(East Los Angeles, CA) [From The Editor’s Desk]: Attention to all of our Rams fans! Back on April 20th, the team opened 2026 with Phase 1 of their early-off-season voluntary meetings, physical rehabilitation, and strength-and-conditioning sessions at their Woodland Hills Training Facility. It also gave credentialed media covering the team access to six very seasoned players during a scheduled availability session.

Here’s a quick overview of the three phases of advance preparations: The initial workout phase finished on May 1st. Phase 2 started on May 4th and lasted three weeks until May 22nd. Organized Team Activities (OTAs) on the field began with Phase 3 on May 26th and will run for four weeks, covering all 10 voluntary OTA practice days. This last phase concludes with the team’s Mandatory Minicamp on June 15–16. 

However, on the first day of the 2026 voluntary workouts, the available players included Steve Avila, Quentin Lake, Kam Curl, Tyler Higbee, Kobie Turner, and Kyren Williams. These players spoke individually to the media from the podium, answering numerous questions. If any of these players are among your favorites, this is a great opportunity to learn some new facts about them. 

Here are the transcripts from that session. Although this availability occurred early in the upcoming season’s timeline, fans are still eager to learn more about the players they’ve followed for years. These six frontline players, known for frequently communicating with the media, offer a lot of insights. If you intend to read the entire transcript thoroughly, good job. If you need to leave it and come back later, remember to bookmark it for quick access.

Rams Transcripts – OL/Steve Avila, S/Kam Curl, TE/Tyler Higbee, S/Quentin Lake, DL/Kobie Turner, and RB/Kyren Williams

[Offensive Lineman Steve Avila]

(On how his offseason has been)
“It’s been good. I was back home in Texas. I bought a house in December, and no one told me how hard it was to furnish a house. I was there for three months and I don’t have everything I need, but I have a good team around me to help me out with that stuff. I was working out at TCU and a lot of pro guys were there. There were like 10 of us there. I’m so grateful that they’re able to let us use the facilities. I was actually at practice because they’re in spring ball right now. I don’t know what it is but I love sharing information and stuff I’ve learned over the years. I was sitting out there at practice with them. I was in there watching film with them and coaching guys. I called [Offensive Line Coach Ryan Wendell] ‘Wendy’ and I’m like, ‘Hey, why am I excited to go to practice tomorrow? Is this my life? Am I going to be a coach?’ It was just funny, but it was a good time. I enjoyed it.”

(On how he approaches the offseason and whether it’s different during a contract year)
“I feel like everybody that’s up for extension is hoping to get one. That’s definitely something I wish could happen. I try my best to stay the same every single year. I know for me, I’ve always improved every single year I’ve played football. I feel like I owe it all to the team to be the best version of myself. I feel like all that stuff will come when it does. For now, I’m just enjoying the time here and enjoying the relationships I’ve built and enjoying seeing the sun every day. All that stuff we’ll worry about when it happens, but for now I’m going to focus on being my best self.”

(On his reaction to QB Matthew Stafford announcing his return at NFL Honors)
“Well first off, I think everybody’s hearts were pounding that night. We were just hoping he’d win that. It’s one of those things like with [Lakers] LeBron [James], he’s playing at a high level and it’s weird when he’s going to retire because it’s like, ‘You still got more to go.’ He played at a high level and I feel like it was kind of the same thing with him [Stafford]. It’s like, ‘Dude, you just came off an MVP. Like, is that it? Really?’ I’m glad he’s back. Again, I feel like we owe it all to the people around us, especially him, to give it our all and hopefully we can get another ring with that.”

(On whether he and the offensive line take any credit for Stafford’s MVP award)
“I think all of the pieces came together to have the team that we did. But no and he’s not going to say this, but none of that would happen without him. I feel like he’s the vital role in our team and being the guy who’s been in the league for a long time, he’s a lot of the reason why I want to do the stuff that I do is for other guys. Not only him, but like helping Matthew Stafford get his second ring. I don’t even think about myself getting it first. I contributed to helping someone as great as him get a second Super Bowl ring. I feel like a lot of guys feel like that. That’s what being a team’s about. You look at the guy next to you, it’s like, that’s who I’m doing it for. If I don’t have anybody else to do it for, that’s what I’m doing it for. I feel like that’s what our team encompasses. I feel like last year there was a lot of that. Going in there today, and seeing all the guys, it was like a family. It was like a family reunion and I’m glad to see how that’s going to develop over this offseason going into camp.”

(On how he supports Wide Receiver (WR) Puka Nacua during this tough time)
“Extending your hand out, especially at times like this, is definitely the one thing that you can do. Puka knows he has a great support system around him, and I think that’s who he’s leaning on right now. I feel that as a person, that’s all you can do is extend the hand. I know he’s taking care of everything right now. I know that he knows that we all love him and we’re going to do everything we can to help him. He definitely has his head on his shoulders. We’re going to let him go through that stuff and I know he’s going to learn from everything.”

[Safety, Kam Curl]

(On what about the Rams organization made him happy to re-sign)
“I’d say everything from the coaches to my teammates and just how this building’s culture. I feel like this is the best place for me to be. It played out well in my opinion compared to last time. It felt good to get it all done, especially with this organization. The fact that they wanted me to be back as bad as they did, it made me feel good.”

(On the additions of Cornerback (CB) Trent McDuffie and CB Jaylen Watson)
“I like it. Those dudes are some ball players. They are going to come help us out. We were just talking today, we all know the ultimate goal. We have to work at it one day at a time. I’m excited for them to be in the building.”

(On lining up next to Safety (S) Quentin Lake in the secondary)
“I feel like we are the best tandem in the league. I feel like we are both versatile, we both make plays in the box, on deep balls we are making plays and I feel like we both can do everything. We show that on the field and they brought us both back, so the proof is in the pudding.”

(On what his leadership looks like with younger players)
“Usually, I’m a lead by example type of guy, but I’ve been more vocal for the past couple years since I’ve been here. Anytime they have questions, just helping them out. That means I have to be on top of my stuff. Helping them out really helped me out too.”

[Tight End Tyler Higbee]

(On whether his decision to return was a long process)
“I don’t think so. You just never know with the uncertainty of things. Obviously, I didn’t want to go anywhere else, I wanted to be here. It was fairly quick, a week removed from the season, it was like, ‘I want to play ball.’ I got a few more years of good football in me. We have a team that will have a chance, a lot of things have to go right, but this is a team that can compete for a championship, and I want to be a part of it.”

(On whether the way the Rams lost in the NFC Championship impacted his decision to return)
“Yeah, one hundred percent. There are a lot of good things that we can draw from last year. It’s a new year and every year has its own season. Just being so close and tasting it and having experienced winning the championship before, it’s something I’ve been chasing since. I’ve been chasing since I’ve been in the league and then having a chance to win it and then you taste it and it’s like, ‘Oh I want more.’ It obviously played a role in all of it, but at the same time, I love this organization. This is a place I call home and I didn’t really want to be anywhere else and I’m happy to be back.”

(On how close the tight end room has become)
“We have such a great room, I tell people all the time, we have four starting tight ends in that room. The ability to be able to do everything and from all the guys in the room allowed us to get in some of those heavier tight end personnels. It helped us have some success last year and the more that we can show that we can do it and have success and help this offense and this team go, then the more it’s going to be hard for them not to continue to put us on the field.”

(On Tight End (TE) Terrance Ferguson entering his second season and what he expects to see from him)
“I know a lot of people talk about the tight end position being one of the tougher positions to transition from college to the NFL. He’s got it. He’s going to be a great player. I was even telling him earlier this offseason, training with him and I was just telling him that it won’t be as much of a onboarding process as it was last year. They’re going to be expecting you, the coaches and teammates are going to be expecting him to be ready to go and show up early and I expect the same thing from him. I’ll help him any way that I can but he’s going to be a great player and he’s got it. I’m excited to see the process.”

[Safety Quentin Lake]

(On his reaction to the Rams trading for Cornerback (CB) Trent McDuffie)
“I loved it. That’s the guy. We crossed over, so when he was a freshman at Mater Dei [High School], I was a senior. We crossed over in football. We crossed over in track and field. In track and field, I got to really get to know him a lot more. I’ve been seeing him from afar and he’s a fantastic player. You look at his body of work; he was able to get two Super Bowls. I mean, that’s just huge within itself because of the experience. There are very few players that get to be at that level and not only go there but win it too. To bring him into the room, fantastic person and a fantastic player. Obviously, I’ll get to know him more at this stage in our lives, but I’m very happy to get to work with him again.”

(On both he and McDuffie being from Southern California)
“I’s awesome. Keep the hometown where it’s supposed to be in LA, it’s awesome. You know what you’re getting. I think with [Cornerback] Trent [McDuffie], he’s the true embodiment of a Ram. He’s a player that is from here, knows the environment and knows everything within LA. Like I said, he’s going to be a great addition and when we get on the grass, I think that’s when it’ll really shine. But from my talks, he’s been great.”

(On having signed an extension and how it changes the offseason for him)
“It means more to me because last year during the season I felt like I was playing well, but at the same time, going into this offseason, I feel like there’s so much more I can really show. My body feels great. Mentally I’m in a good space. I’ve been telling myself I’m at peace. When you’re at peace, nothing can beat that. For me, there are a couple things that I want to accomplish personally, too. Obviously, as a team we know what the goal is. My dad told me this, he said, ‘Set your dreams high. Dream bigger.’ I have those things written down, but there’s so much more left on the table that I want to accomplish. I feel like going into this offseason, I started with a good foundation. We just talked about it in the team meeting, it’s all about foundation and fundamentals. If you can lock those down, shoot for the stars. I feel good about where I’m headed this offseason.”

(On how he is supporting Wide Receiver (WR) Puka Nacua)
“At the end of the day, being authentic and genuine to myself. That’s my brother. I love him to death. He’s one of the greatest human beings I’ve ever got to work with and be a part of. At the end of the day, all we can do is rally around him. That’s it. As a team, we love him to death. We know who he is as a person and as a football player. We’re just making sure we’re there to support him.”

(On what he thinks of Cornerback (CB) Jaylen Watson)
“Seeing him from afar, I love his game. I love how physical he is. I think having that physicality, especially in the back end, is so important. It’s important mentally and it’s important physically. At the end of the day, if you have tough, physical players in that back end, it helps that defense so much. To bring in a guy like that who’s physical, who’s big and who’s tough, it’s huge. Obviously, I’ll get to know him more as a person, but seeing his tape, it’s amazing. That’s a guy that I’m very glad we got to bring in as an addition to our team.”

(On Safety Kam Curl’s contract extension)
“That’s my guy. I told him when he got his deal, I’m going to be one of the first people outside his close friends…well, I feel like I’m a close friend to him, outside of his family that was going to call. I was ecstatic. I know his situation. The last time he was in free agency, it was a little bit different. I know he was so happy and he wanted to be here. I feel like we’re a two-man tandem. It’s like me and him or me and [Safety] Kam Kinchens. It’s great to have familiar faces back in the room and he’s a fantastic player. Everybody saw that. He showed everybody who he can be. He had one hell of a season last year. He’ll be forever remembered as a Ram for what he did in Chicago. Everybody was talking about that interception against [Bears Quarterback] Caleb Williams for weeks and weeks and weeks. He’s an amazing human being, amazing person and an amazing player. I’m so glad I get to see him each and every day coming into work again.”

[Defensive Lineman Kobie Turner]

(On becoming a father)
“Dad life is incredible. There are lots of surprises. Early on I figured out that baby’s poop in threes, so don’t change after the first one because if you try to change it, then she’s going to light you up the second you take off the diaper. It’s been the most rewarding thing to be able to be hand in hand with my wife Alisa and to be able to take care of Rowan together. I was up at 4:00 a.m. last night changing her diaper. She decided to pee the second I took off the diaper. It’s so many sweet moments. I’ll probably talk a ton about that. That’s going to be my entire life for a long time, probably the rest of my life.”

(On how he’s been supporting teammate Wide Receiver Puka Nacua)
“I think that it’s great that he is back here with us right now. He’s one of us. He’s our brother. It’s so great that he is back in the fold. That’s going to be his story to tell. When he feels ready to tell it, I’m sure he’ll be able to talk and say whatever he wants to say on that. Most importantly, that guy is our brother. It’s super special to have him back. We’re going to continue to build towards being the best people and the best version of this team that we can be.”

(On the current wellbeing of Nacua)
“He seems cool. He seems refreshed. I think for all of us, whenever you step into this building, I’ve been in the building a lot this offseason, and it’s just different when you come back and everyone else is back. I think that’s just the feeling that everybody has. Everyone’s super excited to be back. To see so many familiar faces, too, we have a lot of returning guys. To be able to come back and continue to build on the foundation that we’ve set and really to be able to build a new foundation this year, is going to be something that’s super special. I think we’re all feeling that same energy. We’re feeling refreshed, renewed and excited to go.”

(On his approach this offseason and whether it changes because it’s a contract year)
“There’s a great opportunity that’s presented before me to be able to take care of my family. The prep doesn’t change. I think about just me being here in this moment and how much gratitude that I have for what I’ve been able to accomplish and more importantly, who I’ve been able to accomplish it with. There have been so many brothers here that have pushed me to be a better version of myself on the field and off the field. That’s been able to put me in the position that I’m in today. It can be boring to say every year, but it’s a continuation of exactly what’s gotten me here and continuing to work hard and to be the hardest worker that I can be, to put my mental into the game and to continue to have that process that’s going to ultimately garner me the results that I want. That’s really going to be the basis of it all. It’s kind of the same thing every year. There’ll be little, tiny things that I’ll nitpick once those opportunities come back. I’m super excited. Obviously, it’s an exciting year. If I go and change up something now, that wouldn’t be doing myself justice and that wouldn’t be doing the team justice, so I’m going to be doing what’s going to be best for me to move forward, which is handling everything on a day-by-day basis. That’s going to ultimately be best for the team as well.”

(On how his daughter has changed his life)
“You always talk about having a why, and that gave me another why. I get to be her dad, and that’s the most special opportunity that I’ll ever have in this world. I’m excited right now that after this gets wrapped up, I’m going to go and shower, and then I’m going to go back and go home and be a dad. I think that also encourages me when I’m here, let’s get the most out of the work that I have. Let’s capitalize off of all my opportunities so that I make sure that she’s set for life. It also goes to, what legacy am I leaving? What type of man am I? What type of leader am I? What type of player am I? Am I somebody who when she grows older and she’s able to look back at certain things, or if somebody at school is like, who is your dad? That she’ll be able to talk about me and have a smile on her face and be proud of the output. I can’t even put words into how much that means. I can’t wait to be able to represent her as with the Turner that’s on the back of my jersey, along with the family that I represent and my wife that I represent. It’s such a special opportunity.”

(On Stafford returning for another season)
“First of all, obviously Matthew is such a G. To be able to have him back spearheading our team, leading our team, coming off of an MVP year, but also coming off of a year where you could say he was the MVP of being a leader as well for this team. He’s such a vocal leader that really brings guys along. He knows how many years that he has left, he ultimately decides that, but for every single year that we have that opportunity, we have to be able to maximize on it. He’s such a big-time talent, but such a big time all in all, all-around player, person and leader. You don’t have a ton of opportunities in this life to be able to say, we have a Hall of Fame quarterback and an MVP quarterback. It’s up to us defensively. I take this charge to our defensive front guys, is how can we be at our best so that when he’s at his best, we can capitalize off of it? So that we can take some of the weight off of his shoulders and to be able to take this team as far as we can take it. It’s such a great opportunity. I remember watching [NFL] Honors live waiting for his name to be called. When he said he is back, I was like, ‘Alright, let’s go.’ I almost wish I was in a weight room right now to be able to get back. It’s just a special opportunity, not only with him being here, but just with this team. You don’t get too many opportunities like that. It’s just about maximizing everything that we can do. How many times can we get together to train together? How well can we know each other, so that we can maximize the opportunities of getting him the ball back? Whether that’s through sacks, whether that’s through turnovers or whether that’s through playing good defense first down through third down to maximize his opportunities.”

[Running Back Kyren Williams]

(On what type of statement he is trying to make this season)
“A big one. Continuing to keep being consistent with the years that I have had and continue to show my dominance in the run game, pass game and the blocking game. I feel like I’ve continued to show how good I’m able to be in all three phases of being a running back. I just continue to keep showing those things and make big plays for this team this upcoming year.”

(On the difference in having a contract entering this season compared to last season)
“I think it honestly gives me a clearer sense of mind, a clear sense of direction and just being able to really enjoy it. I wasn’t enjoying it a lot last year, not knowing what the uncertainty of the contract and whatnot. Now that I know that I’m secure and I’m where I’m at and I’m at home, this is what it’s all about. Now I can just go out there and play football and just play the brand of football that I’ve been playing my whole life. To me being able to get that out of the way is honestly something big. It’s a big step, but I have to continue to keep working and showing those things.”

(On what he’s specifically focusing on entering this season)
“A little bit of everything. When I work out, I work out everything. This is year five now, I just got back to the basics of everything and I went back to St. Louis and I just was working on my body from the ground up. Building up my feet and my ankles, getting those strong so that when I put force into the ground that I’m able to explode and excel. Like I said, I’m just getting back to the basics. That was my main focus this offseason. Being around the people that I love and that time with each other.”

(On his relationship with Running Back (RB) Blake Corum and how they work together)
“I think we feed off each other really well. I think we both have that competitive mindset to where no matter who’s number is called, we’re going to go out there and make those plays when they need to be made. I can’t wait for this year to continue to grow that relationship that you were talking about on the field and off the field. I feel like we have a lot more growing to do off the field than we do on the field because that’s just what we do. Being able to continue to work with Blake and to be around him and all the other running backs. We were able to bring back our room, that was something for me that was huge. I’m super excited to keep working with those guys.”

(On playing with Offensive Lineman (OL) Warren McClendon Jr. last season)
“I learned so much about Warren. I love him as a player and being out there on that field with him when I had the chance this year to do that with him. It was fun because he has that competitive mindset, competitive spirit. [Former Rams Offensive Linemen Rob Havenstein] ‘Big Rob’ was a big part of our offense, but he didn’t flinch. He came right in and was going against the best defensive ends in the league. For me and for Warren, it’s honestly a hats off to him and just the work that he puts in and I’m super excited to see where he goes this year because he’s probably one of my favorite teammates to play with.

–RAMS–