The 2008 season was the St. Louis Rams' 71st in the National Football League (NFL) and their 14th in St. Louis. They failed to improve upon their 3–13 record from the previous season and dropped to a 2–14 record.
On September 29, 2008, following a 0–4 start, head coach Scott Linehan was fired and replaced by defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, who occupied the head coach position with the team for the remainder of the 2008 season.
Off season
After having been hospitalized for several months with breast cancer, owner Georgia Frontiere died on January 18, 2008. Frontiere's son and Rams owner Chip Rosenbloom wanted to have the team wear its old blue and yellow uniforms from the 1999 season, but was denied his request by the NFL stating that he needed to give a one-year notice. Rosenbloom announced on April 24, 2008 that the Rams will have a patch on the left shoulder of the jersey with the word "Georgia" written the way Frontiere signed her name during the 2008 season.
Free agency
On March 1, the first day of free agency, the Rams signed place kicker Josh Brown from the Seattle Seahawks to a five-year, $14.2 million contract to replace retired Jeff Wilkins. On March 3, the Rams signed Offensive Lineman Jacob Bell as a free agent from the Tennessee Titans to a six-year, $36 million deal, and includes a $7 million signing bonus. On March 6, the Rams signed Tight End Anthony Becht as a free agent from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for an undisclosed amount.
NFL draft
Prior to the draft, Billy Devaney was named vice president of player personnel, and took over decisions in for the off season and draft. The Denver Broncos traded their sixth-round selection (180th overall) to the Rams for defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy. The Rams traded their seventh-round selection (209th overall) to the Minnesota Vikings for offensive tackle Adam Goldberg. The Rams received the Cincinnati Bengals' seventh-round pick (217th overall) in exchange for Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Rams received one seventh-round pick (252nd overall) as a compensatory selection.
During Draft Day, the Washington Redskins traded their fifth-round and seventh-round selections (#157 and #228 overall) to the Rams for its two sixth-round selections (#168 and #180 overall).
Training camp
Steven Jackson held out of camp because he believed he was underpaid, and there was only one year left on his rookie contract. He later ended his holdout and said that he would report to camp. Jackson ended his holdout officially, after he signed a six-year contract worth a maximum of $49.3 million, including $21 million in guarantees. The final two years of the deal can be voided upon performance so it can be a three-year extension worth $29.3 million. At the time, this made him the highest paid running back in the NFL.
Personnel
Preseason schedule
Schedule
Standings
Regular season week-by-week results
Week 1: at Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles raced out of the gates to dismantle the Rams 38–3, the Eagles’ largest opening week margin-of-victory ever. Rookie DeSean Jackson pulled down a 47-yard reception on the second play over Tye Hill, and the drive finished with a shovel pass touchdown to Brian Westbrook. Donovan McNabb marched the Eagles down the field again on their second possession, finding L.J. Smith in the back of the end zone to make it 14–0. During the drive, Hill was beat again, this time by Greg Lewis on a double move and was benched for the game. Late in the second quarter, receiver Hank Baskett beat the coverage and scored on a 90-yard reception. Fullback Tony Hunt scored from a yard out in the third quarter and the rout was on. DeSean Jackson's 60-yard punt return set up a short field goal for David Akers, and Philadelphia's lead grew to 31–0. Westbrook added a 6-yard rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter before Josh Brown kicked a 46-yard field goal to avoid the shutout.
McNabb had a vintage performance, throwing for 361 yards (mostly in the first half) and three scores. Jackson, Greg Lewis, and Baskett each had over 100 yards receiving. Westbrook ran for 91 yards and two touchdowns, while the defense completely shut down the St. Louis offense. The Rams didn't convert on all 11 3rd down plays, the first time since 1991. Steven Jackson had 40 yards on 14 carries and the team averaged 2.4 yards rushing.
In addition to beginning the season 0–1, the Rams suffered injuries with Leonard Little leaving the game with a hamstring injury, Drew Bennett with a foot injury and Orlando Pace with bruised ribs.