From Matthew Stafford's aching back to the offensive line's protection concerns to rookies who might become contributors, questions abound for Rams.
Sean McVay has led the Rams to two Super Bowl appearances, one championship and six playoff appearances.
Now, as he prepares for his ninth season, the 39-year-old coach once again has a team regarded as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
The roster includes experience — quarterback Matthew Stafford is entering his 17th season — and young stars such as receiver Puka Nacua and edge rusher Jared Verse, the 2024 NFL defensive rookie of the year.
“I love the natural, just zest and the joy that this group has,” McVay said this week as players reported for training camp at Loyola Marymount.
After Stafford and the Rams agreed to terms on a contract adjustment last spring, general manager Les Snead provided McVay and Stafford with a bonus of sorts by signing receiver Davante Adams. The three-time All-Pro joins Nacua, receiver Tutu Atwell, running back Kyren Williams and tight ends Tyler Higbee and Terrance Ferguson to give the offense multiple weapons.
Snead also signed center Coleman Shelton — a member of the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI championship team — and defensive lineman Poona Ford. Ford will bolster a front that includes Verse, edge rusher Byron Young and tackles Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske, among others.
“We are stacked,” Williams said.
Which is not to say that McVay, Snead and the Rams do not have concerns.
Here are five issues to watch as the Rams prepare for their Sept. 7 opener against the Houston Texans:
How sore is Matthew Stafford’s back?
Stafford, 37, will not participate in team drills during the first week of workouts because of back soreness.
According to McVay: No big deal.
And it might not be.
Yet any time the most important player on the team is sidelined, it cannot be passed off as a non-issue, especially if the problem persists.
Stafford is already among the top 10 all-time in several NFL career passing categories, and he needs only 191 yards passing to reach 60,000.
Veteran backup Jimmy Garoppolo will take first-team reps during the first week of practices.
Can the offensive tackles adequately protect the quarterback?
In March, the Rams awarded left tackle Alaric Jackson a three-year contract that includes $35 million in guarantees. Three months later, McVay announced that Jackson was dealing with blood-clot issues in his legs for the second time in his career. The Rams quickly signed veteran D.J. Humphries to fill the void.
Jackson reported to training camp, but McVay gave no timeline for when he might be cleared to fully participate or play.
Humphries, 31, made the Pro Bowl with the Arizona Cardinals in 2021, but he suffered a major knee injury near the end of the 2023 season. In 2024, Humphries signed with the Kansas City Chiefs but played in only two games.
Right tackle Rob Havenstein, 33, had surgery on both shoulders after last season. The 10-year veteran said he would not be limited during camp.
Third-year pro Warren McClendon Jr. and veteran David Quessenberry are other tackles on the roster.
Should Snead have signed a cornerback?
With an improving pass rush led by Verse, the Rams stood pat during free agency and the draft, deciding not to add a cornerback.
Darious Williams, 32, and Ahkello Witherspoon, 30, are the projected starters with Cobie Durant and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. expected to play large roles for a position group that also includes Derion Kendrick and Josh Wallace, among others.
The Rams believe Forbes, a 2023 first-round pick by the Washington Commanders, has taken a major leap since they claimed him off waivers last December.
The Rams are hoping to avoid the disaster that was last year’s training camp: Kendrick suffered a season-ending knee injury during the first workout, Williams a significant hamstring injury during the second.
Will Rams and Kyren Williams reach agreement on an extension?
Williams is scheduled to earn $5.4 million this season in the final year of his rookie contract, according to Overthecap.com.
The Rams and Drew Rosenhaus, Williams’ agent, negotiated throughout the offseason, and they were scheduled to meet again Wednesday, McVay said.
Williams has rushed for at least 1,100 yards in each of the last two seasons and scored 31 touchdowns in that span. The Rams would like to keep him beyond this season, but at what price?
The Rams have not signed a running back to an extension since they awarded Todd Gurley a then-record deal in 2018.
Which rookies will establish themselves as potential contributors?
Ferguson, a second-round draft pick from Oregon, is expected to play a major role and eventually supplant Higbee.
Josaiah Stewart will work into the edge rushing rotation with Verse and Young.
Running back Jarquez Hunter and Blake Corum will back up Williams, Ty Hamilton could bolster the defensive line, and linebacker Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr. and receiver Konata Mumpfield will compete for roles in their position groups and special teams.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Category: General Sports
