing yards and 7 touchdowns.
• Draft impact: The 2013 draft class included Eric Fisher (not a Ram) and Rams’ pick Barrett Jones, who played sparingly as a rookie.
• Relocation planning: Though not public in 2013, ownership was already evaluating a return to Los Angeles for future market expansion.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 2013 Rams to their post-relocation Los Angeles counterparts highlights significant differences in location, performance, and franchise direction.

While both seasons were losing campaigns, the 2016 move to Los Angeles marked a new era despite a worse record. The 2013 season was the last full year before serious relocation talks intensified. Fan engagement in St. Louis remained strong, but declining attendance hinted at waning local support. The return to Los Angeles in 2016 was driven by the promise of a larger media market and a new stadium, which opened in 2020 as SoFi Stadium.

Why It Matters

Understanding the 2013 Rams season clarifies the timeline of the franchise’s relocation and highlights the challenges of maintaining competitiveness in a smaller market. It also underscores how injuries and management decisions can shape a team’s trajectory over multiple seasons.

• Historical accuracy: Confirming the Rams were in St. Louis in 2013 prevents misinformation about the franchise’s geographic history.
• Relocation context: The 2013 season occurred during a period of growing uncertainty about the team’s long-term future in Missouri.
• Player development: Injuries to key players like Bradford delayed the team’s rebuilding timeline and affected draft strategy.
• Market dynamics: The NFL’s interest in returning to Los Angeles influenced ownership decisions behind the scenes.
• Fan impact: St. Louis fans felt increasingly alienated as relocation rumors grew louder after 2013.
• Legacy: The 2013 season is a footnote in Rams history but a key marker in the path to their 2016 return to Los Angeles.

The 2013 Rams season, though unremarkable on the field, played a quiet but pivotal role in the franchise’s eventual return to Southern California, setting the stage for a new chapter in NFL history.