NFL
By George Lopez
As the Los Angeles Rams prepare to start training camp for the 2026 season on July 26th, the team is aware of the talk around the league. That talk is that they enter the season as favorites to win the Super Bowl. The team will look to quiet the outside noise of Super Bowl talk. They work to get new players acquired through free agency, trades, and the draft brought up to speed in the team’s system.
Following the end of the 2025 season, the Rams made a lot of noise by immediately trading for DB Trent McDuffie and signing free agent DB Jaylen Watson to help strengthen their defensive secondary. The biggest splash the Rams made in the offseason was trading for reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. Though the trade did cost the Rams Jared Verse, the addition of Garrett helps to strengthen the Rams’ defensive line.
The trade for Garrett has sparked interest from Aaron Donald in coming out of retirement. He may play alongside Garrett to make another run for a Super Bowl title. Ram fans are at a fever pitch with the thought of Donald and Garrett playing on the same defensive line. Though Donald was seen working out with the team a couple of weeks ago, he has not decided whether he will come out of retirement.
Fans are extremely excited about the acquisition of Garrett. However, the biggest moves the Rams made in the offseason were the trade for McDuffie and the signing of Watson. The Rams’ secondary was viewed as a weak spot at the end of the 2025 season. By bringing in McDuffie and Watson, the Rams have two lockdown-caliber defensive backs that they can match up with their opponents’ top receivers. McDuffie and Watson will allow the Rams to play more man coverage on the outside. Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula will look to use training camp to incorporate more blitz packages into his defensive schemes.
On the offensive side, one of the questions the Rams will need to address is who will emerge as the #3 receiver in head coach Sean McVay’s multiple receiver formations. Throughout training camp, Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith and CJ Daniels will battle each other. One will be the top option behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Whittington enters his 3rd season with the Rams. He is likely the early camp favorite to land the #3 receiver spot. As a rookie, Mumpfield did see considerable playing time. He will push Whittington for regular rotation reps. Look for rookie CJ Daniels to be more in the mix for a special teams position.
In the NFL draft, the Rams took quarterback Ty Simpson in the first round. The Rams view Simpson as the heir apparent to Matthew Stafford. Simpson enters camp looking to battle Stetson Bennett for the backup quarterback position. The prevailing thought is that Bennett will be the backup to Stafford. Simpson will use the season to learn the Rams’ system and intricacies of being an NFL quarterback from Stafford. Simpson gettting live-action reps during the preseason games provides great experience.
The Los Angeles Rams enter training camp to get through camp as healthy as possible as they prepare for the upcoming season. The new players will look to build chemistry with the returning players to build consistency. Fans wait with excited anticipation for any news on the possible return of Aaron Donald. Fans are eagerly awaiting the start of training camp. They are looking forward to the start of the 2026 NFL season.
