Kristina Roberts
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford will not be practicing with his team at the beginning of this year’s training camp. The team’s head coach, Sean McVay, shared this news during the first day of camp. The reason for Stafford’s absence is a sore back, something that started bothering him during the offseason. While the details about his back issue are not very clear, Coach McVay confirmed that the team is taking it seriously and will give Stafford some rest.
“He’s got some back soreness that kind of crept up,” McVay told reporters. This means that Stafford will be spending the first five days of training camp working separately from the rest of the team. He will be doing light exercises on the side with the help of the Rams’ trainers. During this time, he won’t be throwing the football or running plays with his teammates.
Matthew Stafford is now 37 years old. He has been playing in the NFL for many years and is getting ready for his 17th season as a starting quarterback. In February, Stafford agreed to continue playing for the Rams under a new contract. This new deal is worth $84 million and will cover the next two seasons.
Stafford has been with the Rams since 2021, after leaving his old team, the Detroit Lions. That move turned out to be a great decision for both him and the Rams. In his very first season with the team, he helped them win the Super Bowl. Over the last four years, he has remained the team’s main quarterback, helping them reach the playoffs in the past two seasons.
Last season, the Rams had a strong performance. They beat the Minnesota Vikings in the wild-card round of the playoffs. However, their journey ended in the next round when they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles. Interestingly, the Eagles later went on to win the Super Bowl. Despite that loss, the Rams and their fans still believe in Stafford’s ability to lead the team to victory again.
Because of his age and the long years he has spent playing, Stafford’s health is always something the team needs to watch closely. A sore back might not sound very serious, but in a game as tough as football, even small injuries can cause big problems. That’s why the Rams are being careful. They want to make sure he is healthy and strong when the actual games begin.
Coach McVay seems to be staying positive. While speaking to the media, he didn’t sound too worried. Instead, it seemed like he was just making sure Stafford gets some extra care before jumping into full training. It’s common for experienced players to be given some time to rest, especially when the season is long and demanding.
Besides Stafford, another important player in the Rams team is also making news—Kyren Williams. Williams is a Pro Bowl running back, which means he is one of the best players in his position. As training camp begins, he too is involved in some discussions. Williams is looking to sign a new contract, and his current one is about to end. Still, even though he has not received a new deal yet, he showed up for the training camp on time.
“For me, there was no decision,” Williams said when reporters asked him why he chose not to skip camp. “I play football. That’s what I love.”
This shows how much he cares about the game and his team. Coach McVay appreciated Williams’ attitude and confirmed that the team would be talking to Williams’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, very soon. Their goal is to find a solution that works for both the player and the team.
The Rams know that both Stafford and Williams are key parts of their plan for the new season. They want to make sure both players are happy, healthy, and ready to compete at the highest level. While Stafford’s back problem is a bit of a concern, the fact that the team is taking early action to help him recover shows that they are thinking ahead.
The Rams have a big fanbase, and everyone is eager to see how the team performs this year. People are hopeful that with Stafford at quarterback and Williams running the ball, the team will again be strong contenders for the playoffs—and maybe even another Super Bowl.
But the start of the training camp has made it clear that health and teamwork will play a big role in the Rams’ future. Taking care of older players like Stafford while supporting younger stars like Williams is the right balance. It’s all about preparing the best way for a tough and exciting season.
As training camp continues over the next few weeks, all eyes will be on the Rams. Fans will be waiting to hear when Stafford is ready to join the team again. Until then, the rest of the players will continue preparing, and the coaches will keep building the team’s strength.
In sports, it’s normal for unexpected things to happen. Players get hurt. Contracts take time. But the most important thing is how a team handles these challenges. The Rams seem to be handling them with care, planning, and a positive attitude.
Will Stafford recover fully in time for the season opener? Will Williams get the contract he deserves? Will the Rams be strong enough to make it all the way again? Only time will tell, but for now, the journey has begun—with patience, hope, and a lot of hard work ahead.
