Sean McVay enters his 10th season as head coach of the Rams, looking to build on a successful 2025 campaign in which they were outshone by division rival Seattle, which eventually went on to win the Super Bowl. With Nathan Scheelhaase taking over as offensive coordinator and Matthew Stafford back, the Rams bring back a loaded offense. Stafford suffered a shoulder injury against Arizona in Week 4 and did not finish the game. They return top running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum and, more impressively, every player who caught a pass last year. Davante Adams, Puka Nacua, Jordan Whittington, Tyler Higbee, and Colby Parkinson lead a dangerous receiving room. Up front, the offensive line returns all five starters: Alaric Jackson, Steve Avila, Coleman Shelton, Kevin Dotson, and Warren McClendon.
Chris Shula returns for his third season as defensive coordinator. The Rams return ten of their top eleven tacklers from last year, though Jared Verse is the most notable departure after he was sent to Cleveland in the blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett. Beyond that move, the Rams did little else except acquire Garrett and bring Aaron Donald back from retirement. Stacked with talent is an understatement. Donald and Garrett join Poona Ford, Kobie Turner, Byron Young, Nate Landman, and Omar Speights in the front seven. Garrett suffered a knee injury in Week 1, underwent surgery, and was placed on injured reserve. The secondary returns Kamren Curl, Kamren Kinchens, Quentin Lake, Jaylen McCollough, and Emmanuel Forbes, and welcomes Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie from the Chiefs.
Bubba Ventrone is the new special teams coordinator. The Rams welcome back Harrison Mevis, who hit 12 of his 13 field goals a year ago. Punter Ethan Evans returns. Xavier Smith will handle punt returns, while Jordan Whittington is slated to handle kick returns. The Rams are 2-2. Los Angeles entered the season with few glaring weaknesses, but Garrett’s injury and Stafford’s latest setback will test a roster that entered the year with championship expectations.