Tag: McVay

Jan 4, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Reports: Kliff Kingsbury to join Rams’ coaching staff

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Los Angeles Rams are adding former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator and Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury to join coach Sean McVay’s staff next season, multiple outlets reported Friday. Kingsbury’s role is currently undetermined.

After Rams former offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur left to take the Cardinals head coaching gig, there was room on McVay’s staff. Kingsbury rejoins the NFC West after serving as a Washington assistant the last two seasons.

Kingsbury, 46, and the Commanders mutually agreed to part ways after the 2025 season.

Kingsbury had a 28-37-1 record as coach of the Cardinals from 2019-22 and lost the only playoff game he appeared in. He served as a senior offensive analyst at USC for one season in between his time in Arizona and Washington.

In 2024, Kingsbury helped lead the Commanders to the NFC Championship game with rookie QB Jayden Daniels. Washington ranked seventh in total offense, fifth in scoring offense and third in rushing offense. That took a dip this past season, finishing 22nd in both scoring and total offense.

The Rams will welcome the addition of another offensive guru to the staff that already features McVay and pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, who received multiple offensive coordinator interviews this past cycle.

The Rams will go into next season with current NFL MVP Matthew Stafford at QB after he confirmed Thursday night while receiving his award that he would be back next season. They’ll also have the dynamic wide receiver duo of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.

Kingsbury also went 35-40 in six seasons (2013-18) as coach of the Texas Tech. His rosters included star quarterback Patrick Mahomes from 2014-16.

–Field Level Media

Oct 21, 2017; London, United Kingdom; Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead (left) and coach Sean McVay on stage during NFL UK Live at The Mermaid London. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Rams coach Sean McVay, GM Les Snead sign extensions

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Los Angeles Rams announced multi-year contract extensions with head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead on Monday.

“As we enter their 10th season together, it is only fitting to reflect on the tremendous success Sean and Les have brought to this franchise, and the indelible impact they have made on Los Angeles and the NFL,” Rams owner and chairman Stan Kroenke said.

“They continue to embody the standard of this franchise to compete for championships, consistently delivering a product that our fans and city can be proud of. Their collaboration embodies the ‘We Then Me’ ethos we seek in our players, coaches and staff, and we are thrilled they will be leading the Los Angeles Rams for years to come.”

Since McVay joined the Rams ahead of the 2017 season, the team is 92-57 (.617) with seven postseason appearances (10-6 record) and a championship in Super Bowl LVI. Snead has been the GM since 2012.

The 102 combined wins for McVay, 40, and Snead, 55, rank second in the NFL for that span among coach/GM pairings trailing only the Kansas City Chiefs’ Andy Reid and Brett Veach with 123.

Los Angeles went 12-5 this season and advanced to the NFC Championship Game, falling 31-27 to the Seattle Seahawks.

–Field Level Media

Jun 3, 2025; Woodland Hills, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (4) during organized team activities at Rams Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Rams place CB Ahkello Witherspoon (clavicle) on IR

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The Los Angeles Rams placed cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon on injured reserve Monday after he suffered a broken clavicle Sunday in a win over the Tennessee Titans.

The veteran starter will have to miss a minimum of four games, though his timeline to return is likely longer as collarbone injuries take 6-12 weeks to heal, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Head coach Sean McVay called the situation “a big loss” for the Rams after they improved to 2-0 Sunday by beating Tennessee 33-19.

Witherspoon, 30, was in his third season in Los Angeles and started each of the first two games, recording three tackles and one pass deflection. He was injured in the second quarter against the Titans and soon ruled out for the game.

In nine NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers (2017-20), Pittsburgh Steelers (2021-22) and Rams (2023-25), Witherspoon has played in 92 games, making 64 starts. He has amassed 238 tackles, 12 interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 59 passes defended, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.

The Rams have Emmanuel Forbes, Cobie Durant and Darious Williams to choose from at the position. Forbes has started both games, and Williams made his season debut Sunday in relief of Witherspoon.

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay talks to quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Rams QB Matthew Stafford set for another Saturday workout

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Matthew Stafford is not ready to practice but head coach Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams anticipate their starting quarterback testing the health of his balky back on Saturday.

Stafford has not participated in training camp because of the back issue. He missed a targeted return-to-practice date on Monday after he tried to throw Saturday and experienced discomfort.

He received an epidural injection and earlier this week was filmed by reporters entering a hyperbaric recovery trailer parked at the team practice facility.

McVay said it’s a “little bit of both” pain tolerance and function Stafford must overcome.

“We’re trying to get our hands around this as well, so I don’t really have much more information other than think we’re trying some different things that are hopefully going to be in alignment with getting him back out on the field,” McVay said Thursday.

McVay said the goal remains having Stafford in the lineup when the Houston Texans visit Los Angeles for Week 1 of the regular season on Sept. 7. That gives the organization three weeks to find answers.

Backup Stetson Bennett IV completed 16 of 24 passes for 188 yards, two touchdowns and an interception last week in a 32-21 preseason home win over the Dallas Cowboys. Jimmy Garoppolo won’t play in the preseason, McVay stated, and is the likely choice if the Rams need an emergency spot starter for Stafford.

The Rams downplayed rumors the team would be interested in acquiring quarterback Kirk Cousins from the Falcons. Cousins and McVay have a history from their days together in Washington, and former Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is Cousins’ current coach in Atlanta, where Michael Penix Jr. is now the starter.

Stafford, 37, was the first overall pick by the Detroit Lions in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Cousins turns 37 next week. He entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick in 2012.

–Field Level Media

Aug 9, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) walks on the field prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Rams QB Matthew Stafford (back) still unable to practice

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford missed Monday’s practice in an unexpected development as he continues to nurse a back injury.

Los Angeles coach Sean McVay declared over the weekend that the 37-year-old signal-caller would participate in his first training camp practice on Monday.

Instead, Stafford was dressed in street clothes and reporters observed him stepping into an Airstream-type trailer known as an Ammortal chamber at the team’s training complex in Woodland Hills, Calif.

The Ammortal chamber is advertised as a “wellness device that aims to optimize human performance and promote holistic health through a combination of non-invasive technologies.”

Stafford is dealing with an aggravated disc in his back, which has limited his preparation as he heads into his 17th season.

In his absence, Stetson Bennett IV threw for 188 yards and two touchdowns in Saturday’s 31-21 preseason win against the Dallas Cowboys in Inglewood, Calif.

The Rams open the regular season on Sunday, Sept. 7, with a visit from the Houston Texans.

Stafford completed 340 of 517 passes (65.8 percent) for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions last season while starting all 16 games in which he appeared.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Stafford has completed 63.4 percent of his passes for 59,809 yards, 377 TDs and 188 interceptions in 222 regular-season games (all starts) with the Detroit Lions (2009-20) and Rams. He ranks 10th all-time in touchdown passes and passing yardage — and second to Aaron Rodgers among active quarterbacks. The Lions selected him with the first overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft out of Georgia.

Stafford led the Rams to a 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.

–Field Level Media

May 21, 2024, Thousand Oaks, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay (left) talks with quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during organized team activities at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Rams respect QB Matthew Stafford’s year-to-year status

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Matthew Stafford required only three weeks to accomplish what the 37-year-old quarterback and the Los Angeles Rams needed seven months to accomplish last offseason: agreeing to a new contract.

The Rams modified Stafford’s contract for the 2025 season, added guarantees for the 2026 league year and respected his sense of urgency to shorten the offseason drama head coach Sean McVay said brought on too many sleepless nights last spring.

“Maybe it’ll (take) about two, three days next year if we have to do this,” McVay said of the second February in a row investing time into the contract status of his quarterback.

“We’ve taken it a year at a time, and he’s earned the right I believe,” McVay said. “To be able to say he can play for a few more years if that’s what he wanted. But we’ve always had great dialogue, and I really think it’s been a year-to-year thing. He’s obviously under contract for two more years with us, but as long as he wants to play, I know we’re feeling really good about that.”

Stafford and McVay agreed the “end goal” both sides had in mind was a contract for a fifth season together — 2025 — to get a firm grasp of the franchise’s bottom line as they began reshaping the team in free agency.

The next priority was a three-year deal with left tackle Alaric Jackson, who signed Friday two weeks before he could’ve bolted in free agency.

McVay said the Rams are still actively talking about their approach to the limbo around wide receiver Cooper Kupp. There is no deadline for either side, but Kupp is aware the Rams have engaged other teams about a potential trade.

“We’ll take it a day at a time,” McVay said.

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay talks to quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Rams, Sean McVay anxious for QB Matthew Stafford’s decision on ’25

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Sean McVay wants to avoid what happened last offseason when the Los Angeles Rams spent months in limbo awaiting clarity from Matthew Stafford.

After reaching the playoffs and beating the Minnesota Vikings in the wild-card round, Los Angeles ended its season with a road loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC divisional playoffs last week, thus restarting the cycle of Stafford questions for the coach.

“We don’t want to have that go on again,” McVay said of Stafford stringing out a final call on whether he’ll play another season. “I don’t think that’s good for anybody. I think sooner than later, being able to get that clarity. Understanding clear, open and honest communication. I think there’s a lot of love coming from our part. I think there’s a lot of appreciation coming from his part as well. And I think a lot sooner than later is an ideal scenario.”

McVay did not fully commit to keeping Stafford as the QB1 in 2025. His plan, as usual, is to begin charting a course at quarterback, then expanding to other positions.

“The quarterback is always the first thing in mind as it relates to how you move forward with the team,” McVay said.

Stafford was acquired from the Lions in a deal in which the Rams sent Jared Goff and draft picks that ultimately landed wide receiver Jameson Williams, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, tight end Sam LaPorta and others in Detroit. Thirteen months after the trade was completed, Stafford and McVay were celebrating a win in Super Bowl LVI in February 2022.

Asked whether the Rams are definitively committed to Stafford in his 17th NFL season if he doesn’t retire, McVay was vague.

“We’ll talk about all those things at the appropriate time,” he said. “I love him. I love working with him.”

Stafford is among the league’s statistical greats, ranked 10th all-time in career passing yards (59,809) and touchdown passes (377), and ninth in both pass completions and attempts. He’s 5-2 with the Rams in the playoffs after going 0-3 over his 12 seasons in Detroit.

Stafford said he feels like he’s playing good enough football to return. He turns 37 two days before the Super Bowl and is recovering from a rib injury McVay confirmed was a factor in his performance, although it didn’t keep Stafford out of practice. Stafford’s wife, Kelly, said her husband played the final games of the season with five broken ribs suffered in a 12-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers last month.

McVay said tests on Stafford were taken after the game and “nothing showed up on that imaging.”

“But he did have some irritation. And then before the Minnesota game when he did get an MRI scan there showed some stress reactions. That was what was communicated to me,” McVay said.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) prior to a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images

Rams WR Cooper Kupp questionable for Week 7; Nacua next week?

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Cooper Kupp is questionable to play on Sunday but Rams head coach Sean McVay is optimistic the No. 1 receiver is ready to roll when Los Angeles hosts the Las Vegas Raiders.

Kupp has been out with a high left ankle sprain, an injury that hit Week 2 at the Arizona Cardinals. He caught 14 passes Week 1 against the Lions.

Two weeks ago, McVay said this week’s matchup against the Raiders was “an ideal target” for Kupp’s return. The Rams are returning from their bye week.

“(The Raiders game) was always an optimistic target date just based on a few weeks back that we had set,” McVay said. “But by no means is that guaranteed.”

The Rams are not ready to bring Puka Nacua back from knee surgery, but the wide receiver is expected to be back soon. He had four catches for 35 yards before exiting the Sunday night opener at Detroit on Sept. 8. He was placed on injured reserve with a sprained PCL. The Rams have a short week of preparation after playing the Raiders with the currently undefeated Minnesota Vikings (5-0) up next on Thursday night.

Kupp, 31, has 18 receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown in two games this season. He has amassed 585 catches for 7,213 yards and 52 scores over his eight-year career. The Rams selected him in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Eastern Washington.

His best season came in 2021, when he led the NFL in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947), receiving touchdowns (16) and receiving yards per game (114.5) en route to his only Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors to date. He caught the game-winning touchdown in that year’s Super Bowl, for which he was named MVP.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) prior to a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images

Rams WR Cooper Kupp (ankle) won’t play Week 5 vs. Packers

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The Los Angeles Rams have ruled out star wide receiver Cooper Kupp for their Week 5 game against the visiting Green Bay Packers, coach Sean McVay said Monday.

Kupp sprained his left ankle in Week 2 and has sat out since, though the Rams declined to place him on injured reserve, which would have required him to miss four games. Los Angeles has its bye in Week 6, so if Kupp returns for Week 7, he’ll have missed only three games.

McVay told reporters after Week 2 that the Rams were “kind of running out of spots” on injured reserve for players who can be designated for return. The team’s other top receiver, Puka Nacua, was placed on IR after the season opener.

Kupp, the 2021 Offensive Player of the Year, had 18 catches on 27 targets for 147 yards and a touchdown in his first two games of this season. He has racked up 585 receptions for 7,213 yards and 52 TDs since joining the Rams as a third-round draft pick in 2017.

As far as other Rams waiting to come off IR, the team plans to open the 21-day practice windows for injured cornerback Darious Williams and defensive tackle Larrell Murchison.

“I don’t want to put any unnecessary timetable on those guys, but I know they’re making good progress,” McVay said. “I think playing football and simulating some of the settings that occur in practice are going to be the best indicators. But they’re making good progress. That certainly isn’t something I would rule out — the possibility of them going.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) is carted off the field after being injured against the Detroit Lions in the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Rams WR Puka Nacua has PCL sprain, IR possible

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua suffered a PCL sprain in his right knee in Sunday night’s game, and injured reserve is an option for him, coach Sean McVay told reporters Monday.

Nacua appeared to sustain the injury on a 6-yard catch with 6:36 left in the second quarter of the Rams’ 26-20 loss at the Detroit Lions. He was originally listed as questionable and eventually returned to the game just before halftime.

However, Nacua was carted to the locker room at halftime and ruled out. He had four catches for 35 yards before his night was over.

In 17 starts last season, Nacua set rookie records with 105 receptions for 1,486 yards. He hauled in six touchdowns.

Rams guard Steve Avila suffered an MCL sprain during the game and is also an IR candidate, according to McVay. Veteran offensive tackle Joe Noteboom (high ankle sprain) will miss at least a few weeks, and guard Kevin Dotson (lateral ankle sprain) is considered day-to-day.

–Field Level Media