Matthew Stafford sits out start of Los Angeles Rams training camp with back issue — Sean McVay not worried
Instead of participating in drills, Stafford is working off to the side, part of a deliberately modified schedule the team hopes will extend his durability through the regular season. While fans might flinch at the word 'back,' head coach Sean McVay isn't sounding any alarms—he's doubling down on experience and patience.
Los Angeles Rams take no chances as
Jimmy Garoppolo
steps in and Matthew Stafford rests to manage
back soreness
Speaking to reporters at camp on Monday, July 22,
Los Angeles Rams
head coach Sean McVay explained the logic behind Stafford's absence from early training sessions.
'He's been throwing, feeling good. It's not anything that's necessarily new — something that he's dealt with before,' McVay said.
Rather than push
Matthew Stafford
through discomfort, the team has scheduled a ramp-up period lasting the first five or so days of camp. 'Going into Year 17, we were going to take a modified approach with him, kind of similar to what we did in the offseason program,' McVay added.
The Los Angeles Rams' approach reflects both Stafford's medical history and his deep command of the offense.
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McVay emphasized that if this were a younger quarterback, the story might be different. 'If he was a first-year player, then I think you'd say, man, every rep really matters,' he said. 'But because of his ability to communicate to me, to [the training staff], I feel really good.'
The Rams were already planning to rest Stafford every fourth day during camp, making this adjustment an extension of that long-view strategy.
Jimmy Garoppolo takes the reins at Los Angeles Rams camp, but Matthew Stafford's hold on QB1 stays firm
Until Stafford returns later in camp, Jimmy Garoppolo is taking first-team reps. Now in his second season with the Rams, Garoppolo offers security in a pinch and is expected to lead early practices while Stafford works individually.
'You do feel fortunate that you've got a guy like Jimmy that will step in and do a great job for the first few practices. And then Matthew will be ready to roll,' McVay said.
Stafford, who turns 38 in February, threw for 3,762 yards with 20 touchdowns and 8 interceptions last season.
The Rams rested him in Week 18 after clinching the NFC West—a move similar in tone to this one.
'He feels good about that, I feel good about that,' McVay said. 'Ultimately, it's about having him feel as good as possible — mentally, physically, emotionally — going into Year 17.'
With Stafford sidelined to start camp, the Rams aren't sweating the optics—they're sticking to the plan. McVay's messaging is clear: this is about preserving their veteran leader, not replacing him. As the team builds toward Week 1, Stafford's rest today is part of ensuring he's ready tomorrow. Training camp may have started without its star quarterback under center, but the Rams are betting that patience in July pays off when it counts in September.
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