Rams announce 6 new coaching hires for 2025, including former Patriots OC Alex Van Pelt
Among the new hires is Alex Van Pelt, who was the New England Patriots' offensive coordinator in 2024 and will be a senior offensive assistant for the Rams. He joins the team for his first season in L.A. after a one-year stint in New England. He was previously the Cleveland Browns' offensive coordinator from 2020-2023, as well.
He's known for his ability to coach quarterbacks, serving as a QBs coach with the Bills, Buccaneers, Packers, Bengals and Browns.
Additionally, the Rams brought back Jimmy Lake as a senior defensive assistant. Lake left the Rams in 2024 after Raheem Morris was hired by the Falcons, going on to become Atlanta's defensive coordinator. He was fired after one season, however.
The other new hires are Scott Huff as the tight ends coach, Ben Kotwica as an assistant special teams coach, Dan Shamash as a game management coordinator and assistant TEs coach and Drew Wilkins as the pass rush coordinator.
Nate Scheelhaase was also promoted from offensive assistant/pass game specialist to pass game coordinator.
Below is the full coaching staff for 2025 now that it's been finalized.
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USA Today
5 hours ago
- USA Today
3 Chargers players on the roster bubble who helped themselves vs. Rams
The Chargers lost to the Rams, 23-22, in their third preseason game. Despite the outcome, several players boosted their chances of earning a spot on the 53-man roster or practice squad with strong performances. Following the game, here's a look at which roster-bubble players helped their cause: WR Luke Grimm Backend of the roster spots can be won on special teams, and Grimm stood out in that department on Saturday. Grimm, the undrafted rookie out of Kansas, returned a punt for a 66-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to give the Chargers a 22-17 lead. He almost had another punt return TD the weekend before against the Saints, but he was tripped up. It'll be a tall task to beat out WR Derius Davis for return duties, but plays like this could at least warrant a spot on the practice squad. DT TeRah Edwards Edwards might have had the best play of the preseason, as he picked off Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett and returned it 27 yards. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter dropped the former Illinois product into coverage. He secured the football into his chest and truck-sticked Bennett along the way before being brought down. Like Grimm, he will likely be a practice squad candidate. But plays like this will carry on with him forever. S Tony Jefferson Jefferson, the preseason MVP, finished with three tackles and a pass breakup at the goal line on a fourth-down play, which prevented a Rams touchdown. He also added a special teams tackle. Jefferson leans more toward a near-lock to make the roster, but RJ Mickens, the sixth-round pick, could fend him off if the Chargers choose to only carry four safeties on the initial 53-man roster.
New York Times
8 hours ago
- New York Times
Bills Week 1 takeaways: Monitoring big-name veteran starters
Follow live updates as Buffalo battles Chicago after New Orleans came back to tie Jacksonville in Week 2 of the NFL preseason Getty Images Week 2 of the 2025 NFL preseason continues with the Bills battling the Bears in Chicago tonight after the Saints rallied to tie the Jaguars in New Orleans. Bears QB Caleb Williams impressed in his first taste of game action in the Bears' revamped offensive system under new head coach Ben Johnson. Williams capped the game's opening drive with a touchdown pass and racked up 107 pass yards on six completions. Earlier, Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough showed flashes of potential under center as the Saints' quarterback battle continued. But Rattler may have separated himself late by leading a 9-play, 82-yard touchdown drive in the game's final three minutes with the Saints trailing by eight. He then scrambled into the end zone for a successful two-point conversion to eventually force a 17-17 tie. For the Bills to make progress on defense, they're depending on two longtime starting players in the NFL to push them forward: defensive end Joey Bosa and cornerback Tre'Davious White. They brought Bosa to Buffalo to start opposite Greg Rousseau and boost their pass rush in the playoffs. They brought in White, not knowing if he'd be their starter, but due to rookie Maxwell Hairston's multi-week knee injury, it certainly seems like he will begin the regular season as a starter. Both players received two defensive series in their 2025 Bills debut, but Bosa had the far more successful day. Bosa put together some good rushes off the edge and provided stability as a run defender, whether it was in edge contain or crashing down to the middle and attempting to tackle the runner from behind. Although Bosa isn't the prototypical speed rusher off the edge, his power will provide a high-quality baseline to help the overall attack. The bigger question is about his durability, and it seemed to be a positive sign that Bosa took 13 of the team's first 17 snaps — penalties included. White played every snap of the first two series, but it was a bit of a miss. The Giants targeted him on underneath throws, with receivers getting separation. After a catch was made in front of White, the cornerback had some difficulty bringing down the ball carrier to minimize the gain. Tackling has never been White's strong suit, but it was less of an issue earlier in his career when his coverage skills were at their best. It's only one game, and White has had a strong training camp. It's something to monitor over the next few weeks ahead of the regular season to see if it becomes a trend. (Getty Images) A day after Andy Dalton injured his throwing elbow against the Texans, the Panthers agreed to terms with ex-Rams QB and reigning UFL MVP Bryce Perkins, a league source tells The Athletic . 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(Getty Images) Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler completed 18 of 24 passes for 199 yards and one touchdown with one interception for a 95.7 rating. Rattler led the key drive that eventually tied the game, a nine-play, 82-yard drive ending with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Dante Pettis. Rattler also ran in the two-point conversion to tie the game. OK, so that may not have been the prettiest NFL contest you'll ever see, even by preseason standards. At least we got an exciting finish! Let's see what you had to say: John W: Saints record this year 2-15. Jeff B: It's not a lock that Shough will be the starter. Feel free to head over to the "Discuss" tab at the top of your webpage or app, or send us an email at live@ with your thoughts! Getty Images First downs: Total plays: Total yards: Total passing yards: Total rushing yards: Turnovers: Imagn Images In a Saints quarterback competition that needed some life today, Spencer Rattler provided it. He bounced back from an interception and capped that last scoring drive off with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Dante Pettis. What was a morbid day for the Saints offense actually ends on a decent note. Will it make a difference in this battle with Tyler Shough? That remains to be seen. But the Saints needed to put something positive on tape. Q4 0:00 - Jaguars 17, Saints 17 What a wild end to the game! Seth Henigan, who was under center for Jacksonville, throws a costly interception to Jonas Sanker, the Saints' 2025 third-round draft pick. Sanker runs back 39 yards out of bounds, ending the game in a tie. New Orleans outscores Jacksonville 14-0 in the second half to tie the game at 17 apiece. Q4 0:21 - Jaguars 17, Saints 17 Oh my goodness! What a drive for Spencer Rattler, who overcame a couple of penalties on offense. He finds Dante Pettis for the 20-yard completion to get the touchdown. On the two-point conversion, Rattler scrambles out to his right, running into the end zone to tie the game at 17. What a comeback for the Saints. Can Jacksonville find a way to win? Q4 0:59 - Jaguars 17, Saints 9 Huge opportunity for Spencer Rattler here. With under a minute to go, the Saints QB has a chance to lead his team down the field and score. New Orleans is down eight, needing a touchdown and a two-point conversion to tie. Getty Images Spencer Rattler was 11-of-16 on the day for 123 yards but the interception he just threw leaves a sting. Tyler Shough finished earlier today, completing 9-of-12 passes for 66 yards. The Chris Olave drop would've made the quarterback's line much better. Both quarterbacks have flashed, but not enough to reach the end zone so far, as New Orleans only has three field goals on the board. This is one QB battle that will go down to the end of the preseason. Either way, Saints fans haven't been too pleased at the options. Could either Shough or Rattler surprise? It's possible. But there hasn't been much progress today against the Jaguars. Q4 4:42 - Jaguars 17, Saints 9 If the Jaguars hold on to win this game, they'll have to thank Kenhi Lovely. The cornerback picks off Spencer Rattler, who was orchestrating a likely scoring drive for the Saints. Now the Jaguars restart on offense, with under five minutes away from a preseason victory on the road. Lovely! Imagn Images Q4 9:40 - Jaguars 17, Saints 9 It's another empty drive for the Jaguars offense. After scoring 17 points through the first two quarters, they've been reduced to zero so far in the second half. John Wolford is in the game for Jacksonville at quarterback. On third-and-9, his pass was deflected, resulting in an incomplete pass. Can New Orleans get a touchdown and two-point conversion to tie this game? Q4 11:40 - Jaguars 17, Saints 9 The penalty was the killer for another Saints drive. This time, it was a holding penalty courtesy of offensive tackle Barry Wesley. Spencer Rattler made the drive respectable with a 17-yard completion to Dante Pettis on third-and-20. The fans at Caesars Superdome were upset that New Orleans punted rather than go for it on fourth down. Jacksonville will look for its first points of the second half on its next drive. Imagn Images Q3 0:00 - Jaguars 17, Saints 9 Through three quarters, the Jacksonville Jaguars lead by eight over the New Orleans Saints. Two field goals from the Saints in the third quarter bring them to a one-score game. Can the Jags hold on? Q3 0:17 - Jaguars 17, Saints 9 It's a one possession game. Charlie Smyth kicks his second field goal of the game, this time a 40-yarder to cut the Saints' deficit to eight points. New Orleans takes advantage of Jaylan Ford's interception of Nick Mullens. The question remains whether the Saints can score a touchdown. It sure looked like it when Spencer Rattler found Mason Tipton deep for the 45-yard pass and catch. But like every drive today, the Saints haven't reached the end zone. Imagn Images Q3 5:09 - Jaguars 17, Saints 6 That's a much-needed takeaway for the Saints. Nick Mullens throws over the middle, only to have Jaylan Ford pick him off. Ford, the former Texas Longhorn, was the Saints' 2024 fifth-round pick. The Saints restart on offense at their own 15-yard line. Q3 9:46 - Jaguars 17, Saints 6 The Jaguars went 53.85 percent last season on fourth down conversions. Today, they convert their first fourth down of the game. On fourth-and-1, Bhayshul Tuten, who already has a touchdown today, gets a great second effort to pick up the first down. Jacksonville's drive continues! Q3 11:07 - Jaguars 17, Saints 6 The Saints start the second half with points. Spencer Rattler, despite a positive start to the drive, couldn't get the offense into the end zone. He throws two incomplete passes inside the 10, including on third-and-goal, resulting in a fourth down. New Orleans placekicker Charlie Smyth converts a 23-yard chip shot field goal to bring the Saints within 11. Page 2
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Browns to name starting QB ahead of preseason finale amid battle in Cleveland
The quarterback battle in Cleveland is almost over. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski plans to name a starting quarterback for Week 1 ahead of the team's final preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams next Saturday, the team announced on Sunday. It's unclear when that will be announced specifically, but Stefanski said the team is using this week as a dress rehearsal for the regular season. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] "We will do more competitive periods than we would say in the regular season," Stefanski said, via the Browns. "So, we'll do plenty of Browns versus Browns in practice, as well as introducing carded periods where we'll be simulating the Rams' offense and defense. So big week for the football team." The Browns, who are fresh off a 22-13 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in their second preseason game, will officially open the season against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7. Who will the Browns name their starting QB? Though the room has been hit with several injuries that have altered the competition, the quarterback battle in Cleveland has been among the most interesting across the league so far this preseason. It started out as a four-man race, though veteran Joe Flacco has taken the majority of first team reps in recent practices and has appeared to have separated himself from the pack. Flacco returned to the Browns this season after spending last year with the Indianapolis Colts. Kenny Pickett, who seemed to have the early advantage in the race, has been battling a hamstring injury for several weeks now and has still been limited in practices. He hasn't taken 11-on-11 reps since going down on July 26. The Browns also picked up two rookie quarterbacks in the NFL Draft earlier this year. They selected former Oregon star Dillon Gabriel in the third round and Colorado standout Shedeur Sanders in the fifth. Sanders started the team's preseason opener, but he went down with an oblique strain last week. He did not play in the Eagles' preseason game on Saturday. Gabriel, who missed the first game with a hamstring injury, started on Saturday. He went 13-of-18 for 143 yards with two turnovers in the win. Tyler Huntley came in to replace him to finish the game. Stefanski said he was hopeful that both Sanders and Pickett would be able to increase their productivity in practice this week amid their respective injuries, but it's unclear when either of them will be back to full strength. Gabriel is healthy again, but he wasn't outstanding on Saturday. That leaves Flacco, who has undoubtedly proven himself time and again throughout in his career. He's due to turn 41 in January, however, and is not a long-term solution in Cleveland by any means. Whether Stefanski opts to go with Flacco or one of the younger quarterbacks still remains to be seen. At least an answer there is imminent.
