What are the biggest storylines heading into Rams training camp?
The Los Angeles Rams reported to training camp on Tuesday and will hit the field on Wednesday as they continue to prep for the 2025 season. This is a team with high expectations after falling just short against the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs. With high expectations come a lot of storylines. Here are the biggest Rams storylines as the team heads into training camp.
1. Will the Rams get something done with Kyren Williams?
There seems to be growing optimism within the Rams organization that something will get done with running back Kyren Williams when it comes to an extension. Williams mentioned on Tuesday when he reported to training camp that he wasn’t planning on holding out or holding in. Sean McVay later mentioned that the team was expecting to meet with Williams’ agent on Wednesday.
Given that the Rams are meeting in-person with Williams’ agent, a deal could get done sooner rather than later. With Williams’ agent present, a deal could even come as early as Wednesday. it’s clear that the Rams see Williams as a valuable piece of the offense and his passion for the organization is certainly worth keeping around. At the same time, it needs to be done at the right price.
2. How will Rams navigate left tackle situation?
It’s never a good thing when a team is having to navigate the left tackle position on the offensive line to start training camp. However, with Alaric Jackson’s constantly evolving situation surrounding his blood clots, that’s where the Rams are.
Until Jackson returns, it appears that DJ Humphries will likely be the starting left tackle. He’s the player with the most experience and someone that can be trusted over a longer period to fill in at that spot. At the same time, Jackson will be doing some work on the side and may be able to return earlier than initially anticipated. This will be an ever-evolving situation, but as long as the Rams are able to build some cohesion with Humphries, that will be a positive.
3. What does next version of Sean McVay offense look like?
One of the storylines that I am most excited to watch is what changes are coming to the Sean McVay offense. The Rams offense certainly wasn’t bad last season, but it was one that lacked explosiveness. That lack of explosiveness may have been the most evident in the run game, but it expanded to the passing game as well. This was an offense that had to work extremely hard to move the ball down the field.
The Rams added pieces such as Terrance Ferguson and Davante Adams as well as Jarquez Hunter. Does McVay incorporate more 12 personnel and utilize Ferguson in the Kupp role to take advantage of zone defenses over the middle of the field? After complimenting Liam Coen and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers run game following the season, will the Rams use any 21 personnel? There may not be a lot of reports about what the offense looks like schematically in training camp, but it is something to watch.
4. Which Rookies Will Stand Out Early?
Speaking of Terrance Ferguson, one of the more exciting parts of training camp is being able to see which rookies are making a name for themselves. Last year, Braden Fiske and Jared Verse consistently garnered praise from the coaching staff. In 2023, Puka Nacua consistently got attention.
The Rams may not have an exciting rookie class like past years, but players like Ferguson and Hunter could make noise. Defensively, Josaiah Stewart and Chris Paul Jr. could be names to watch and players that sneak into the edge rotation. New additions and rookies are always going to get some attention as that’s part of what makes training camp exciting. However, it’s always interesting to see which rookies are separating themselves.
5. Are the cornerbacks really an issue and will Chris Shula be more comfortable in year two?
Going into the offseason, one of the biggest needs on the Rams defense appeared to be at cornerback. Yet, the offseason came and went and the Rams didn’t address the cornerback position. While the Rams could technically still make a trade or sign a player during training camp, the coaching staff appears content with who they have. They seemed to get better as the year went on, but it still appears to be a concern heading into 2025.
On that same subject, Chris Shula was a rookie defensive coordinator last year. Shula appeared to work himself into the position last year and get more comfortable as the season progressed. That was to be expected. Shula is now in year two which could mean more twists to his defense as well as an added comfort level as far as what to expect this time of year.
6. Is Matthew Stafford’s back soreness something to monitor?
Much like the left tackle situation above, it’s never good when you head into training camp and the starting quarterback is already monitoring an injury. It’s very possible that this is nothing, but the Rams tend to be vague when it comes to injuries. Stafford’s elbow injury in 2022 was made out to be nothing and then by March, McVay said, “people forget how big of a deal that was.”
Stafford will participate in the first five days of training camp in a limited capacity. This will be something worth monitoring until it isn’t. If Stafford returns to action next week and there are no further limitations, it becomes a non-story. Right now, the Rams will be missing their starting quarterback taking reps with the offense for the first five days.
7. How do Rams utilize Davante Adams and Tutu Atwell?
Arguably the biggest move for the Rams this offseason was the signing of wide receiver Davante Adams. The Rams moved on from Cooper Kupp and brought in Adams who should be able add some explosiveness to the passing game and be the legitimate “X” receiver on the outside that the Rams offense has needed. Adams may not be the All-Pro wide receiver that he once was, but that doesn’t mean he can’t have an impact. There’s a good chance that Adams and Stafford have a strong connection in the passing game.
At the same time, the Rams also brought back Tutu Atwell on a fully guaranteed $10 million contract. In past seasons, the Rams haven’t found ways to utilize Atwell consistently. After bringing him back on the contract that they did, the hope here is that changes. Still, there are questions on what that looks like. The Rams need to find ways to get Atwell involved as he adds a speed element that they lack otherwise in the receiver room.