Here are 10 things we learned from the Rams’ two weeks of training camp at Loyola Marymount
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.
