Eight thoughts from Rams training camp

Nate Atkins

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7474214/2026/07/28/rams-matthew-stafford-training-camp/?unlocked_article_code=1.1FA.1zkQ.o6OkXd5K4Z0q&source=emp_shared_article&smid=ta-ios-share

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams are two training camp practices into a journey they hope can carry them all the way to a final game at SoFi Stadium in February.

The work starts on the grass fields at Loyola Marymount University. Here are eight thoughts on what we’ve seen through the first two sessions:

1. This was Matthew Stafford’s first time throwing passes in training camp in two years. A year after missing camp to manage a degenerative back issue that threatened the start of the season, it feels like he and the passing game are in a different place. The back issue hasn’t gone anywhere, and he’ll still miss every other practice to manage it. But there’s no longer the threat, the wonder or the fear.

That was on display Monday, when Stafford threw at will to Davante Adams on crossers and deep dig routes that showcased great timing and spatial awareness, and when he let it rip downfield to Puka Nacua. It took them just a couple snaps to create the highlight of the practice, with Nacua going deep down the left sideline on a fade route and Stafford lofting it for a smooth catch-and-run touchdown that got the crowd roaring.

Nacua came back shortly after that on a slant route across the middle. Stafford had to adjust the ball to fit it into a tight window, and Nacua reached up one hand to reel it in without breaking stride before taking it to the house.

Adams isn’t new anymore, Stafford can play and Nacua is simply Nacua. It’s arguably the highest-ceiling foundation of any unit in the NFL, and the reason the Rams were willing to get as aggressive as they’ve been on defense to maximize this group.

2. If Nacua has been the flashiest through two practices, the most under-the-radar has been the Rams’ newest receiver.

CJ Daniels turned in a terrific practice on Monday, working primarily with Stetson Bennett and the second-team offense. The sixth-round rookie out of Miami was Bennett’s go-to option and while it’s early, he’s starting to show glimpses of why the Rams traded up for him. He’s strong, tough, competitive and confident as both a run blocker and a receiver in traffic. The confidence with which he attacks the ball at the catch point is something Sean McVay has long looked for in a receiver.

But Daniels is not a burner, making how he’ll look in more difficult matchups an open question. But he’ll be insulated, with Nacua and Adams drawing top outside cornerbacks, and Daniels could find matchups where his 6-foot-2 size is enough of an advantage to mitigate the lack of speed.

Looking across the Rams’ skill positions, they don’t have a true burner with Tutu Atwell gone. In fact, the only player who could truly run away from defenders is running back Blake Corum. And yet that’s still the model the Rams carried to the No. 1 scoring offense last season.

3. The offense does have one new and important element and that’s coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase, who got a promotion from passing game coordinator when Mike LaFleur left to become the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. It could be a short stint for Scheelhaase as one of the hot head-coaching candidates entering next year’s cycle.

Scheelhaase is walking into a great infrastructure, complete with McVay’s system and oversight, balance in the offense, and versatility in the personnel. He has an MVP quarterback and two star receivers.

But perhaps what helps a 35-year-old first-time coordinator most is essentially having two coaches on the field in Stafford and Adams. The Stafford piece goes without explanation, but Adams may be equally as important because, unlike Stafford, he’s not on a pitch count or maintenance schedule. He’s the consistent rock right now.

“He’s a guy that, second to none, cares about his craft and what it looks like to be the best receiver he possibly can be,” Scheelhaase said of Adams. “And you just see over the course of years why he’s been successful. Him coming out here on the first day of a training camp in 10-plus seasons in the league, he’s got the same mentality. He’s trying to figure out small ways to get better, things he can do with his releases, things he can do at the top of his breaks. That’s the type of guy you love being around as a coach.”

4. That helps explain why the Rams did not pull the trigger on trading Adams for A.J. Brown this offseason. The idea was tantalizing, as Brown is the better player at this stage of their respective careers and could offer a cost-controlled No. 1 receiver in the event that the Rams don’t extend Nacua. But as they constantly preach, names on paper don’t win football games. It would have been messing with something that is far from broken — and the biggest effect might be in the steady, even-keeled way Adams has taken to a veteran No. 2 role.

His story will be a fascinating one to document, as Adams can feel the end closing in, but it’s the most unresolved of anyone’s. Adams is 0-5 in conference championship games. While every player hungers to hoist a Lombardi Trophy, Adams has a little more on the line with his attempt to win one. If he does and is a major piece, that could be his final argument for the Hall of Fame.

“I’ve given it some thought,” Adams said on retirement. “It wasn’t until the past couple of years where, for different reasons, that you start to think about when the end is going to come. Right now, I’m just enjoying it. I can’t tell you if it’s going to be after this year or after next year. I truly don’t know.”

5. Nacua did have one fade route he couldn’t win because Trent McDuffie was in good position. The two-time All-Pro cornerback matched him stride-for-stride and beat him to a Stafford deep pass to knock it away.

McDuffie will be at his best moving across a secondary trying to live in dime personnel as often as possible. He’s most effective in the slot due to his mix of toughness, tackling, communication and instincts. But reps like that against the NFL’s reigning leader in receptions showcase why he’s such a critical addition. The Rams didn’t have anyone who could reliably do it from an outside cornerback spot last season, freezing their creativity in the playoffs.

6. The most impressive play in Sunday’s practice Kam Kinchens’ diving interception along the sideline off a tipped pass from Cam Lampkin. The ability to see the ball off the ricochet, track it into his arms while falling and stay inbounds shows why Kinchens is one of the Rams’ three biggest breakout candidates.

Last season, Kinchens was left trying to play eraser at free safety behind the mistakes in run defense and coverage of the outside cornerbacks. That cut into his playing time, with the Rams leaning more on veterans like Quentin Lake and Kam Curl, which also spoiled a bit of that duo’s versatility and playmaking. Kinchens can be impactful in making plays on the ball, as his four interceptions, forced fumble, fumble recovery and defensive touchdown as a rookie in 2024 proved.

7. Stafford’s maintenance schedule is going to serve two purposes: keeping him fresh and ready for Week 1 in Melbourne against the San Francisco 49ers, and opening up reps for one of the Rams’ only position battles in camp — backup quarterback.

With Jimmy Garoppolo gone, that’s fallen on Bennett and No. 13 overall pick Ty Simpson. Bennett, who is getting the first crack, has the lead with the playbook and scheme after spending the past three seasons here. He’s demonstrated a good command of the offense, but between offseason practices and the two training camp sessions, he’s also fallen victim to a couple of greedy mistakes.

Simpson also showed solid command in his limited reps. He isn’t going downfield much, but the Rams are working on small steps with him, and he’s displaying some solid accuracy and decision-making.

There is risk with Stafford’s back, and the expectations are so high and the schedule so challenging that the Rams can’t afford to take games off if their MVP does miss time.

Should Simpson be unable to rise to that level, it isn’t an indictment on him long term. He was a developmental pick. But it could set up a situation where Garoppolo is seen as an emergency option. The Rams viewed him as a starting-caliber quarterback these past two years, and though he doesn’t appear interested in going through a full training camp and backup routine, he did tell NFL Network he’s open to playing again in the right situation.

8. It was interesting to ask Byron Young about his offseason and hear most about managing his knee injury. It’s the same knee he hurt in the playoffs last season, which led him to wear an ice pack and sit out most of the later practices, and he just didn’t look like his normal speedy self in the NFC Championship Game. That, along with a lack of finishing from the rest of the pass rush, exposed the leak in the secondary and set up what this offseason was ultimately about for the Rams — finding weapons like McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, and a true pass-rush closer in two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.

Young is healthy again, and he could be primed for a big season in a contract year. The ends opposite Garrett in Cleveland got to feast on one-on-one opportunities, which is what Jared Verse set Young up with last year for his 12-sack breakout. But if Aaron Donald returns — still an if, but a real one — Young could force opponents to plan for a third pass rusher.

That’s where the versatility of Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske, plus a step from Josaiah Stewart, would help. Young played 76 percent of the snaps for a second straight season last year, but dialing that back just a bit could pay dividends for the Rams’ Super Bowl push — and for his market value as a free agent at such a coveted position.

10 Observations from Day 1 of 2026 Rams Training Camp

by Stu Jackson & Zach Edwards

LOS ANGELES – The first practice of Rams Training Camp presented by CommunityAmerica Credit Union took place Sunday, highlighted by an extended look at fourth-year quarterback Stetson Bennett IV on a scheduled Matthew Stafford day off, Myles Garrett participating in team drills with his new team for the first time, and a playmaking secondary.

Here are 10 things that stood out to Rams senior staff writer Stu Jackson and staff writer Zach Edwards.

Getting right to 11-on-11: The Rams appeared intentional about getting into full team drills early in camp, doing 11-on-11 on Day 1 with lots of competitive situations in those segments between the first-team offense and first-team defense, and second-team offense and second-team defense.

Garrett debuts in team drills: Los Angeles’ new edge rusher was getting acclimated and only did individual drills when he arrived the first week of June, in what ended up being the final week of the Rams’ offseason program, so Sunday’s practice marked Garrett’s first time participating in team drills with his new team. Unsurprisingly, Garrett looked as fast and explosive as advertised. “We’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time,” defensive coordinator Chris Shula said, “and it definitely lived up to it.”

Bennett leads first team offense: As noted above, today was a scheduled day off for QB1 with it being Day 1 of the Rams’ first four-day practice block (McVay on Saturday said Stafford would be off Days 1 and 3). So Sunday was a big opportunity for Bennett stepping up to lead the first-team offense, with Simpson sliding into the backup role as the leader of the second team offense. “I appreciate his competitiveness in all moments,” offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase said of Bennett. “And going back to last year, obviously you get to experience him in training camp, you get to experience him in preseason, and just seeing the way that he went to work, the way that guys would rally around him, he competes. And I think anybody enjoys playing with a quarterback who competes, who’s going to throw it all in there, and that’s the mentality he has. And so that’s only grown, you know, since being here, but that’s something that’s been his calling card since the jump.”

Cornerback Jaylen Watson and safety Kam Kinchens team up for play of the day: One of the highlights of practice was Watson deflecting a Bennett deep pass intended for wide receiver Davante Adams, which Kinchens corralled for a diving interception.

Cornerback Cam Lampkin contributes to playmaking secondary: Lampkin made an impressive pass breakup during team drills with a one-armed/one-handed deflection of a Simpson pass intended for tight end Terrance Ferguson.

Tight end Tyler Higbee snags receiving touchdown: During redzone work, Bennett, running with the first-team offense, found Higbee on a crossing route in the endzone for the first touchdown of the afternoon. Higbee is entering Year 11 in the NFL and with the Rams.

Tight end unit making an impact across the board: After using the highest percentage of 13 personnel last season in the NFL, the Rams brought back the entire active roster of Higbee, Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen and Terrance Ferguson. Adding rookie Max Klare in the 2026 NFL Draft could have seemed like overkill at the time, but at Day 1 of camp, the tight end room is already proving that iron sharpens iron and will play out to be a strong competition for the unit.

Running back Blake Corum looks explosive: Although Corum may not have had any highlight reel plays on Day 1 of training camp, he certainly looked explosive coming out of the backfield. Corum, known for his jump cuts and speed at the line of scrimmage, showcased his skillset early on for everyone to see.

Quarterback Ty Simpson constantly asking for feedback from coaching staff: Although Simpson didn’t run with the first-team offense during the 11-on-11 drills, after every time he got taken out, he would walk over to associate coordinator/quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone for feedback. The eagerness and willingness to learn and receive feedback and criticism is good to see out of the rookie.

Second-team defense finished practice strong: With time winding down on the 11-on-11 period, the second team-offense was placed in the redzone against the second-team defense and had multiple plays from within the 10-yard line. Despite a completion and multiple runs, the second-team defense successfully kept the second-team offense out of the endzone as the clock ran out.

A look at rushing effectiveness behind guard/tackle combos. This was found by calculating average rush EPA when the run went toward the direction of each guard/tackle combo.

The Colts, Rams, and Bears dominate the top of the list.

Player participation data via @FTNFantasy pic.twitter.com/QPx7stnJmj

— Nutshell Sports (@NutshellSportz) July 25, 2026

…

from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2026/07/27/rams-guard-tackle-combos-power-elite-ground-game/91067958007/?taid=6a67bd82ef0236000168a843&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

According to data from FTN Fantasy via Nutshell Sports, guard-tackle combinations from the Colts, Rams, and Bears dominated the top of the league in rushing effectiveness. In fact, Los Angeles claimed a full quarter of the NFL’s top eight pairings when measuring average rush Expected Points Added (EPA) per play toward a specific tandem’s side of the line.

from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2026/07/27/rams-training-camp-ty-simpson-practice-review/91061522007/

Simpson took the field for his first practice of training camp on Sunday, and while it will take some time for the rookie to get fully acclimated to the speed of an NFL practice, he’s a smart quarterback who’s played in a pro-style offense before.

So how did he do on his first day of camp? Offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase said after practice that he’s “encouraged.”

“I’m encouraged,” Scheelhaase said of Simpson. “You know what, I appreciate the way that he works as much as anything. And I think anytime you’ve got that mindset, you’re going to continue to grow each time that you’re out there. You’re going to grow from the good reps. You’re going to grow from the bad reps. And so when you got that mindset, that workman’s mentality, you’re going to just see growth happen day in and day out. And so, I like where he’s at, like the opportunity that he’s going to get to just continue to grow in this camp.”

Rams training camp is underway at Loyola Marymount pic.twitter.com/vcu6Cu0C5F

— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) July 26, 2026

from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2026/07/26/rams-training-camp-injury-lists-dedich-hamilton/91056529007/?taid=6a665cefd8ae2a0001d5c640&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

Before the team could take to the field, the Rams announced two roster moves. They placed guard Justin Dedich the non-football injury list, while cornerback Al’zillion Hamilton was added to the physically unable to perform list.

Both players can be activated of their respective injury lists at any time.

In two seasons for the Rams, Dedich has played in 29 regular-season games, starting in nine of those contests. He’s also played in three playoff games, starting one of them. Dedich played a major role for the Rams last season, operating as their backup interior offensive lineman and was a rotational player on special teams. With both Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson missing multiple games last season, Dedich stepped up and held the line, allowing the team to push forward with their league-leading production.

Hamilton is a rookie cornerback who was signed as an undrafted free agent. Hamilton played for Fresno State during his collegiate career, featuring in 54 contests. Hamilton recorded a career-high four interceptions last season.

Andrew Brandt@AndrewBrandt
Packers financials – the only snapshot we see of NFL finance – show a $453 million distribution to every team from the NFL. $453 million. Before adding one cent of local or stadium revenue.For perspective, the player Salary Cap is $300 million. What a business these owners have.

Adam Schefter@AdamSchefter
San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan suffered significant injuries in a car accident during his summer break in mid July that now will leave him limited as the team opens training camp.

Shanahan broke his nose, three ribs, his hand, needed over 40 stiches in his face and suffered a severe concussion during a July 14 car accident when he collided with an SUV near his northern California home, per me and
@nwagoner
…
49ers assistant head coach and offensive line coach Chris Foerster is expected to assume some of Kyle Shanahan’s head coaching duties and help lead the team.

Shanahan informed his assistant coaches of his accident on Tuesday; other players slowly have been getting the news that the 49ers confirmed today.
…
Kyle Shanahan was taken by paramedics to the local hospital, where he spent much of that day before being released. The other driver was not injured, per Palo Alto lieutenant Nicholas Martinez. Martinez said drugs and alcohol were not involved and both drivers were cooperative with the police. No one was cited for the collision.

.

wv wrote:

Frontiere was awarded an honorary doctor of philanthropy from Pepperdine University”

So you’re saying Pepperdine University hanged Rosenbloom in the ocean because they didn’t like his movies?

And this paved the way for Jay Zygmunt to prove Dick Vermeil was a bad coach by hiring him to coach the Rams.

J.B. Long, D’Marco Farr, and Maurice Jones-Drew reunite to discuss what defensive end Myles Garrett will bring to the Los Angeles Rams’ defense, depth chart decisions, and who to watch at Training Camp.

0:00 Intro
2:10 Rams Revealed Live
3:40 Myles Garrett trade
16:00 Season expectations
16:42 Matthew Stafford
19:24 Quarterback depth chart
28:05 Rookie spotlight
33:28 Wide Receiver depth chart
41:32 Potential extensions

Zooey wrote:

I don’t like the Classic Sol, either, but it does have the saving grace that it is in honor of the 75th anniversary of the 1951 championship team, and I think we are only going to see it twice (though that could change): Week Two (MNF) against the Giants, and Week 13 against the Chiefs.

Stu Jackson@StuJRams
Rams wearing their Classic Sol (yellow) throwbacks Week 2 vs. Giants and Week 13 vs. Chiefs

Fearsome White will be worn Week 12 vs. Packers