Tag: Sean McVay

Jan 19, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) greets Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) after their game in a 2025 NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Rams’ Matthew Stafford noncommittal about NFL future

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford acknowledged Sunday that “it sure feels like” he has football left in him, but the 16-year veteran and one-time Super Bowl winner wasn’t ready to commit himself to 2025.

Stafford had just thrown for 324 yards and two touchdowns in snowy Philadelphia, and had a comeback attempt fall just short in a 28-22 loss to the Eagles in a division-round playoff game. The Rams reached the Philadelphia 13-yard line in the final minute before the drive stalled.

“As far as my future goes, I mean, it’s 30 minutes after our last game, so I’ll take some time to think about it. I feel like I was playing some really good ball,” Stafford told reporters afterward. The quarterback, who will turn 37 years old on Feb. 7, is under contract for two more seasons.

Stafford later said he enjoys competing and didn’t sound ready to retire.

“I love being in those moments. Sure as hell not afraid of them. And competed my (expletive) off and it didn’t go the way I wanted to today. Next time I’m out there, line it up. Let’s do it again.”

Coach Sean McVay, who guided the Rams to the Super Bowl title after the 2021 season, Stafford’s first in Los Angeles, sounded equally disinterested in talking about the quarterback’s future.

“I’m not really interested in talking about anything as it relates to next year,” McVay said. “Right now, I’m just appreciative of this team.”

The coach’s comments certainly made it clear he has full confidence in Stafford, who played his first 12 seasons with the Detroit Lions before he was dealt to Los Angeles in March 2021 for two first-round draft picks, a third-round pick and quarterback Jared Goff.

“(Stafford) put us in a position to win that football game. That’s who he is, and I’m not at all surprised. We all had the expectation with him leading the way that we were going to win that game,” McVay said.

The coach added that he and the team “didn’t see it going any other way than us winning that game 29-28.”

In 222 career regular-season games, Stafford has completed 63.4 percent of his passes for 59,809 yards and 377 touchdowns, both good for 10th in league history.

–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.

Rams eyeing Week 7 return for WR Cooper Kupp (ankle)

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Rams hope to see Cooper Kupp back on the field for Week 7, but Los Angeles coach Sean McVay said the star wide receiver returning that soon is not guaranteed.

Kupp has missed the Rams’ last three games after suffering a high left ankle sprain in a Week 2 loss at the Arizona Cardinals.

McVay told reporters Monday that Los Angeles’ Week 7 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders is “an ideal target” for Kupp’s return. The Rams (1-4) have a bye before hosting Las Vegas on Oct. 20.

“(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.”

McVay said Kupp would miss “an extended period of time” immediately following his injury, but the Rams did not place Kupp on injured reserve. Doing so would have required Kupp to miss four games, meaning he would not have been allowed to return until Week 8.

McVay said he has to speak with the Rams’ medical staff to determine whether Kupp can begin practicing after the bye week. Kupp has continued his rehab with team doctors over the past few days, McVay said.

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.

His best season came in 2021, when he led the NFL in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947) and receiving touchdowns (16) 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 ‘running out of spots’ on IR; Cooper Kupp could be next

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The injuries are piling up for the Los Angeles Rams, with star wide receiver Cooper Kupp the latest player facing a long-term absence.

Kupp sprained his left ankle during the second quarter of the Rams’ 41-10 road loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, and coach Sean McVay said Monday that Kupp would miss an “extended period of time.”

The same goes for offensive lineman Jonah Jackson and safety John Johnson III, both of whom have shoulder injuries. All three of those players are candidates for injured reserve, according to McVay, but there’s math to consider because of the NFL rule that only eight players placed on IR during the season can be designated for return.

“We’re kind of running out of spots, and we’re only into Week 3 in terms of the return to play,” McVay told reporters. “But that is a possibility for all of those guys.”

Players placed on injured reserve must miss a minimum of four games before being eligible to return.

The Rams were already without their other top receiver, Puka Nacua, who hurt a knee in Week 1 and went on injured reserve.

Kupp took over in that game — a 26-20 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions — and caught 14 passes on a whopping 21 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown. He had four catches for 37 yards early in the Arizona game before he came up limping.

The 2021 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, when he notched the receiving triple crown (145 receptions, 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns), Kupp has been one of the most productive receivers in the NFL in recent years — when healthy. He only played in nine games in 2022 due to a high ankle sprain and missed five games last season with a hamstring issue.

The Rams have also placed guard Steve Avila, backup tackle Joe Noteboom and cornerback Darious Williams on injured reserve since the season began. Jackson had slid over from center to left guard to fill in for Avila, who sprained an MCL in Week 1.

McVay added that kicker Joshua Karty has a “mild” groin injury that will lead the Rams to keep him out of practice during this week, but he should be ready to face the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3.

–Field Level Media

Aug 12, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay congratulates quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) after a touchdown in the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Stetson Bennett, first-round pick both question marks for Rams

Posted on | by Field Level Media

As the Los Angeles Rams prepare to enter the new league year in March, one of their biggest question marks is at the quarterback position.

Matthew Stafford and then who?

The 36-year-old Stafford will be the only quarterback on the roster come March 14 as the Rams churned through backups last season.

Stetson Bennett, a two-time national champion at Georgia, was taken in the fourth round of the 2023 draft to back up Stafford and potentially learn under the veteran as the heir apparent. Bennett left the team in the preseason for a reason that remains undisclosed, and the Rams then turned to Brett Rypien and later Carson Wentz as the understudy.

Rypien was released in November and Wentz will become an unrestricted free agent.

Coach Sean McVay said Thursday that the Rams will reach out to Bennett, 26, “at the appropriate time.”

McVay, in a video conference call with reporters, said it remains to be seen whether club and quarterback will be a good fit.

“And you figure out, ‘All right, where are you at? And is this something we feel like is best for him and our football team to bring him back into this ecosystem?’”

McVay continued: “Those will be conversations that we will have. And then I think once we have a better idea of what we’ll do with that, then that will give clarity.”

Bennett was placed on the non-football injury/illness list last September. At the time, McVay said the move was unrelated to a minor shoulder injury the quarterback experienced. McVay said he couldn’t share specifics, but said the issue was “bigger than” football.

“Out of respect for him and the situation, I’m going to leave all the specifics and particulars in-house,” McVay said then. “And I want to be able to do that out of respect for that situation, so I’m not going to really have any follow-up information or anything that I’ll give in that regards.

“I really hope that you can please respect my wishes in regards to keeping that in-house. I understand you have a job to do, but there are certain things that I think are a little bigger and a little more important. And out of respect for the particulars and the specifics, we want to keep it in-house, and that’s where I want to leave it please.”

Bennett played well in the preseason but faced questions about his maturity and readiness for the NFL during the pre-draft process following an arrest for public intoxication, despite his advanced age for a rookie.

Stafford, the No. 1 pick out of Georgia in 2009 by the Detroit Lions, won the Super Bowl in his first season with the Rams after Los Angeles sent Jared Goff, two first-round picks and a third-round pick to the Lions for Stafford on March 18, 2021.

The Rams never have made a first-round pick in the Sean McVay era and have the No. 19 selection in April’s draft. Will they use it on a quarterback?

McVay hinted Thursday the Rams could trade out of the first-round spot again.

“Oh, that’s a big if,” he said when asked about making a pick in the round.

–Field Level Media

Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebackers coach Chris Shula against the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Rams name seven newcomers to coaching staff

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The Los Angeles Rams announced seven additions to their coaching staff under Sean McVay on Tuesday, as well as the official promotion of Chris Shula to defensive coordinator.

Shula, who was the Rams’ pass-rush coordinator and linebackers coach last season, has been on the team’s staff since 2017. The son of former Cincinnati Bengals head coach David Shula and grandson of Hall of Fame coach Don Shula, he landed his new position after Raheem Morris departed to take over as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

The defensive staff will undergo an overhaul, with Giff Smith announced as the defensive line coach/run game coordinator, while Greg Williams arrives as the inside linebackers coach.

Smith was the interim head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers last season after Brandon Staley was fired. Williams was the passing game coordinator for the Green Bay Packers last season after he was an NFL defensive coach since 2009 with four different teams.

Other new additions to the staff include John Streicher as game management coordinator, Rob Calabrese as an offensive assistant, Dave Ragone as quarterbacks coach, Chili Davis as assistant special teams coach and Nate Scheelhaase as an offensive assistant/pass game specialist.

Remaining with the staff under increased responsibilities is tight ends coach Nick Caley, who also will take on pass-game coordinator duties.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay watches game action against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Rams coach Sean McVay to miss game for baby’s birth, if necessary

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Rams head coach Sean McVay plans to be with his wife when she gives birth to the couple’s first child and will miss Los Angeles’ home game Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals if the events overlap.

On Friday, McVay said his wife, Veronika, is due to deliver a boy “any day now.”

The couple married in June 2022.

“Really feel fortunate that it’s been a smooth pregnancy, my wife has been incredible and, so, it hasn’t quite hit me yet,” McVay, 37, said. “He’s active right now. It seems like he’s ready to come at any moment. What a blessing that will be.”

McVay did not reveal who would act as head coach in his absence for the Rams (2-3).

–Field Level Media

Jun 14, 2023; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay (left), receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during minicamp at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Rams WR Cooper Kupp (hamstring) returning to practice next week

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All-Pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp will return to the practice field next week, putting him a step closer to making his season debut for the Los Angeles Rams.

Coach Sean McVay said the Rams will activate his 21-day window to return from injured reserve.

The Rams play the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5.

Kupp went on IR with chronic hamstring issues and has missed the first three games of the season. He has one more to sit out — Sunday at Indianapolis — before he’s eligible to come back.

McVay said the coaching staff will take Kupp’s input about how he’s feeling before he is cleared to return to action.

“100 percent, it’s our dialogue,” McVay told The Athletic. “I trust the way that he knows how to feel. So, he’s practicing next week. We’re gonna see how he feels. Obviously, there are opinions that really matter. But he’s the one that matters the most, to me, because I know he knows his body.

“We’re not going to do anything that’s reckless. But I also have enough trust and confidence in our relationship, knowing how intentional he is about educating himself (and) using the information at his disposal. There’s an element of, ‘There’s always going to be a risk no matter what. Walking out this door, getting in your car.’ If he feels good enough, and the situation (is) in alignment where we’re ready, we’re gonna get Cooper back and ready to compete for us. He’s a big part of our team, and I know he’s put a lot of work in.”

Kupp, 30, was first injured in a training camp practice Aug. 1, leaving the field 30 minutes into a workout. He originally was expected to be out one to two weeks, but he missed all three preseason games. He returned to practice before the Aug. 26 preseason game against the Denver Broncos 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.

–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 has ‘setback’ in hamstring recovery

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp appears to be in danger of missing the start of the season after having a “setback” in his recovery from a hamstring injury, head coach Sean McVay said.

Kupp, 30, was injured in a training-camp practice Aug. 2, 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, although he did participate in joint practices with the Denver Broncos last week.

“He has a little muscle strain so we’re taking it day by day,” McVay said.

The Rams have revamped their roster since winning the Super Bowl after the 2021 season, with Kupp one of the remaining veterans along with quarterback Matthew Stafford and defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

Kupp played nine games last season before a season-ending ankle injury but led the NFL in receptions, yards and touchdowns in 2021.

The Rams are set to open the season Sept. 10 at Seattle, leaving little time for the 2021 All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection to resume on-field work.

Kupp is the No. 1 receiver for the Rams, who traded away Allen Robinson II, with Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell and Ben Skowronek following Kupp on the team’s depth chart.

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

–Field Level Media

Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur on the sidelines in the second half as the New England Patriots defeated the NY Jets 25-6 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on September 19, 2021. The New England Patriots Came To Play The Ny Jets At Metlife Stadium In East Rutherford Nj On September 19 2021

Report: Rams to name Mike LaFleur as offensive coordinator

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The Los Angeles Rams are hiring former New York Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to the same position, NFL Network reported Friday.

LaFleur effectively replaces Liam Coen, who returned to Kentucky as that school’s offensive coordinator.

LaFleur spent the last two seasons with the Jets after previously serving as the San Francisco 49ers’ passing game coordinator from 2017-20. He also worked as an offensive assistant with the Atlanta Falcons in 2015-16 and as an offensive intern with the Cleveland Browns in 2014.

It is not immediately known if LaFleur will be calling the offensive plays for the Rams. Head coach Sean McVay has done that since being hired by the team in 2017.

LaFleur is the younger brother of Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, who served as the Rams’ offensive coordinator in McVay’s first year with the Rams.

The Rams went 5-12 in 2022, with a six-game losing streak at midseason all but ruining their chances of repeating as champions. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was limited to nine games due to a concussion and later a spinal cord contusion.

–Field Level Media

Oct 3, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (left) and head coach Sean McVay talk during warmups before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Rams coach Sean McVay reluctant to discuss next season

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Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay plans a brief pause, stepping away from the daily grind to determine whether he needs an extended break from the NFL.

McVay has not committed to being back with the Rams for the 2023 season, confirming on Monday reports that he was contemplating stepping away before his 37th birthday later this month.

“Take the next couple of days, really be able to reflect and a lot of conversations that will dictate and determine the decision that’s best for me and my family,” McVay said Monday of when he would know his plans for next year.

McVay was hired as head coach of the Rams in 2017 as a 30-year-old offensive wunderkind with NFL bloodlines. The youngest Super Bowl-winning coach at age 36 last February, McVay acknowledged he considered not coaching in 2022 and reportedly was offered as much as $100 million over five years to join the Amazon Prime NFL broadcast team.

That, along with getting married and the death of his grandfather — John McVay — have all worn down the Rams’ coach, according to reports.

Los Angeles went 5-12 in 2022, a season marred by injuries to quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

Stafford started just nine games in 2022 due to elbow, thumb and head injuries. He said Monday he isn’t certain McVay will return next season.

Either way, Stafford said he plans to play for the Rams.

“I feel really good about where I’m at,” Stafford said.

Donald might not be a guarantee to play next season. He openly weighed retirement, and the Pittsburgh native touched on doubts he wrestled with before signing a new contract for the 2022 season.

–Field Level Media