Rams coach Sean McVay was surrounded by prospects during OTA practices this spring. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Optimism abounded, though it was tempered by uncertainty.
That is how the Rams entered their summer break.
Players emerged last week from voluntary offseason workouts without major injuries, star receiver Cooper Kupp appeared to regain his form, and coach Sean McVay and his staff were able to evaluate young players as they approached 2024 A.D. — the season after Aaron Donald retired.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford, however, remained at odds with the team over his contract. So McVay and Rams executives will attempt to compartmentalize anxiety and relax before players report to Loyola Marymount for training camp on July 23.
Some questions the Rams will need answered:
Will Matthew Stafford show up?
Matthew Stafford flips a football during their final OTA practice at Cal Lutheran University. The Rams quarterback is not flip about his contract status. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Stafford participated in voluntary offseason workouts, and coaches and teammates said there were no signs he was unnerved or distracted.
Stafford is no doubt all for an escalating quarterback market but can’t be overjoyed when comparing his contract to Detroit’s Jared Goff and Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, the latest to break the bank. If the Rams and Stafford cannot work things out before camp, Stafford could opt not to report regardless of fines.
That would be a ginormous distraction for McVay and the players. With backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo suspended for the first two games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, Stetson Bennett would be on track to make his NFL debut in the season opener at Detroit.
Read more: Why Matthew Stafford holds the power in contract issue with Rams ahead of camp
If Stafford reports and his contract issues remain unresolved, McVay and other players will be asked about it every day. And Stafford —…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/mini-camp-previews-questions-rams-113030732.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-06-16 11:30:30
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