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znModeratorWarren Sharp@SharpFootball
“How you play in two-minute is the X-factor for NFL QBs”-NFL offensive coordinator discussing QB performance
best QBs in final 4 mins of each half:
1. Matthew Stafford
2. Joe Burrow
3. Aaron Rodgers
4. Kirk Cousins
5. Drake Maye
6. Dak Prescott
7. Mac Jones
8. Justin Herbert
9. Bryce Young
10. Jared Goff
11. Lamar Jackson
12. Josh Allen
13. Brock Purdy
14. Bo Nix
15. Patrick Mahomes
16. Tua Tagovailoa
17. Jalen Hurts
18. Daniel Jones
19. Joe Flacco
20. Tyler Shough
21. Baker Mayfield
22. Justin Fields
23. Jordan Love
24. Trevor Lawrence
25. Shedeur Sanders
26. Caleb Williams
27. Jacoby Brissett
28. Spencer Rattler
29. Sam Darnold
30. Cam Ward
31. C.J. Stroud
32. Geno Smith
33. Michael Penix Jr.
34. Jaxson Dart
35. J.J. McCarthy*2025 regular season
znModeratorznModeratorNFL Researcher@NFL_Researcher
Most sacks since 2014…1. Myles Garrett – 125.5*
2. T.J. Watt – 115.0*
3. Danielle Hunter – 114.5
4. Khalil Mack – 113.0
5. Aaron Donald – 111.0^*Drafted in 2017
^Has not played since 2023znModeratorLAFB Network@LAFBNetwork
The first time in NFL history the reigning MVP practices against the reigning DPOYznModeratorGreg Beacham@gregbeacham
The Rams just finished up their first practice back in Woodland Hills. Sean McVay says there’s no update on Aaron Donald’s possible return. They’ve got Sunday off before another 4-day block of workouts in WH, including a joint practice with the Cowboys on Tuesday.znModeratorNate Atkins@NateAtkins_
The Rams are back at Woodland Hills, and today was another practice where the defense suffocated the offense.Kam Kinchens, Kam Curl and Myles Garrett came up with turnovers.
Sean McVay said it was the secondary’s best day yet.
Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Out at Rams practice today. They might have to start giving that Myles Garrett guy more “veteran rest” days. Can totally take over a practice drive. Including a pick six right off a screen and high-step into the end zone.znModeratorCameron DaSilva@camdasilva
Sean McVay said Ty Simpson will definitely play in the preseason, but he hasn’t deciding on Stetson Bennett.That’s a good sign for Bennett.
znModerator
znModeratorfrom PFF Cornerback Rankings: https://www.pff.com/news/pff-cornerback-rankings-the-top-32-players-entering-the-2026-nfl-season?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dhtwitter&utm_content=null
4. Trent McDuffie, Los Angeles Rams
The Rams paid a hefty price to acquire McDuffie, and a dive into the metrics makes it easy to see why. Since he was drafted in 2022, McDuffie’s 90.2 PFF coverage grade ranks second in the NFL behind fellow 2022 draftee Sauce Gardner. Last season, he earned a 74.7 coverage grade that ranked 18th among qualified cornerbacks while tallying one interception and four pass breakups.15. Jaylen Watson, Los Angeles Rams
Watson joins ex-Chiefs teammate Trent McDuffie in Los Angeles this season on the heels of his highest-graded campaign to date. His 74.1 PFF grade ranked 18th among qualified cornerbacks in 2025. While he did pick off two passes and break up three others, it was Watson’s work in the run game that really stood out. Watson’s 83.5 PFF run-defense grade ranked sixth among all qualified cornerbacks.znModeratorJackson Durham@JDurham_FBall
When asked what he’s learned about Myles Garrett from rushing with him in camp Braden Fiske started with“Not all men are created equal”
znModeratorMax Klare with the first team. pic.twitter.com/AFxTL5Ye0T
— Allen Sales (@AllenSales) August 7, 2026
znModeratorWinner: OLB Wesley Bailey
Could Bailey be a hidden gem at outside linebacker? Surprisingly, he’s gotten reps with the starting defense opposite Myles Garrett, which doesn’t mean he’s going to make the team or play meaningful snaps this season, but it is a positive development for the undrafted rookie. He’s a big, athletic edge rusher with good potential, and if he doesn’t make the 53-man roster, he should stick on the practice squad, at least.From older posts around draft time:
1.Louisville OLB Wesley Bailey
He has an RAS of 9.83Bailey is a terrific athlete at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, running a 4.69 in the 40 with an outstanding 10-yard split of 1.53 seconds. He’s one of the most athletic edge rushers in this class.
2.
DE Wesley Bailey – Louisville | Another potent edge rusher, Bailey exploded in one season for the Louisville Cardinals in 2025 with 6.0 quarterback sacks and seven tackles for a loss.
znModeratorWinners and losers of Rams training camp: Who stood out for LA?
Cameron DaSilva
The Los Angeles Rams are headed back to Woodland Hills to finish their preparation for the 2026 season, wrapping things up at LMU with the conclusion of camp this week. They got in 10 solid practices, many of which were open to fans, progressing from where they were in the spring during OTAs.
Training camp is obviously a time for players to move up and down the depth chart, either helping or hurting their chances of making the team based on how they perform in practice. It’s not the determining factor, but it does have a significant impact on final roster decisions.
Here are the winners and losers of camp, focusing primarily on non-starters.
Winner: QB Stetson Bennett
It wasn’t a perfect camp for Bennett, but it is clear that he’s the favorite to back up Matthew Stafford over Ty Simpson. Even with some miscues in practice, Bennett received high praise from coaches and teammates. Sean McVay called him a “real bright spot” and complimented the growth he’s shown from year to year and week to week.Winner: CB Cam Lampkin
Lampkin is fighting for a spot on the roster and after training camp, he has a real chance to make it. He stood out in practice and made several impressive plays, making life difficult for the receivers he was covering on a daily basis. Lampkin is a real sleeper on defense this season, someone who could contribute if any injuries occur at cornerback.Winner: CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr.
Forbes revived his career with the Rams last year and continues to improve this offseason. He had a great pass breakup on Davante Adams in practice Thursday, one of many impressive plays throughout camp. McVay has been pleased with his play, and there’s no doubt he’ll be the first cornerback off the bench behind Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.Winner: LB Shaun Dolac
Dolac has gotten some first-team reps on defense, a positive sign for the 2025 undrafted free agent out of Buffalo. He’s already a core special teams player but if he can carve out a role on defense, it’ll only help his chances of making the 53-man roster. In the final padded practice of camp, he had a pick-six against Bennett, intercepting a throw over the middle and strolling to the end zone for a touchdown.Winner: OLB Wesley Bailey
Could Bailey be a hidden gem at outside linebacker? Surprisingly, he’s gotten reps with the starting defense opposite Myles Garrett, which doesn’t mean he’s going to make the team or play meaningful snaps this season, but it is a positive development for the undrafted rookie. He’s a big, athletic edge rusher with good potential, and if he doesn’t make the 53-man roster, he should stick on the practice squad, at least.Winner: WR CJ Daniels
Daniels turned some heads early in camp with the catches he made, drawing high praise from coaches and players such as Davante Adams. Like Konata Mumpfield last year, Daniels has been taken under the wing of Adams, seeking the advice of the future Hall of Famer. He strengthened his grip on a roster spot this summer with his play in practice and he’s certainly someone to watch this preseason.Loser: OL Justin Dedich
Dedich didn’t take a single snap in camp after suffering a non-football injury at home around the Fourth of July. He still remains on the NFI list, waiting to get fully healthy before taking the field. He’s still likely to make the team, but it’s unfortunate that an accident at home cost Dedich his entire camp.Loser: RB Jarquez Hunter
Very little was made about Hunter’s play in practice, outside of a couple tough runs. Kyren Williams and Blake Corum are still clearly the top two backs, leaving Hunter and Ronnie Rivers competing for the third spot on the depth chart. After playing zero offensive snaps last season, it remains to be seen if Hunter will make the team in Year 2.znModeratorNate Atkins@NateAtkins_
The most dominant Rams players at Loyola Marymount were zero surprise:Matthew Stafford
Puka Nacua
Trent McDuffie
Quentin LakeBut here are some less heralded names who have impressed, too:
CJ Daniels
Cam Lampkin
Emmanuel Forbes Jr.
Josaiah Stewart
Grant StuardznModeratorznModeratorAnyway, I’ve now seen a big ol’ shark up close, and I don’t need to see another one.
A real Rams fan would have chased it and taunted it with a stick.
That’s what the rest of us have all done in the same situation.
znModeratorImperative to the defensive line’s success, especially, is the communication between Garrett and all of his new teammates. Although Garrett didn’t practice during the second training camp block over this past weekend and returned to practice on Wednesday and Thursday, Fiske feels increasingly confident about that line of communication and how he’s gelling with the rest of the first-team defensive line.
“Not all men are created equal, that’s for sure,” Fiske said. “He’s a baller, no doubt. He’s getting a slide, there’s no doubt about that. Trying to work off him or vice versa, communicating. The biggest thing right now is working on our communication of how to rush together, how we’re going to attack certain looks. As all four, the certain looks that we’re going to get when he’s on the field, preparing for that and doing our best to work off each other. It’s been good so far though. I think we’re making strides.”
On the back end, Fiske can also already feel some relieved pressure from McDuffie, Watson and the rest of the secondary with how their group is coming together.
“It has been awesome,” Fiske said. “Having that mindset up front of knowing who you have on the back end that’s covering you. As we continue to marry our rush and coverage as we go forward and continue to build on that, I think we’ve made great strides through this camp.”
…
When asked about if he feels like there’s a time in the season when he can tell if a defense is special, his response reiterates movement in the right direction.
“There are little tells in camp of the energy, the vibe guys bring and the camaraderie that’s built through these days of camp when you spend all day every day with each other around the dorms, around the facilities, when we’re in this confined space,” Fiske said when asked if there’s a point in the season when he can tell if a defense is special and when that tends to click. “It is a special group. I can say that now for sure that we’re headed in the right direction. And like I said earlier, there’s still a lot of work and there’s still a lot that we’ve got to do to continue to grow.”
znModerator10 biggest takeaways from Rams training camp
Cameron DaSilva
Training camp came and went in the blink of an eye for the Los Angeles Rams, leaving Loyola Marymount University as quickly as they arrived less than two weeks ago. They had their final open practice of camp on Thursday, giving fans one last look at the team before preseason games begin next week.
It was a productive 10 days of practice at LMU, some more intense and physical than others. Sean McVay doesn’t push his players in camp the way many other coaches do, taking the necessary steps to keep them fresh and healthy ahead of Week 1.
As expected, there was a mix of good and bad in practice. McVay was not pleased with the way the offense performed on Wednesday, but complimented them for rebounding in the final practice Thursday. That’s almost to be expected when Stafford sits out one day and returns the next.
Now that training camp is just about wrapped up, it’s time to look back on what we learned about the Rams.
New cornerbacks change complexion of defense
It wasn’t a mystery that the Rams needed cornerback help this offseason. That position group became the biggest weakness of last year’s defense, which is why Les Snead and Sean McVay aggressively attacked it by adding Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. And boy, are those moves paying off.
They’ve been great in coverage, challenging Puka Nacua and Davante Adams on every rep. Adams spoke highly of McDuffie in camp, saying he doesn’t know the last time he felt as strongly about a cornerback as he does about McDuffie.
“I can honestly say I don’t know if I’ll get a better look than what I get from Trent out there,” Adams said. “I don’t like putting big expectations, bulletin board material or any of that but at the end of the day, I can’t remember the last time I felt about another corner the way I feel about him. I say that because certain guys make plays because they fall into them. They have a certain feel for the ball, but Trent’s out there doing something every single play.”
While Myles Garrett might be the best player the Rams added this offseason, McDuffie might be the most impactful because of how big of an upgrade he is over what Los Angeles had before.
Still no clear-cut WR3
Training camp was supposed to separate those competing for the No. 3 wide receiver spot, but it doesn’t appear one player has emerged as the favorite to work alongside Nacua and Adams. Matthew Stafford mentioned that Jordan Whittington and Konata Mumpfield have gotten the bulk of the reps with him, along with a little bit of Xavier Smith, so they remain the top candidates at that position.
CJ Daniels has made some noise, too, though it appeared he was mostly working with the second-team offense in camp.
As of now, Whittington and Mumpfield are leading the race, bringing different skill sets to that group. Whittington is great after the catch, whereas Mumpfield is a more precise route runner.
Stetson Bennett remains in lead for QB2
Bennett and Ty Simpson have each had their share of ups and downs in practice. However, as was the case entering camp, Bennett is still in the lead for the backup quarterback spot. He had some really strong practices and made impressive throws down the field, getting first-team reps when Stafford got the day off. Simpson, meanwhile, has been working with the backups and had limited reps when Stafford and Bennett both practiced.
The preseason will go a long way toward settling this competition, but it might be getting late early for Simpson in his pursuit of being the No. 2 quarterback to start the year. Bennett just has too big a head start from his last three years in this offense.
Running back room keeps getting better
The Rams’ running back tandem of Kyren Williams and Blake Corum was arguably the best in the NFL. Williams was the lead back and Corum was a terrific complement, but it’s not crazy to think they could be even better in 2026.
According to reports out of camp, Williams has looked faster and more explosive this summer, which were the two main critiques of his game. Corum, meanwhile, has drawn positive reviews about his speed and burst, too. Corum put in a lot of work this offseason to improve his quickness and agility, which has shown in practice.
There’s a lot of focus on the Rams’ passing game but their rushing attack could be what makes the difference.
Puka Nacua is locked in
Anything thrown Nacua’s way has been caught by the star receiver. He’s been outstanding in practice, entering camp in excellent shape and with a renewed focus after being in the wrong kind of spotlight this offseason. With a civil lawsuit hanging over him, Nacua has taken the necessary steps to improve off the field, talking to a therapist and checking into an outpatient rehab center.
On top of that, he’s playing for a long-term contract and has made it evident that he deserves a lucrative deal – at least based on his performance on the field. As great as he’s been the last three years, he only seems to be getting better. That’s a scary thought for opposing defenders.
Young guys making case for 53-man roster
Everyone knows about the Rams’ stars, but what about the bubble players who are fighting for jobs? Cornerback Cam Lampkin is one guy competing for a roster spot, and he stood out for all the right reasons in camp. He made plays on the ball in coverage, using his length to knock away passes and prevent completions.
CJ Daniels is another young guy who impressed, doing everything he can to earn snaps at wide receiver. He’s drawn high praise from reporters and coaches for his reliable hands and playmaking ability.
At edge rusher, undrafted rookie Wesley Bailey has gotten first-team reps, which is notable considering he wasn’t drafted. It’ll be tough for him to make the team but you never know.
There won’t be a true No. 1 tight end
Offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase flat-out said the Rams don’t expect one of their tight ends to emerge as the go-to guy who plays every snap. In other words, there won’t be a true No. 1 tight end this season. Colby Parkinson, Terrance Ferguson and Tyler Higbee figure to be the primary contributors, with Davis Allen and Max Klare also mixing in.
The Rams love rotating their tight ends, especially given how much 13 personnel they use, so everyone will get a chance to play. But for fantasy purposes, it’s hard to see anyone emerging as a viable option week in and week out.
Aaron Donald decision coming soon
Donald has been weighing a potential return since Myles Garrett was acquired by the Rams in June, but no one really expected him to take part in camp. He still hasn’t announced his decision about coming back this season but that call could be made very soon.
Sean McVay said it would come after training camp ends and Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk reported Thursday that a decision could come down in the next few days. Signs point to Donald playing this season but until he says “I’m back,” nothing has been decided.
Matthew Stafford showing no signs of slowing down
It’s easy to forget that Stafford took exactly zero snaps in training camp last year before going on to win MVP. He hasn’t participated in every practice because the Rams are managing his workload, but he’s looked sharp whenever he’s been on the field.
With essentially the same offense around him as last year, Stafford has a real chance to win MVP again. He’s shown no signs of decline at the age of 38, which is great news for the Rams. The drop-off from him to both Bennett and Simpson is noticeable, so it’s essential that he stays healthy and fresh for all 17 games.
That’s why the Rams are being careful and calculated when it comes to his workload.
Camp schedule keeps players fresh
Speaking of Stafford’s workload, the Rams’ practice schedule is something that players greatly appreciate. Nacua talked about how having jog-throughs in camp and a day off after four straight days of practice helps keep him fresh, as did McDuffie. And the results are showing.
Davis Allen is the only notable player who suffered a semi-serious injury in camp, a soft-tissue injury to his quad that will cause him to miss “some time.” Other than that, everyone has been fairly healthy so far. It’s not a coincidence, either. The Rams don’t like to put too much strain on players this far in advance of the season.
znModeratorSeven thoughts from Rams camp
Nate Atkins
LOS ANGELES — An 11th and final practice came and went for the Los Angeles Rams at Loyola Marymount University on Thursday.
The Rams will now return to their Woodland Hills facility, where all eyes will be on the potential of a player who isn’t currently on the roster.
Here are seven thoughts from the final practice of the traditional camp setting.
1. The defense rising to a level above the offense these past three practices has been mostly encouraging. The Rams were built in an entirely opposite fashion a year ago with the most expensive offense and least expensive defense in the NFL. That foreshadowed how their season would end, with MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford and a dominant offense unable to carry an unbalanced and compromised defense in an NFC Championship Game loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Adding reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the edge is an obvious difference, but the pass rush was still the strength of last year’s unit with Jared Verse in that spot. It has a dominant closer now.
The biggest difference has been the secondary, and it’s clear to see each and every practice. Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson have been a breath of fresh air in two noticeable ways: their integrity and physicality against perimeter runs and their ability to match up and make plays on the ball against wide receivers as good as Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
Watson has often drawn the Adams assignment. The two have traded wins, with Adams’ connection with Stafford simply too strong at times for Watson to make a play on an outbreaking route or an anticipation throw into zone, and other moments where Watson’s physicality has thrown Adams off of his routes to lead to pass breakups and occasional drops.
The trickle-down effect is noticeable: Quentin Lake and Kam Curl have combined for at least one play in contested coverage a practice, and both scored defensive touchdowns on Monday.
The Rams rarely pay two safeties. They paid those two a combined $49 million guaranteed because they know they have more playmaking and versatility to unpack when the weaknesses at outside cornerback have now become strengths.
2. The biggest single boost to this roster is McDuffie.
He’s not the best addition. That’s Garrett, who just set the NFL’s all-time single-season sacks record with 23 last year. But again, he’s upgrading on a Pro Bowler in Verse.
It’s really something to watch an outside cornerback on this team with these kinds of pre-snap reads, versatile alignments and coverage instincts. McDuffie showcased the instincts on Monday, when Stafford uncorked a deep out throw to Nacua, who had a step on McDuffie, only for McDuffie to recover and swat the ball away for an incompletion.
“When that ball is in the air, you can see the body tense up and how they react when the ball is in the air, the look and lean,” Nacua said. “It’s something that he stays patient (with), and in that deep ball rep that we had the other day of him running and saying, ‘You’ve got to take it all the way to the ground.’ I think it’s something that’s been fun and working different movements at the line of scrimmage because he is so patient and trusts his feet.”
Add in McDuffie’s communication, leadership and Super Bowl pedigree, and he creates a total package that appears worth a first-round pick and a record-breaking contract extension, given the sheer upgrade it all provides to a premium position that became this unit’s Achilles’ heel a year ago.
“It’s his stickiness,” free safety Kam Kinchens said. “It’s not too many plays that go by where he’s not on that person’s hip, without having to draw PI (pass interference). Even the play with Puka down the field, he’s never out of a play.”
3. The Aaron Donald wait continues. It gained a little juice on Tuesday, when the Rams hosted the currently retired three-time Defensive Player of the Year for a workout on the players’ off day. Donald went through individual drills and a workout with defensive line coach Giff Smith, trainer Reggie Scott and strength coach
It’s all part of Donald’s personal evaluation process on whether to make this comeback, but coach Sean McVay continued to reiterate that the arrow is pointing upward when it comes to a potential reunion with the 35-year-old.
“He’s got such an intentional routine and rhythm,” McVay said. “He’s taking great care of himself, as we all know. Getting ready to play football and just working out the way that he has, there’s a little bit of a different rhythm and routine.”
4. The Rams built in a practice schedule to allow for loads of backup quarterback reps with Stafford missing two out of every four practices to manage his degenerative back issue. But they have given the wide majority of those extra reps to Stetson Bennett over rookie Ty Simpson.
Thursday was another up-and-down session for Bennett. He threw a pick six to Shaun Dolac when he didn’t see the linebacker hovering in zone and breaking downhill. Bennett has been tripped up for at least one turnover-worthy throw like that per practice. He’s been a risk-taker, which is more tolerable in a practice than a game.
Bennett had a nice play Thursday where he rolled out under pressure to the right sideline and lofted a ball perfectly in stride to sixth-round rookie receiver CJ Daniels for a first down. Those two plays have been a summary of Bennett’s camp so far.
If the focus with Simpson is on sitting and learning this year, time will tell whether the Rams have enough of a backup given Stafford’s age and health risks in a Super Bowl-focused season.
5. After a clean first nine practices, sloppiness did hit the Rams’ offense these past two sessions. Wednesday’s practice was the dud, and McVay acknowledged that it wasn’t what he was hoping to see, as turnovers and pre-snap penalties doomed the first and second units.
It was somewhat understandable given Stafford’s and Adams’ absences, but Thursday only provided a small step forward.
6. Much of the talk this camp has been about Blake Corum’s offseason workouts and improving physique. But it’s hard not to notice a springier step in Kyren Williams’ game as well.
That was on display on a run near the red zone on Thursday, when Williams took an inside handoff and raced around the right edge until Emmanuel Forbes Jr. finally caught him at the sideline. He did that a couple of times for first downs, showing a trust in his speed over the contact-finishing abilities that don’t apply much in these settings.
After three straight 1,100-plus-yard seasons, a better speed element is the next gear for Williams to chase.
“This year, I honed in on really training to be a running back,” Williams said. “Those pad levels, those cuts, and when I am cutting, sinking my body because if I cut straight up, I’m not going anywhere. My superpowers are when I’m low to the ground. I have both my feet in the ground and I’m planting and I’m explosive. I think this year, I really honed in on what it is being a running back.”
7. Perhaps the best news of this portion of training camp is that the Rams got through it with a great bill of health.
Tight end Davis Allen suffered a quad injury that will keep him out for some time, but it does come at the Rams’ deepest position. Top backup guard Justin Dedich has yet to practice after suffering a hand injury on July 4, which was obviously before camp began. That’s basically it on the health front.
Compared to the Carolina Panthers losing multiple key players to season-ending injuries and the San Francisco 49ers practicing down 20 players on Wednesday, it’s exactly what this camp was asking for.
Some of it is the Rams’ good luck, but it also speaks to how careful McVay and the training staff are. They bake in rest days for veterans like Adams. When Garrett experienced a little lower-body soreness, the Rams gave him four practices off. They have maintenance plans for players with pre-existing injuries and conditions, such as with Stafford’s back, Byron Young’s knee and Alaric Jackson’s blood clots.
“He knows what we go through, and he’s had so many elite players to where he knows what it takes, and he knows when to hold off,” Curl said of McVay. “He knows when to put a pedal to the metal. He takes care of us.
“This camp has been love. How he runs it, it’s love. On our part, we’ve just got to work hard to keep it like that. It’s love. I’ve been in some stuff where it’s totally opposite.”
That’s the advantage for a team whose first-string depth chart, identity and culture are as stable as this.
znModerator10 Observations from the 10th and final day of 2026 Rams Training Camp:
Stu Jackson & Zach Edwards
LOS ANGELES – The final open practice of 2026 Rams Training Camp presented by CommunityAmerica Credit Union at LMU saw running back Blake Corum continue to shine for the offense, while the defense had multiple individual standouts as well as a strong day collectively from the secondary.
Senior staff writer Stu Jackson spent the afternoon watching the offense, while staff writer Zach Edwards watched the defense. Here are 10 things that stood out.
Running back Blake Corum continues to look agile and explosive: That agility and speed work Corum did this offseason continued to translate to the practice field and show up across his carries.
After Friday’s practice, Corum said he worked with childhood trainer Kevin Johnson, whose philosophy was working “the nervous system, training without shoes on, working your fast twitch muscles, and creating the stiff ankle.” Corum said the stiff ankle and the fast twitch have carried over by allowing him to plant, cut and burst quicker than he has before.
Mixing in depth personnel: Similar to Wednesday’s practice, reserves at skill positions appeared to get rotated in more than they had previously.
Bennett finds Daniels: While it was a day where the secondary made more plays, quarterback Stetson Bennett IV still had some impressive throws, including arguably his best of the day rolling out to his right after a play-action fake to connect with wide receiver C.J. Daniels for an intermediate completion.
Other noteworthy Bennett passes: Bennett also had a completion over the middle to wide receiver Jordan Whittington and an intermediate completion to wide receiver Konata Mumpfield that stood out.
Touchdown Kyren: Running back Kyren Williams remains a dependable target for quarterback Matthew Stafford, as the two connected on a short touchdown pass over the middle.
Inside linebacker Shaun Dolac records interception and big hit over the middle: With a relatively quiet camp, Dolac had a loud final practice. The first was boom from the crowd came when he recorded an interception over the middle against the second-team offense. The second was a crashing of pads that knocked the ball out of running back Jarquez Hunter’s hands on a pass, which Hunter still ended up catching while lying on the ground.
Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. a pair of breakups: The first launch of the day from quarterback Matthew Stafford flew in the direction of wide receiver Davante Adams down the left sideline. Following right behind in one-on-one coverage was Forbes who jumped up to make the play and force the incompletion.
Secondary prevents any deep completions: Outside of the standout reps from Forbes, the Rams’ first-team secondary had multiple forced incompletions on deep balls from Stafford. One was by safety Quentin Lake on a pass down the left sideline, and another by cornerback Trent McDuffie along the right sideline.
Cornerback Cam Lampkin finishes camp strong: Lampkin was a standout on the second-team defense the first two days of camp with a huge pass breakout and interception, as well as some nice plays on Days 6 and 8. Once again, on the final day of training camp, Lampkin forced an incompletion over the middle to bookend what’s been a great camp.
Defensive end Desjuan Johnson has some solid first-team reps: Stafford was flushed out to his right as Johnson was in pursuit behind him, likely catching Stafford in the pocket seconds beforehand. The defensive line mixed in multiple players both on the interior and outside of the line on Thursday, and Johnson made the most of his reps.
znModeratorGreg Cosell: 2026 NFC West Season PREVIEW
Ross is joined by Greg Cosell to break down how all of the teams across the NFC South look going into the 2026 season including:
Intro 00:00
Bijan Robinson & Zay Flowers’ new contracts: 04:20
Stefon Diggs lands in Washington: 08:50
Arizona Cardinals: 10:05
Los Angeles Rams: 14:15
San Francisco 49ers: 17:10
Seattle Seahawks: 20:35znModeratorRams Wire@TheRamsWire
Rams don’t plan to have a true No. 1 TE this season…
Due to injury issues with Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson got his shot to take on the majority of the tight end responsibilities last season, parlaying it into a career campaign. Both are back and effective as ever, while young and promising talents like Davis Allen, Terrance Ferguson and Max Klare work to carve out roles of their own.
With so much potential in the group, it’s unclear which players will get the bulk of the opportunities. On Wednesday, we got some clarity on what the rotation will look like, as offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase stated that he doesn’t expect one single player to hoard the snaps. The staff will naturally move each player around to capitalize on the strengths of those individualized skill sets.
“No, I don’t expect anyone in particular to come out on top,” Scheelhaase told reporters. “I think those guys push each other and challenge each other and are so versatile that you’re just excited to see who ends up coming to life based on what the defense wants to do. We can move those guys all around the field. They all can do so much, both in the run game and the pass game, that you’re excited just based on a game plan.
“You don’t know who ends up popping and making a play in the pass game. You don’t know who ends up being at the point of attack in the run game. That makes a huge difference. I just appreciate how those guys work and how they’ve pushed each other to get where they’re at right now.”
znModeratorAug 6, 2026 Green Light Podcast | Full Episodes
NFL Previews are here! Chris kicks off with the NFC West, rolling through the Seahawks, Rams, 49ers and Cardinals’ chances of success in the 2026 NFL season. The Seahawks still have quite the roster following their Super Bowl victory in 2025 but do have some questions, namely Sam Darnold’s capabilities without Kenneth Walker and the defensive potential wioth their attrition. The Rams are the offseason darlings with their trade acquisition of Myles Garrett while the 49ers can’t shake the injury label. The Cardinals are fighting for a QB in 2027. Chris then heads to the AFC West and lauds the Chiefs for their start to training camp and quest to reach the NFL’s summit once again. Can the Broncos reclaim the AFC West title for a second year in a row? Is Mike McDaniel the key to overcoming Justin Herbert’s playoff woes? And what should the Raiders make of Fernando Mendoza?
00:00 NFL Season Previews
1:31 NFC West
3:13 Seattle Seahawks
26:00 Los Angeles Rams
41:18 San Francisco 49ers
54:10 Arizona Cardinals
1:06:45 AFC West
1:07:43 Denver Broncos
1:25:48 Los Angeles Chargers
1:52:07 Kansas City Chiefs
2:15:15 Las Vegas RaidersznModeratorCameron DaSilva@camdasilva
When did Trent McDuffie know the Rams were a special team? As soon as he saw how the team reacted to losing Jared Verse in the Myles Garrett trade.***
…it’s not lost on players in Los Angeles just how important and valuable Verse was to the team. That showed in the meeting room after Sean McVay shared the news of Verse being traded for Garrett.
Trent McDuffie opened up about that meeting on “Bussin’ With The Boys” with Taylor Lewan, calling it one of his favorite moments with the Rams so far. Not because the team landed an all-world player in Garrett, but because of how everyone reacted to losing Verse.
“That’s like one of my favorite moments from even just being on the team was Sean McVay standing up in the room, with Jared Verse in the room, saying what happened, letting Jared Verse get up and say a few words, and every single guy went up to Jared Verse, shook his hand, gave him some words of encouragement,” McDuffie said.
He was surprised at the lack of excitement over adding Garrett, which came at the expense of Verse.
“And then guys weren’t even excited excited, knowing you have Myles Garrett coming,” McDuffie said. “I heard the news, I started smiling. I looked around and I was like, ‘Oh, we’re not like, yeah!’ Everyone was like ‘Whoa, hold on. J-Verse? You’re going to let him go?’ And I was like, that’s special. Like, right there, for me, I was like, there’s something here about just how tight-knit this group is. It really feels like a home. You come in here and guys are excited to see each other. Guys are asking about families. They know everything about everybody. It was the same way with the Chiefs but here it’s just a different level – I feel like other teams, the NFL is a business. You know sometimes things are going to happen. It’s a business. And guys truly take it personal here. And I thought that was so cool.”
znModeratorMy optimistic moments come from the new defense. I cant wait to see it. I mean, its not crazy to think it might be the best Ram defense we’ve seen in the modern-era. Its not crazy to wonder if it could be in the same tier as, say, the 2000 Ravens, or the great Tampa defense.
It may not be ‘likely’ but its not crazy to think it might be.
w
vIch bin in agreement.
The area where it may only be “sorta average maybe a bit above average” is ILB. They have the safeties, the corners, and they have enough DL to cast an HBO series.
…
znModerator…the 11-on-11 period showcased a continued battle between the wide receivers on offense and the secondary on defense.
Offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase and defensive coordinator Chris Shula both talked about that back-and-forth battle between the two position groups….
“It seems like mutual respect to me. Especially (wide receiver Davante Adams) and Puka, when (cornerback Trent McDuffie) is covering those guys, you see Trent’s right on them, they make a great catch, you almost see them fist bump after. Sometimes Trent gets a PBU, you can just tell the respect they have for each other, and they’re pushing each other to be better every single day.” – Shula
…Scheelhaase, among others, is the latest to mention just how back-and-forth the training camp practices have been. “Davante and Puka have gone back at them, you feel like every catch you’re holding your breath because those guys are on you in sticky coverage. They’re challenging at the line of scrimmage, they’re running with you downfield and they’re physical in the run game. So when you got guys like that who make it challenging for us at receiver, it’s certainly made us a whole lot better.”
znModerator10 Observations from Day 9 of Rams Training Camp
Stu Jackson & Zach Edwards
LOS ANGELES – The second-to-last open practice of Rams Training Camp presented by CommunityAmerica Credit Union at LMU showcased more highlight plays from wide receiver Puka Nacua, as well as the skill players mixing reps between the first and second team. On the other side of the ball, defensive end Myles Garrett return to practice, safety Quentin Lake had the play of the day and a constantly-rotating edge group showcased its depth.
Staff writer Zach Edwards spent the afternoon watching the offense, while senior staff writer Stu Jackson watched the defense. Here are 10 things that stood out.
Puka Nacua snags a pair of one-handed grabs: On the first 11-on-11 drive of the game, Nacua found himself one-on-one on the outside running down the sideline. Quarterback Stetson Bennett IV lofted the ball up along the sideline and Nacua slowed down slightly to leap up and make the one-handed grab inbounds. On a drive later on, Nacua was streaking across the middle on a deep slant and lunged out to make another one-handed grab.
Run-heavy practice leads to second-team running backs recording some impressive reps: There was still a healthy mixture of passing and running downs, but it was still a run-heavy practice compared to most during training camp. For offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, practicing the run game “starts with being connected.” And “as a group, it’s all 11 in the run game,” Scheelhaase said.
Stetson Bennett IV continues with first team and Ty Simpson with second: As has been all training camp, when quarterback Matthew Stafford doesn’t practice, Bennett takes over duties with the first-team offense, and Simpson gets all the reps on the second team.
Offense mixes around skill players between first and second-team: Although the running back mainly remained with the respective groups they’ve been with throughout camp, the wide receivers especially, as well as some tight ends, were mixed between the two offenses. On a day where wide receiver Davante Adams had off, the majority of the wide receiver room had reps on both the first and second team, aside from Nacua who only played with the first-team offense.
Tyler Scott with receptions of first and second-team offense: One player that benefitted from playing with both the first and second team was wide receiver Tyler Scott who, in addition to throwing multiple strong blocks in the run game, hauled in a reception on both the first and second-team offense.
Garrett back on the practice field: As McVay hoped would be the case, Garrett returned to practice Wednesday after missing the Rams’ previous four training camp practices with lower-body soreness. Garrett’s ability to bend corners around offensive tackles continues to stand out, and was displayed on a play where he had a sack if he didn’t have to pull up to adhere to the red no-contact jersey worn by the quarterbacks. Garrett also had another rep where he won so quickly it sped up Bennett’s delivery and forced an incompletion on a short pass intended for Nacua.
Quentin Lake’s spinning interception: The play of the day for the defense came from the veteran safety making an impressive pick in zone coverage, spinning in the air from one spot to snag Bennett’s pass intended for Nacua out of the air.
Edge depth on display: Similar to a coupe of the offensive skill positions, outside linebacker was another group that frequently rotated throughout Wednesday’s practice. Byron Young had a run stop early in practice that got the defense fired up. Josaiah Stewart made his presence felt, especially on one rep where he teamed up with defensive end Braden Fiske to bring pressure that forced an incompletion, and defensive coordinator Chris Shula praised the performances of Desjuan Johnson, Keir Thomas II and Wesley Bailey afterward.
Two-way conversations: When Garrett wasn’t on the field, he was consistently having conversations with younger teammates. However, Garrett made it clear these weren’t one-way conversations of him exclusively giving those teammates advice: It was also about learning them and their tendencies.
“I feel like pouring into your teammates is important because they want to get better,” Garrett said. “They want to learn from me, but I also want to learn from them: What is their style? What are they seeing? How are they rushing, and how can I help improve them? And how can we work with each other? If there’s something that you want to improve, great. If it’s taking something from me, I’m here for it, and I’m happy to share that, but let’s not take away from what got you here. Let’s not diminish anything that accentuates your qualities, and just running that fine line. These these guys are very talented, and we have a room full of guys who can make plays, and I want to be able to put them in position to do so.”
Inside linebacker Omar Speights brings the boom: One of the loudest and most physical plays of practice was when Nacua was met abruptly over the middle by Speights. Both players stayed on their feet, but the timing and physicality from Speights disrupted the pass.
“Omar’s awesome. Steady, man. Consistent. Love that guy,” Shula said. “Since he’s been here, he’s just exactly where he’s supposed to be, he’s a physical player, he can diagnose in the run game, he has no wasted movement. You know exactly what you’re getting every single day out of Omar Speights, and (I’m) so happy we have him.”
znModerator5 observations from Day 9 of Rams training camp: Off day for offense
Brock Vierra
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The Los Angeles Rams resumed their training camp activities after having a day off on Tuesday and the welcomed return of Myles Garrett had many ready to watch this team in game action.
With Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams having the day off, the team was able to take a closer look at their backup situation. Here are five observations from practice.
Strong on the right
Kevin Dotson and Warren McClendon once again put on a display. Yes, it was practice, but they were putting their hands on defenders, and taking them for a drive. They were exposed here and there, but nothing beyond the scope of NFL football and considering the talent on the line, Dotson and McClendon did more than enough to get the job done, had this been a real game.
McClendon has a natural, stout presence about him, absorbing pressure, without surrendering his placement. Dotson’s ability to advance to the second level and rake out linebackers continues to impress, with one rep earning Dotson some congratulations from offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase.
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Depth of defenseThe talk revolving around Garrett and his impact has been mauled over. However, it the impact of others than I’m excited about. Braden Fiske has grown as an every-down player, who constantly got into the backfield and blew up plays all day long.
Desjuan Johnson looks even better as a run stopper, making plays of his own, while Byron Young looks fast and balenced. The defensive line was phenomenal, with the secondary giving the offense little room to move the ball. Even the linebackers were on their game, with Omar Speights breaking up a pass intended for Puka Nacua.
The team does not have a clear QB2
The offense in general was abysmal, with a multitude of pre-snap penalties. That’s not good considering there isn’t an actual play clock. Both Bennett and Simpson were pedestrian at best, failing to put together a strong sequence of passes, while being off-target all day long. To be fair, it’s one practice, and one man can only do so much.
Bennett likely has the edge due to his pocket composure and overall understanding of the offense. Simpson also doesn’t have the arm to push the ball downfield in the way the Rams need to at this point. This is not a critique of Simpson, but highlighting that he needs time to put all the pieces together. Bennett has had that time. However, I wouldn’t feel confident in either starting week one at this time.
Cam Lampkin is making a final push for the roster
The Rams best job opening on their roster, if that even exists, is the WR3 position. The only truly open battle, except on special teams, is the CB4 role. Lampkin has been a solid riser for a few years now and is inching towards making the 53-man roster. He still has a long way to go, but he’s a natural fit for the secondary, and has some potential that has yet to be unlocked.
Grant Stuard is a wild man
It appears that Stuard has only one speed and that’s full speed. Stuard was flying around the field and while his addition was meant to bolster the special teams, he’s quickly emerging as a competent backup that could provide the depth and relief at the off-ball linebacker position.
He’s one of those “love to have him, hate to play him” players because regardless of jersey color, Stuard wants to eliminate the opposition, even if it’s a practice. While the team can not wait until he starts to inflict punishment on others, the franchise may have finally found their “wild man” who could finally bring some consistent competency to their special teams’ failures of the past.
znModerator1st & Tuna@1standtuna
Overall this was a defensive day for #Rams
-Mistakes by Stetson will give him lots of film to digest and bounce back from
-Dline depth a + for Shula, 2nd/3rd guys really looked explosive
-Energy on defense, guys flying around. Can name about a dozen guys who made a play today
The positives for O:
-Bennett’s day not all bad, great tosses to Puka over the middle, and a great setup to Kyren wide open on a play
-Kyren was looking to be an energy-shifter as needed
-communication amongst starting OL very damn good vs starting DL
-Puka, always a WOW
znModerator"I do not remember a football roster this good. Let's say Aaron Donald plays 14 games – Is it the best compilation of defensive talent ever?"@colincowherd discusses the Rams potential historic roster if Aaron Donald returns pic.twitter.com/zjmzO6h2BY
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) August 5, 2026
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