OTAs & minicamp

10 Observations from Rams’ first OTA practice of 2025 offseason program: Excused Puka Nacua absence, Davante Adams, Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell’s playmaking, and more

Stu Jackson

https://www.therams.com/news/10-observations-rams-first-ota-open-practice-2025-offseason-program-excused-puka-nacua-absence-davante-adams-jordan-whittington-and-tutu-atwell-s-playmaking-and-more

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – The Rams held their first OTA practice on Wednesday. While wide receiver Puka Nacua was not on the field due to an excused absence, that afforded additional snaps and opportunities to fellow receivers Davante Adams, Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington to build their connection with quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Here are some of the notes and observations from it:

1) Nacua excused absence due to “special trip” with family: McVay said the wide receiver had been in communication about this trip a couple months in advance and is returning from it today, which is why he wasn’t on the field for the team’s OTA workout. (And it’s worth reiterating these workouts are voluntary until minicamp).

2) Kyren Williams present for OTAs: Even as the Rams running back heads into the final year of his contract, he was present for the team’s first OTA workout of the spring.

“Kyren has been the same stud that we know,” head coach Sean McVay said. “Great demeanor, great willingness to come out here, to work, to be able to get better. He’s been great in terms of our communication. It means a lot, just because, you don’t minimize those things are real, and those are real things that guys have to navigate.”

3) Extended look at Stafford-Adams connection: Nacua’s absence naturally created more opportunities for Matthew Stafford to look new wide receiver Davante Adams’ way throughout team drills Wednesday. The tempo and body control Adams is known for playing with was on display on one pass he snared from Stafford over the middle during 11-on-11 work.

4) Competitive mix: As added context, the Rams maintained the same approach with pitting the projected first-team offense against the first-team defense, first-team offense against the second-team defense and vice-versa, and so on.

5) Play of the day: Stafford had a deep touchdown pass over the middle to wide receiver Tutu Atwell, with Atwell displaying the speed he’s known for when given the opportunity to make plays.

6) Play of the day, Part II: Nacua’s absence also meant more opportunities for second-year receiver Jordan Whittington on Wednesday. His best catch of the day was a leaping, two-handed grab on a corner route toward the sideline.

7) Getting to see what Forbes can do: Third-year cornerback Emmanuel Forbes didn’t see a ton of action after being claimed late last season off waivers from the Commanders, at least until Week 18 against Seattle when Los Angeles rested its starters and gave him 52 defensive snaps and four special teams snaps, according to Pro Football Focus (McVay said Wednesday he thought Forbes “did some really good stuff” in that game). On Wednesday, he intercepted a Jimmy Garoppolo pass intended for wide receiver Xavier Smith on an out-breaking route near the sideline.

8) Jolly on the spot: Cornerback Shaun Jolly corralled an interception Wednesday on a Matthew Stafford pass.

Playmaking like that from Jolly and Forbes is likely why McVay said he feels really good about the development of the group, and where the secondary as a whole is at.

9) Derion Kendrick participating: McVay said it was “good to see” the fourth-year cornerback out there. Kendrick’s season ended prematurely last year due to a torn ACL sustained in the first week of camp.

10) Special visitor: Lakers coach JJ Redick took in Wednesday’s OTA workout, and also spoke with Rams players.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said he first connected with Redick prior to him getting the Lakers job, and that he “always respected him from afar.”

“A well-thought-out guy, a great willingness to look inwardly (for) areas of improvement, understanding how you bring people together,” McVay said. “Really enjoyed him coming out.”

from Rodrigue, https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6389112/2025/05/28/rams-kyren-williams-at-otas-amid-healthy-ongoing-contract-talks-other-notes/

notes from the Rams’ first day of organized team activities (OTAs)

(As a reminder, the team enforces a media policy that prohibits reporting specifics about the depth chart, plays and formations or other such details.)

• McVay was asked again whether the Rams remain open to trading for Dolphins star cornerback Jalen Ramsey after Miami expressed a willingness to facilitate a trade this offseason. Again, the head coach didn’t rule out the possibility or downplay the Rams’ interest, saying, “We would never close out those opportunities,” but added that the Rams and Dolphins have not recently had “meaningful” dialogue on the matter.

McVay also said he doesn’t believe the team needs to add more players to the secondary (outside of Ramsey, who would be a unique case) and cited cornerback Emmanuel Forbes’ development after arriving in L.A. late last season and cornerback Derion Kendrick’s return to the field (Kendrick can play outside or in the slot). Forbes did jump a route during a team period and intercepted backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

• Third year star receiver Puka Nacua had an excused absence from Wednesday’s practice as he returns from a trip with his mother. Second-year receiver Jordan Whittington took on a significant portion of Nacua’s workload and made several tough catches across the middle and sealed off the edge on more than one occasion during run plays, which drew praise from some coaches. (Note that real contact is not allowed during these practices.)

• Veteran receivers Davante Adams and Tutu Atwell also made their presence felt. In seven-on-sevens, Adams stretched vertically for a contested catch won against Kendrick. Meanwhile, Atwell caught a deep pass for a touchdown after getting two steps on his defender in 11-on-11s. Rookie seventh-round pick Konata Mumpfield made a tough catch in coverage, with a second defender closing down over the top of his route.

• Inside linebacker Omar Speights and safeties Kamren Kinchens and Quentin Lake worked to the side with athletic training staff during part of the team period.

• Right tackle Rob Havenstein is not practicing as he recovers from offseason procedures on both shoulders. He said earlier this spring that he expects to be ready for training camp. The Rams have been developing third-year offensive lineman Warren McClendon as a backup swing tackle.

• Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick attended Wednesday’s practice and spoke with the team. “There’s so much crossover in leadership and the platform that we’re blessed to be able to have,” said McVay, who initially met Redick shortly before the latter accepted the Lakers job in 2024.

Rising Rams Player Has Caught McVay’s Attention in OTAs

https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/los-angeles-jordan-whittington-sean-mcvay-matthew-stafford-davante-adams

The Los Angeles Rams’ offseason has been filled with notable additions. The Rams have added talent across the board, as they aim to pick up where they left off last season. After a disappointing playoff loss that was nearly a win, the Rams look poised to march back to the postseason.

The Rams’ roster has taken strides this offseason. Los Angeles has many new faces, but a player who was already on the roster has arrived at Organized Team Activities exceptionally prepared.

Rams Head Coach Sean McVay credited second-year wide receiver Jordan Whittington with a strong showing in OTAs.

“It’s funny, I was just talking to him out on the field. What I think is great is when guys put the work in and they just continue to show I’m getting better and better and I’m creating value, whether that’s on teams or whether that’s doing a great job within his role as a receiver, you can see the accumulation of experiences led to a confidence, ability to be able to fill in when needed,” McVay said.

“Thought he had a really good day today. You can see he’s just got a real comfort level in terms of what’s being asked. What’s the intent of some of these plays? What are the route nuances, and where do I fit within these concepts? And so I’ve just been really proud of the progress, the maturity. But when you talk to people, going back to his time at Texas, this is who he’s been. He’s been all that and more with us, and today was an excellent step in the right direction for him.”

McVay reportedly entered the offseason desiring to make the Rams’ offense more explosive. The addition of Davante Adams undoubtedly helps make that happen. However, Matthew Stafford has a history of assisting lesser-known wide receivers to excel. He will need to do so again this season.

The Rams have one of the best rosters in the league, but it will take every player on the roster to help Los Angeles make the type of postseason run many believe they are capable of. They have one of the best head coaches and quarterbacks in the league to help make it happen.

Still, up-and-coming players like Whittington will be vital to the Rams’ chances of success this upcoming season. The future looks bright in Los Angeles; time will tell how bright that future is.

10 Observations from Rams’ second open 2025 OTA practice: Tutu Atwell capitalizing on opportunities, Emmanuel Forbes’ playmaking and Terrance Ferguson’s touchdown catch

Stu Jackson

https://www.therams.com/news/10-observations-from-rams-second-open-2025-ota-practice-tutu-atwell-capitalizing-on-opportunities-emmanuel-forbes-playmaking-and-terrance-ferguson-s-touchdown-catch

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – The Rams held their second OTA practice on Tuesday. Wide receiver Tutu Atwell made the most of the opportunities that went his way, cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. effectively picked up where he left off in the first OTA practice, and rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson had one of the best catches of the day.

Here are some of the notes and observations from it:

1) Foundational context: As mentioned in the first 10 observations of the spring, Los Angeles mixes it up in team drills with the projected first-team offense facing the projected second-team defense, the projected second-team offense facing the projected first-team defense, and so on.

2) Atwell’s reliable hands: The fifth-year wide receiver made noise in the first OTA practice for hauling in a deep touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford, but today it was for his success on the other end of Stafford’s short and intermediate throws, catching the first four passes thrown his way.

3) Forbes continues to shine: A pass breakup early in team drills on a Jimmy Garoppolo pass intended for rookie wide receiver Mario Williams drew praise from head coach Sean McVay afterward. Between that moment and Forbes’ interception in the first OTA practice, the third-year cornerback has impressed this spring.

4) Stafford sharp: What you’d expect from a 17-year veteran quarterback, but the biggest example of this was the way he threaded the needed between multiple defenders for his first completion to Atwell. He later had a pinpoint throw to wide receiver Britain Covey in team drills.

5) Play of the day: Stafford connecting with tight end Terrance Ferguson on a back-shoulder throw in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown during the team’s competitive “mamba” period during red zone drills.

6) Play of the day, Part II: After misconnecting with running back Kyren Williams on a potential touchdown, Stafford zipped the ball through a tight window over the middle to tight end Tyler Higbee for the touchdown the very next play in that same mamba period.

7) Almost: Veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon nearly came up with an interception on the very first play of team drills when Garoppolo’s pass went through wide receiver Britain Covey’s hands and almost into his.

8) Almost, Part II: Forbes was also active in the mamba period, nearly picking off a juggled pass.

9) Fiske in action: Defensive end Braden Fiske was an active participant in Tuesday’s workout.

“He’s been awesome, he’s gotten out there on the grass, taken a few reps these last few days, and he just looks like himself,” defensive coordinator Chris Shula said.

10) Another special guest in attendance: Rams legend and former left tackle Andrew Whitworth was on hand for Tuesday’s workout, taking some time to give pointers to the offensive linemen before watching practice from the sidelines.

Los Angeles Rams’ Emanuel Forbes Impresses Early, But McVay Now Needs To See Morehttps://t.co/GtaXizViul

— LAFB Network (@LAFBNetwork) June 12, 2025

wv wrote:

“concept trigger”. Anybody know what that is? I dont think i have one. Anybody around here have a concept trigger?

w
v

I think McVay basically means that Forbes can see the design of an offensive play pre-snap and as a defender knows what to do in response.

This is what the google AI bot says about that:

In NFL football, a concept trigger for a defensive back is a visual cue or pattern recognition that prompts a specific reaction or adjustment in coverage or pursuit. These triggers can be based on offensive formation, receiver release, or even the quarterback’s footwork

First minicamp practice in Maui coming up! 📍🌴 pic.twitter.com/N9opsBx5TP

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) June 17, 2025

from https://ramblinfan.com/3-rams-veterans-who-ascended-from-inert-to-indispensable-in-minicamp-01jy4f2607e3

who are the standouts from the relatively little-known players who are leapfrogging their teammates with impressive performances through minicamp? If you ask Rams HC Sean McVay, he has no trouble naming three veterans on the defensive side of the football to highlight as shakers and movers this season. They are ILB Nate Landman, OLB Brennan Jackson, and CB Emmanuel Forbes.

***

Landman. Brennan. Forbes.
Asked Sean to name drop a bit and a couple on defense might bear watching come training camp. https://t.co/VPn3adXfes

— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) June 19, 2025