Latest news with #SeanMcVay
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rams players and coaches like the idea of competing in flag football at L.A. Olympics
Rams coach Sean McVay, left, and quarterback Matthew Stafford are on board with the idea of players competing in flag football at the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) Tutu Atwell played quarterback. He played receiver, and he also played on defense. Years before diminutive and speedy Atwell matured into an NFL prospect, the Rams receiver played flag football. Could anybody stop him? Advertisement 'Nah, nah,' Atwell said, chuckling. So Atwell, a 2021 second-round draft pick who will earn $10 million this season, said he would be cool and fun if he got the opportunity in a few years to try out for the 2028 U.S. Olympic flag football team. Read more: Rams' potential trade for Jalen Ramsey creates suspense at OTAs Atwell echoed the feelings of Minnesota Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson and other players in the league since NFL owners last week approved a resolution that would allow them to try out for flag football. The resolution limits only one player per NFL team to play for each national team in the Los Angeles Games. Advertisement NFL players would compete for spots with others already playing flag football. 'It's great,' Rams coach Sean McVay said. 'If that's something that players say they want to be able to do, then I think it's a really cool experience for them to be able to be a part of while also acknowledging that, man, there are some other guys that have been doing it. 'I'm not going to pretend to understand the nuances tactically and what that game entails, but I think it's good. I think it's great.' Current flag football players might feel otherwise about an influx of NFL talent. 'This is a sport that we've played for a long time, and we feel like we are the best at it and we don't need other guys,' Darrell Doucette III, the quarterback for U.S. men's teams that have won five consecutive world championships, recently told the Washington Post. 'But we all have one goal in mind, and that's to represent our country. Advertisement Read more: This flag football quarterback says he's 'better than Patrick Mahomes,' best fit for L.A. Olympics 'We're definitely open to all competition. If those guys come in and ball out and they're better than us, hats off to them. Go win that gold medal for our country.' Details regarding NFL players' participation in the Olympics still must be worked out by the NFL, the NFL Players Assn., the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) and national governing bodies. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, one of the top passers in NFL history, grinned broadly when asked about playing flag football in the Olympics. Stafford would be 40. Advertisement 'Sure,' he said, laughing. 'I mean, nobody's going to want me to, but yeah, sure. It'd be fun. I'll coach.' Etc. The Rams signed offensive lineman David Quessenberry to a one-year contract, the team announced Thursday. Quessenberry appeared in 84 games with the Houston Texas (2017), Tennessee Titans (2018-21), Buffalo Bills (2022) and Minnesota Vikings (2023-24). The Encinitas, Calif., native was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma after being drafted in 2014 but underwent his last cancer treatment in 2017. He was the 2017 recipient of the George Halas Award, given by the Pro Football Writers of America to an NFL player, coach or staff member who succeeds in the face of adversity. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Sean McVay excited about NFL talent in Olympic flag football and calls it a rare chance
Sean McVay excited about NFL talent in Olympic flag football and calls it a rare chance (Image Source: Getty Images) The Olympics will be in Los Angeles in 2028. Flag football will be played for the first time. The Los Angeles Rams head coach, Sean McVay spoke in person with media members on Thursday, 29 May. He said he has come around to the idea of NFL players being on the Olympic team. The event took place at the Los Angeles Rams' training site in Thousand Oaks, California. Sean McVay shared his thoughts during a press meeting. He seemed excited about what the future could bring. Sean McVay says NFL players should get a chance to join Team USA On May 29, 2025, Sean McVay told the media he is a fan of NFL players playing Olympic flag football. I think it would be great if athletes could aspire to represent Team USA in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.' Sean McVay said, 'I think it's great.' He added that 2028 feels far away but players should have the choice. 'If that's something that players say they want to do, then I think it's a really cool experience,' Sean McVay said. He shared that each NFL team may be allowed to send one player. He believes it should be up to the players. Sean McVay said he does not know all the flag football rules but still supports the plan. He also talked about Justin Jefferson, a wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings. Sean McVay said Justin Jefferson sounded excited about the Olympics. That excitement, he said, shows this is a special chance. In October 2023, flag football was added to the 2028 Games by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Matthew Stafford says he might not play but is ready to coach At the same event, Matthew Stafford, quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, was asked if he would join the Olympic team. He laughed and said, 'Sure. I mean, nobody's going to want me to, but yeah, sure. It'd be fun. I'll coach.' Mathew Stafford may not be playing in 2028. But he showed interest in helping the team. This raises new questions. Will NFL players follow coaches from flag football? Or will they need help from well-known NFL coaches? Also Read: How Did Sean McVay's Life Get 'Ruined' After Being Hired By The Rams?
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Sean McVay shares encouraging update on Rams' contract talks with RB Kyren Williams
Sean McVay shares encouraging update on Rams' contract talks with RB Kyren Williams LA and Williams are still negotiating a possible extension before the season Kyren Williams is entering the final year of his rookie contract, which means he's eligible for an extension with the Los Angeles Rams. The two sides have been in talks about a new deal since early in the offseason and those negotiations are still ongoing. After practice on Wednesday, Sean McVay provided an update on where those conversations stand, saying the two sides have made 'positive progress.' It'll still come down to finding a good middle ground between how the Rams value Williams and what he (and his agent Drew Rosenhaus) believe he's worth, which they have yet to do yet. "Yeah, I think first of all, Drew has been out outstanding,' McVay said. 'I think the dialogue has been really healthy and the one thing about these negotiations is trying to be able to figure out, alright, where is that line that that fits what everybody wants to be able to get done? And we all know how much we love Kyren. Drew's got a responsibility. I think his communication's been excellent and Kyren has been the same stud that we know, great demeanor, great willingness to come out here to work, to be able to get better. He's been great in terms of our communication. It means a lot just because you don't minimize those things are real and those are real things that guys have to navigate. You want to make sure that you're asking the right questions, giving them opportunities to be able to give you that feedback and just keep the communication lines open. Hopefully we'll see where this goes, but I think it's been really healthy and positive progress for sure.' There's no real deadline for a deal to get done, though they would both probably like to have it finished by the start of the season so Williams can worry about his performance and not contract negotiations. The Rams have done extensions in-season before but if it doesn't play out that way with Williams, they could revisit this situation in the spring before free agency in March. Williams has been a workhorse for the Rams since becoming the starter in 2023, earning Pro Bowl honors that year with a league-leading 95.3 rushing yards per game. He scored 15 touchdowns in 2023 and 16 last season, rushing for a combined total of 2,443 yards in the last two years alone. The Rams did draft Blake Corum in the third round last year and Jarquez Hunter in the fourth this past April, so they do have good depth behind Williams in case of injury – or simply to take some of the workload off his plate. That depth won't deter them from signing Williams to an extension, but it could hurt his leverage in negotiations because Los Angeles is in good shape at the position.
New York Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Rams' Kyren Williams at OTAs amid ‘healthy' ongoing contract talks; other notes
LOS ANGELES – The thought of sitting out spring practices never crossed star running back Kyren Williams' mind, despite an ongoing contract negotiation between his representatives and the Los Angeles Rams. In fact, he felt strongly about showing up for reasons well beyond any long-term financial security. Personal accountability is one of them. Advertisement 'I'm very real with myself,' he told The Athletic on Wednesday, 'and I know I left a bad taste in everybody's mouth last year. I fumbled five times. That's not good; you have to take care of the ball if you're on the offensive side. So again, that's another thing that I'm well aware of what I left on tape. Now I have to keep proving (myself). … Attack it every day, because that's a professional attitude.' The Rams opened discussions with Drew Rosenhaus, Williams' agent, this spring and met with him in West Palm Beach, Fla., during the annual league meeting in March. At that time, the two sides were apart in their respective numbers. But the talks have continued, and Rams head coach Sean McVay said on Wednesday he appreciates Williams' presence at the voluntary workouts. 'First of all, Drew has been outstanding (and) I think the dialogue has been really healthy,' said McVay. '… And Kyren has been the same stud that we know. Great demeanor, great willingness to come out here to work to get better. He's been great in terms of our communication, (and) it means a lot. You don't minimize (it), those things are real. Those are real things that guys have to navigate. … Hopefully we'll see where this goes, but I think it's been really healthy and positive progress, for sure.' Williams is entering the final season on his rookie contract and his third season as the starting running back (he rushed for over 1,100 yards respectively in 2023 and 2024). Because of his ability, his fit in McVay's offense and his energy with teammates, it seemed natural for the Rams to consider an extension a season before his deal expires – something they had not done with running backs since former All-Pro Todd Gurley was on the roster. 'For me, I think it's good faith that we're even still talking,' said Williams. 'Even if we are not where we want to be right now, the fact that Sean, Les (Snead), the organization likes me enough (and) wants me enough to have those conversations a year early, knowing that it doesn't usually happen, especially at my position. … Just being able to have that respect, it means a lot.' Advertisement Williams is optimistic the two sides can figure out terms ahead of training camp this summer, which is when the Rams typically execute extensions for players. He added that he 'has no other option but to be optimistic.' All he can control, he said, is how he operates with the time he has with his teammates and coaches now that he's in a veteran leadership role. 'I'm more focused on – as a man, as a player, as a human being – how I can continue to grow every single day and how I can impact others in a positive way, and just be the person I am,' he said. '… I'm not really worried about what is (still) to come, because I know what I'm gonna do.' Williams is applying two simple, powerful truths to his mentality this offseason and beyond, regardless of the timeline of a possible deal: 'I play football because I really do love this game,' he said, 'and I know that I am able to take care of my family because of this game. … For me, (I) don't care what is going on. I know if I'm here, I'm getting better. … It's a no-brainer. Yeah, it's stressful because you don't get what you want right away in negotiations, but that's a part of it. You have to enjoy it, because I get to come out here every day and continue to still be who I am, despite what is going on.' More notes from the Rams' first day of organized team activities (OTAs). (As a reminder, the team enforces a media policy that prohibits reporting specifics about the depth chart, plays and formations or other such details.) • McVay was asked again whether the Rams remain open to trading for Dolphins star cornerback Jalen Ramsey after Miami expressed a willingness to facilitate a trade this offseason. Again, the head coach didn't rule out the possibility or downplay the Rams' interest, saying, 'We would never close out those opportunities,' but added that the Rams and Dolphins have not recently had 'meaningful' dialogue on the matter. Advertisement McVay also said he doesn't believe the team needs to add more players to the secondary (outside of Ramsey, who would be a unique case) and cited cornerback Emmanuel Forbes' development after arriving in L.A. late last season and cornerback Derion Kendrick's return to the field. (Kendrick can play outside or in the slot.) Forbes did jump a route during a team period and intercepted backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. • Third year star receiver Puka Nacua had an excused absence from Wednesday's practice as he returns from a trip with his mother. Second-year receiver Jordan Whittington took on a significant portion of Nacua's workload and made several tough catches across the middle and sealed off the edge on more than one occasion during run plays, which drew praise from some coaches. (Note that real contact is not allowed during these practices.) • Veteran receivers Davante Adams and Tutu Atwell also made their presence felt. In seven-on-sevens, Adams stretched vertically for a contested catch won against Kendrick. Meanwhile, Atwell caught a deep pass for a touchdown after getting two steps on his defender in 11-on-11s. Rookie seventh-round pick Konata Mumpfield made a tough catch in coverage, with a second defender closing down over the top of his route. • Inside linebacker Omar Speights and safeties Kamren Kinchens and Quentin Lake worked to the side with athletic training staff during part of the team period. • Right tackle Rob Havenstein is not practicing as he recovers from offseason procedures on both shoulders. He said earlier this spring that he expects to be ready for training camp. The Rams have been developing third-year offensive lineman Warren McClendon as a backup swing tackle. • Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick attended Wednesday's practice and spoke with the team. 'There's so much crossover in leadership and the platform that we're blessed to be able to have,' said McVay, who initially met Redick shortly before the latter accepted the Lakers job in 2024.
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Washington Post
McVay admits Rams considering reunion with Jalen Ramsey, but trade discussions haven't heated up
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams would still love a reunion with Jalen Ramsey if they can swing a trade to reacquire the star cornerback from the Miami Dolphins. Rams coach Sean McVay also said Wednesday that those trade discussions haven't advanced in recent weeks — and if a deal doesn't happen, McVay is quite happy to enter the new season with the defensive backs already on Los Angeles' roster.
