THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is present and participating in the voluntary offseason training program despite ongoing questions about his contract.
Earlier in the spring, head coach Sean McVay confirmed an NFL Network report that said Stafford wanted more guaranteed money on his deal and could not say whether Stafford would participate in OTAs.
Advertisement
Tuesday, McVay would not expand further on the nature of the situation, saying he preferred to keep things “in-house,” but league sources have indicated the conversation remains ongoing. McVay could not say whether Stafford is expected to participate in training camp much later this summer. The Rams often have addressed contracts before the start of those sessions.
“What I am appreciative of is he is here leading the way,” McVay said. “It’s been a good couple of days for him.”
The Rams did not make Stafford available for interviews Tuesday, which was the first day access to OTAs was granted.
As a reminder, the practices are not padded (so temper reactions until the football is a little more real, folks) and the Rams prohibit credentialed media from reporting on specifics such as scheme, formations, snap counts or anything they could deem as competitive information.
More notes and observations:
• Starting running back Kyren Williams is dealing with a foot injury, McVay confirmed, and will not participate in OTAs this spring. McVay expects Williams to be ready for training camp. Williams worked with Rams athletic trainers to the side of Tuesday’s practice, while backups Ronnie Rivers, Blake Corum and Zach Evans rotated into the drills and installation periods. The Rams also signed veteran running back Boston Scott to a one-year deal earlier in the spring.
“(Williams) is doing an excellent job physically, feeling really good,” McVay said. “He’ll be ready to roll and be a consistent producer for us this year.”
Williams missed four games with an ankle injury in 2023 but ranked No. 2 in the NFL in rushing despite missing the time.
Kyren Williams is dealing with what Sean McVay called a “foot issue” and won’t participate in OTAs, he will return for training camp.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) May 21, 2024
• The Rams will hold training camp at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles this summer, instead of traveling down to UC Irvine in Orange County, Calif. No official dates have been released yet. The team expects to open its practice facility in Woodland Hills, Calif., as training camp concludes.
Advertisement
• Left guard Jonah Jackson left practice about midway through and went to the athletic training room. This was not a new development — McVay said the Rams have limited Jackson’s workload as he returns to full health. Jackson missed the Detroit Lions’ NFC Championship appearance against the San Francisco 49ers with a knee injury.
“We’re just being smart with him,” McVay said. “He’s done a lot of stuff as it relates to jog-throughs, the mental stuff, making good progress. When he’ll be able to take part in the full 11-on-11 stuff, we expect that to happen at some point this offseason.”
Veteran swing player Joe Noteboom can fill Jackson’s role at left guard during those team periods.
• Inside linebacker Ernest Jones was excused from practice Tuesday for a personal reason, McVay said, that is not related to any contract discussions. Earlier in the spring, general manager Les Snead said Jones would likely play his fourth season out without an early extension — which could always change.
“He has been outstanding,” said McVay, “been a great leader for us like he has.”
In the absence of Jones, Christian Rozeboom led off inside linebacker reps and tipped a Jimmy Garoppolo pass (the Rams’ new backup quarterback, though Stetson Bennett was also present) into the arms of cornerback Cobie Durant.
• The Rams quietly made significant changes to their athletic training, nutrition and sports science departments this offseason. Sebastian Zorn is now the head team performance dietician, Trent Frey is the performance science coordinator and Christopher Aninye and Joe Distor will assist head strength coach Justin Lovett (previous assistant John Griffin joined Raheem Morris in Atlanta).
Zorn was most recently the director of sports nutrition at Stanford. Frey joins the Rams from the Los Angeles Kings, where he was the head strength and conditioning coach. Aninye was previously a strength coach at Purdue (where Lovett was prior to 2020) and Distor held a similar role with the Houston Texans.
Advertisement
• Last week, McVay named defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant the new assistant head coach, following the departure of Jimmy Lake to Atlanta with Morris. Team sources said the celebration from players when McVay made the announcement was raucous.
“It’s truly earned,” said McVay, “he has been here six out of the eight (of my) years. When he came back (from Detroit), his presence was immediately felt. When I think about what that assistant head coach represents, it’s a leader, it’s a teacher, it’s a mentor, it’s a connector.”
• With veteran tight end Tyler Higbee recovering from knee surgery, tight end Davis Allen appeared to pick up right where he left off with Stafford.
Colby Parkinson also worked with Stafford at times in a clear variety of roles, but wore a red non-contact jersey. Practice squad tight end Nikola Kalinic worked at long snapper at the end of Tuesday’s workout. The Rams usually carry an emergency snapper, but were without one in 2023 when Alex Ward suffered a neck injury. Ward is back, but it’s clear the team is taking precautions.
• It’s a small, small sample size without pads on. But my eye is on sixth-round rookie receiver Jordan Whittington, particularly his play energy away from the ball despite contact being limited.
(Photo of Matthew Stafford: Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Getty Images)
