LOS ANGELES — Before questions could be tossed toward head coach Sean McVay on Saturday morning as Rams training camp check-ins at Loyola Marymount University began, he cleared the air of the expected questions.
No, franchise great and future Hall of Fame defensive lineman Aaron Donald has not decided if he will come out of retirement and join the Rams’ defensive line alongside Myles Garrett and compant. But McVay did say the three-time Defensive Player of the Year, who was seen working out earlier this month at the team’s practice facility in Woodland Hills, is “putting himself in a position to make a decision” and that his return is something that the Super Bowl-favorite Rams would try to make happen should the 35-year-old elect to return to the NFL.
“For those of you guys that do know Aaron, he’s very diligent,” McVay said. “Anything that he does, he does all-in. And so he’s going through a very strict, regimented process that was similar to what he did when he played. See how his body responds and feels, and then we’ve had some things that we’ll just kind of check up on each other, and then we’ll see when we have more information whether or not we’re going to give it a go or whether or not he’s going to continue to enjoy what he’s been doing for the last couple years.”
From the outset of players arriving one by one, all important parties appeared present. Quarterback Matthew Stafford arrived. So did first-round draft pick Ty Simpson, who officially signed with the Rams on his rookie contract Saturday, a league source confirmed to the Southern California News Group.
ESPN first reported Simpson’s contract at four years and $25.4 million fully guaranteed, to go with a $14.94 million signing bonus. Simpson was the final first-round quarterback to agree to his rookie deal.
And then Garrett and wide receiver Puka Nacua waltzed into camp. McVay said Nacua, who is in the final year of his rookie deal and is eligible for a massive extension that could potentially set a new standard in the market for receivers, would be taking part in practices during training camp.
Nacua and left tackle Alaric Jackson potentially face discipline from the league for off-the-field incidents during the offseason. McVay said both players would be a part of their training camp plans as the “processes take place.”
“We’re trying to work in collaboration and coordination with both the legal system and the league to be able to get all the necessary information to be able to understand, to be able to listen and understand, and then ultimately be able to try to influence and affect positive decisions and use all these things as learning opportunities for us,” McVay said.
Stafford, on the other hand, will be more involved than he was in last year’s training camp when the now-38-year-old signal caller. entering his 18th season in the league, missed the entirety of team’s stint at Loyola Marymount with a back issue. The Rams plan to have Stafford sit out on the first and third day of their four-day practice block schedule, meaning he will be off for the first day of training camp Sunday.
“How can we make sure that going into his year, where he’s accumulated so much experience, ultimately really for our team, especially somebody going into Year 18, mentally, physically, emotionally, how can we be as fresh and ready to go when we start in Australia?” McVay said about Stafford, adding that the reigning league MVP was healthy entering training camp.
Simpson and fellow quarterback Stetson Bennett IV will be duking it out for backup quarterback reps behind Stafford after Jimmy Garoppolo departed the organization and is considering retirement.
“As Matthew gets a chance to be able to take some of those days off, I think that’s when you’ll really see (Simpson and Bennett) get more reps than they would otherwise,” McVay said. “We want to try to create as many competitive situations so we’re good-on-good basically every period.”
Adams addresses trade talks
Speaking for the first time since being a part of offseason trade rumors between the Philadelphia Eagles and Rams revolving a potential deal for wide receiver AJ Brown, All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams said that “it’s just the way the business goes,” and that he’s looking forward to his second year with the Rams.
“Ultimately, I’m still a Ram, and I’m here, and I’m happy to be here,” said Adams, 33, who emphasized that he’s a “teenager” in the NFL, entering his 13th season. “That’s all that matters right now. And I know my teammates are excited to have me here. Just worried about going out, having a good training camp, and seeing how the year goes.”
McVay added that Adams is a “total G” and a “future gold jacket guy,” saying that the reason the Rams didn’t part ways with the six-time Pro Bowler was because potential moves weren’t best for the team.
“I think he was able to understand, like, what was the reality of it?” McVay said of his conversations with Adams. “Let’s acknowledge it. But most importantly, let’s also make sure that we don’t misunderstand the fact that you’re here because you’re going to be a focal point of our offense. He was last year (and) I think we can even build on it.”
Extensions on the table?
The Rams’ 2023 draftees – Kobie Turner, Byron Young, Steve Avila, Warren McClendon and Nacua – are all entering the final years of their contracts. When asked about extension conversations between the Rams and the expiring contracts from that group, McVay said they have had conversations with those players, but there is also moving parts involved with decision making going forward, including Donald’s decision.
“We’ve had a lot of internal dialogue and discussions, and there’s been a lot of moving parts,” McVay said. “I’ve talked to those players about it. They’re obviously very important to us, the – the ones that you’re referring to, as are the guys that are not in contract situations.”
Avila, who started 13 of 15 regular-season games for the Rams last season primarily at left guard, said “all that stuff will work itself out here soon,” and that his focus is on the season ahead.