Tag: McVay

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

Posted on | by Field Level Media

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

Posted on | by Field Level Media

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

Posted on | by Field Level Media

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

Posted on | by Field Level Media

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

Dec 31, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay coaches against the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Sean McVay ‘promises’ return to Rams in 2024

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Retirement conversation with Sean McVay can be put on hold after the Rams’ head coach confirmed he will be on the Los Angeles sideline again next season.

At this time last year, McVay said he was wrestling with how long he would remain in the profession as he started a family. He and his wife welcomed their first child in October.

But with his Rams on the doorstep of the playoffs, and McVay seven wins from setting the team record for victories as head coach (John Robinson, 75), he doesn’t want to leave any doubt about his status for 2024.

“That I can promise you,” McVay told host J.B. Long when asked if there would be a “Coach McVay Show” next season.

McVay turns 38 later this month. He was hired in 2017, guiding the Rams to a Super Bowl LVI win while building a 69-45 regular-season record (7-3 postseason) for a total of 76 career wins.

In 2022, McVay and general manager Les Snead signed contract extensions that expire after the 2026 season.

With one more win this season, McVay will have the Rams (9-7) back in the playoffs and move ahead of Chuck Knox into sole possession of second on the Rams’ all-time wins list, which counts regular-season victories.

Knox’s record with the Rams was 69-48-1; Robinson was 75-68.

–Field Level Media

Nov 5, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford looks on from the sidelines prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Rams expect Matthew Stafford back to QB1 following bye

Posted on | by Field Level Media

When the Rams return from a brief break for their bye week, the Los Angeles backfield should be close to full strength.

Rams coach Sean McVay said quarterback Matthew Stafford will be ready to return from a thumb injury that forced him to sit out last week’s loss to the Green Bay Packers. Running back Kyren Williams, on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain, is one week behind Stafford and targeting to play Week 12.

“Feel really good about Matthew, and how much he’s attacked doing everything in his power to be back and to lead the way for this team,” McVay said.

The Rams return from this week’s bye to face the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 19. The Rams defeated Seattle 30-13 in Week 1. Williams is first eligible to return from IR the following week at Arizona. The Rams beat the Cardinals, 26-9, in Week 6.

Williams remains the team’s leading rusher by a considerable margin with 456 yards on 97 carries and six touchdowns. He last played in the Oct. 15 win over the Cardinals and rushed for 158 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.

Stafford was diagnosed with a UCL sprain in his throwing thumb after making contact with a helmet while throwing in the 43-20 loss to the Cowboys on Oct. 29.

Stafford, 35, has thrown for 2,070 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in eight games this season.

Backup quarterback Brett Rypien replaced Stafford against the Cowboys after he was injured and completed 5 of 10 passes for 42 yards. He started Sunday’s game against the Packers and was 13 of 28 for 130 yards with an interception and no touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

October 15, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay argues with the referee during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Rams coach Sean McVay: ‘Son knows better’ than to arrive on gameday

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Fatherhood might not wait much longer for Rams head coach Sean McVay, but he’s counting on his son being a football guy from the start.

McVay said last week that he would be willing to miss a game for the birth of his first child. McVay said his wife, Veronika, was due to deliver a boy “any day now” prior to the home victory over the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday.

But the wait continued Wednesday, and McVay might be reversing course on the mandatory attendance element.

“My wife’s doing great. I know there was a lot made about me missing a game. I’m not going to miss a game,” McVay said. “My son knows better than to come during a game.”

The Rams are scheduled to play at home again this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

McVay said last week there was a contingency plan in place should he miss time for any reason, including the birth of his child.

–Field Level Media

Nov 6, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) runs for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Sean McVay: Rams WR Cooper Kupp will play Sunday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams All-Pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp will make his season debut Sunday against the unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles.

Head coach Sean McVay confirmed Friday that Kupp will play when the Rams (2-2) take on the visiting Eagles (4-0) at SoFi Stadium.

Kupp missed the first four weeks of the season on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. The Rams opened his 21-day practice window Wednesday, and he is expected to be activated to the 53-man roster Friday or Saturday, McVay said.

Kupp, 30, was first injured in a training camp practice Aug. 1. He originally was expected to be out one to two weeks but missed all three preseason games. He returned to practice before the Aug. 26 preseason game against Denver before having a setback with the injury.

He won the receiving triple crown in 2021, leading the NFL with 145 catches, 1,947 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns, and won NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He was limited to nine games in 2022 with a high ankle sprain.

Kupp has 508 receptions for 6,329 yards and 46 touchdowns in 80 games (66 starts) since the Rams drafted him in the third round in 2017.

In Kupp’s absence, fifth-round pick Puka Nacua established NFL rookie records for catches and yards through four games.

Nacua, 22, has 39 receptions for 501 yards and one touchdown. Last Sunday, he capped his third 100-yard game of the season with the game-winning 22-yard TD catch in overtime to beat the Indianapolis Colts, 29-23.

–Field Level Media

Jun 14, 2023; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams receiver Cooper Kupp (10) during minicamp at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Rams WR Cooper Kupp could land on IR, Sean McVay says

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Cooper Kupp, already ruled out for the season opener, could land on injured reserve, coach Sean McVay admitted to reporters Friday.

“We have until tomorrow to make that decision, but I would say there is a definite possibility on all those guys,” McVay said of Kupp, backup quarterback Stetson Bennett and tight end Hunter Long.

McVay had ruled Kupp out for Week 1 against the host Seattle Seahawks back on Wednesday. Kupp has been seeing a specialist about his lingering hamstring problem.

If Kupp or any of his injured teammates are placed on injured reserve by Saturday, they will miss the first four games of the regular season before being eligible to return.

Kupp, 30, was first injured in a training camp practice Aug. 1, leaving the field 30 minutes into a workout. He was originally expected to be out 1-2 weeks but he missed all three preseason games.

Kupp won the receiving triple crown in 2021, leading the NFL with 145 catches, 1,947 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns, and won NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He was limited to nine games in 2022 with a high ankle sprain.

Bennett (throwing shoulder) and Long (thigh) were also ruled out for the Seattle game on Wednesday.

–Field Level Media