(East Los Angeles, CA) [From The Editor’s Desk]: And we’re off! To all Rams fans who have always appreciated our publishing of the Rams Transcripts prepared by the team’s media team, here is Head Coach Sean McVay’s very first media appearance, which coincides with the beginning of Training Camp for the 2026 season.

Coach McVay, now in his 10th year with the Rams, gives his keen insights covering updates on key players, the evolving defense with Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie, the potential comeback of Aaron Donald, contract extensions for 2023 rookies, his rookie quarterback, the training camp theme, season expectations, and more. This information is perfect for both longtime and new Rams fans to begin their preparations for the upcoming season, just as the team is doing.

 Rams Transcripts – Head Coach Sean McVay – 7/25/26, Saturday

[Head Coach Sean McVay]

(Opening Statement)…….
“Hopefully everybody had a good little break. A couple things that I’ll start off with. We’re obviously very excited to get going, coaches and players. We got here with our coaches yesterday and then our players are in the midst of reporting right now. As it relates to situations with Alaric [Jackson] and Puka Nacua, those are ongoing things that we’re gathering all the information legally. Those guys will both be here and they’ll be a part of what we’re doing, but we’re trying to work in collaboration and coordination with both the legal system and the league to be able to get all the necessary information to be able to listen and understand, and then ultimately be able to try to influence and affect positive decisions and use all these things as learning opportunities for us. But when I have more information, I’ll obviously share that with you guys as we’re gathering information. Any of the conversations that I’ve had with those players, I want to be able to keep that between me and those players while also not minimizing or acknowledging that what we want to try to do is represent, be the best people that we can possibly be and use every single opportunity to try to be able to gather the information to make the appropriate decisions. And then ultimately, try to be able to influence and affect each other in the positive ways with how we move. That’s really important to me. I think you guys know that. We will let those processes take place, but those players will be here. And then I’m sure everybody’s wondering about Aaron [Donald]. He is going through his process and he is putting himself in a position to make a decision and he’s earned the right to be able to do that. For those of you guys that do know Aaron, he’s very diligent. Anything that he does, he does all in so he’s going through a very strict regimen and process that was similar to what he did when he played, see how his body responds and feels. And then we’ve had some things that we’ll just check up on each other and then we’ll see when we have more information whether or not we’re going to give it a go or whether or not he’s going to continue to enjoy what he’s been doing for the last couple years. But if that is something that he wants to do, we are going to try to be able to make that happen. But I genuinely do not have an answer on whether he is or isn’t. I know he’s preparing himself to be able to make that decision. And if he feels good, then you guys know he’s going to be ready to rock. But if not, he’s earned the right. He doesn’t owe us anything. He’s a special person. You guys know what he means to me. And so with that, I’ll open up for questions.”

(On if Puka Nacua will practice amidst contract negotiations)
“Oh, he’ll practice, yes. My understanding is everybody’s going to practice and be ready to go. It’ll be fun to be able to get back out there with the guys tomorrow.”

(On approaching and embracing the outside expectations for this season)
“I think you just said it, Vinny. How can we be inside out more than ever before? The last time I checked, none of that stuff means anything. It’s what’s great about the league. People care, there’s a lot of attention, but this is the greatest team sport there is. We’ve got to come together as a team. We’ve got to stay humble. There’s a lot of stuff in the midst of the journey that we don’t control, but I think our ability to be connected, to be courageous, to handle the storms when they do come up and be inside out more than ever before is going to be really important. But we’re not going to allow the outside expectations to change the way that we approach every day with the way that we work, the way that we enjoy it, have the appropriate mindset and energy. And that’s something that I think is really important for us to represent and I think that’s more felt than anything else. And so that’s what we’re going to do, but none of those things mean anything. They don’t win games, and how can we be present, stack days, and enjoy the opportunity to come together as a team? We’re not going to let external expectations inhibit our ability to go swing and be courageous.”

(On if he expects discipline for Nacua from the league office)
“So we’ve had great communication with the league. What happens is the legal process wraps itself up, then thereafter, the league does their investigation. What I don’t want to do is put the cart before the horse so that’s got to take place. Then the people at the league have been great with their communication and collaboration with myself and other people that have been involved. But those things need to take place with the legal system first. Then that offers the opportunity for the league to come in and do their independent investigation and make decisions accordingly.”

(On conversations with WR Davante Adams amidst trade speculations during the offseason)
“He’s a total ‘G’. Here’s the thing I would say too. Things get thrown out there, and it didn’t get far enough. But I think you want to acknowledge, ‘Hey, this is out there. Let’s talk about it.’ The reason we didn’t is because we didn’t think it was best for our football team. You guys know a lot of hard decisions we’ve had to make over the years that affect personal relationships that are built, but we do have a responsibility to make decisions that are best for the football team. This guy is a pillar for our football team. He’s a key leader and critical factor. He is a total stud. He’s a future gold jacket guy. I cherish the relationship that I have with all our players, but especially getting to know him, where he’s at in his life. He’s got a beautiful family. They just welcomed another baby recently and he was awesome. He was a total stud, but I think he was able to understand the reality of it. Let’s acknowledge it, but most importantly, let’s also make sure that we don’t misunderstand the fact that you’re here because you’re going to be a focal point of our offense. And he was last year. I think we can even build on it and he’s the kind of guy that just models the way. I love everything he’s about. He was great.”

(On QB Matthew Stafford’s health and plan for training camp)
“Matthew’s healthy. What, do you know something that I don’t know (laughter)? So he’s feeling good and I’m sure your next question will be, what’s the plan? What we did learn last year that I think…How can we make sure that going into this year, he’s accumulated so much experience, ultimately, really for our team, and especially somebody going into year 18, mentally, physically, emotionally, how can we be as fresh and ready to go when we start in Australia? What we’ll do with him, we operate in those four-day blocks, as you know. He’ll take part in days two and day four so he’ll be off on days one and three. He’ll be doing his own independent stuff where he’s taking care of his body. Those are two out of the three days that we actually practice. That third day represents more of an above-the-neck approach. And so tomorrow when we practice… he is feeling good. He will not practice tomorrow. That has been part of the plan. Be able to keep him on a pitch count and do some of the things that, hey, whether it was a weird way or not, we learned a lot about how to try to be able to maximize him. And there’ll be some other players that are in similar scenarios that have accumulated a lot of that experience that we will be mindful of. How do we peak at the right time but understand the necessary callous that we need to get to be able to be prepared to play real live football?”

(On the plan for the backup quarterbacks during training camp)
“Yeah, it’s really important. We talked about that yesterday as a coaching staff. It was really early for a lot of the rookies, Ty [Simpson] especially. Stetson [Bennett IV] did a nice job. I thought he did a really good job with the opportunities he was afforded in the spring. I loved what Dan Campbell said, he used to call it the pajama party in the spring. So until we put the pads on, I think we’re going to be careful getting too ahead of ourselves with some of the evaluations, but to answer your question as it relates to the backup quarterback spot, it’s going to be a very important thing. I’m hopeful that our guy is fresh, ready to go, and doesn’t have to miss any time but if he does, we need to figure out who that person is that’s going to step up and lead the team if that’s what’s necessary.”

(On if anyone will begin training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform [PUP] list)
“I haven’t gotten that yet. As our players come in, there might be some guys. I’ll have that information for you when we reconnect on that.”

(On the theme for the team entering training camp this year)
“It’s really the same theme that we’ve talked about. It’s about a ‘we, then me’ approach. We want to be present, grateful, and courageous. But I want guys to be authentically themselves while living our values with an atmosphere environment that you feel a sense of urgency but also a sense of enjoyment. And that’s been consistent with what we’ve really been about. I really look at it as, and you mentioned it, but we’re setting foundations and that’s really important to set good, sound foundations. I think that was started in the offseason program. How do we come together as a team and then ultimately be ready to go and handle whatever those storms are that are inevitable in the midst of this journey? But I want guys to be able to feel like they’re getting better as a result of the people that they’re around, whether that’s their teammates, their coaches, and that’s both as a person and as a player.”

(On the importance of Donald’s potential return happening at the start of the season as opposed to mid-season)
“Well, here’s what I would tell you. I think what the theme is, and that’s the most helpful way for me to just stay in the moment, is let’s take it a day at a time. Look, I’m not going to put any sort of parameters on something that I don’t have enough information to really be able to gauge that. If Aaron Donald decides he wants to be a part of it, I do think that he’s going to impact and influence positive change. I don’t think, I know he would. But I also know that what he does, he’s all in so I’m not going to say a yes or no, but the process that we would take place is that, hey, he’s going to go through what he’s going through right now. We’ll see how his body’s responding to some of the training and the way that he puts himself through the bases to know what it looks and feels like to be ready to take on what the rigors of an NFL season entail. And if he’s feeling good about that, then we’ll move forward and what those dates are, I’ll share with you guys when I have more information.”

(On if there is a sense of urgency for Stafford to win another Super Bowl heading into his 18th season)
“Yeah, I think what I would say is the most important thing is let’s continue to get better every single day. The things that we control are how we show up every single day and live our values. What happens down the line and in the season, those are so out of our control right now and I think everybody wants to talk about that. Yeah, are we acknowledging the fact that we’re very fortunate to have a quarterback like him leading the way? 100%. But what I won’t allow us to do is say that this season is going to be determined successful or failure by whether or not we win a Super Bowl. That’s not what I believe. I’m not living that way. I’ve gotten caught up in things like that before and those are things that are way beyond our control. But what we do control is how we show up, how we build and develop relationships, and how we really focus on the things that we can control and that’s being our best every single day as people, as a team, as teammates, as coaches, and that’s what we’re going to do. But I feel really grateful to have Matthew. I know that and you want to maximize that, but that’s not exclusive to him. I could go on and on about the love and appreciation I have for the coaches and the players that are on this team. I’m excited to build this thing the right way and then we’ll see what the hell happens after that.)

(On RB Blake Corum’s offseason workouts and expectations this season“I love Blake. I don’t think he needs to do anything other than be himself. I thought what I learned about Blake his rookie year is that he did a great job with the things that he can control, but what I never felt from him was anything other than steady. He had some adversity, some unfortunate injuries, and he still did some really good things but the consistency and the internal security and fortitude that he had, I don’t think it’s by mistake that he comes in and has an amazing year last year. The way that he approaches it, I’d be surprised if he doesn’t do anything other than get better and impact the team in a positive way. I love the human being. I love everything he’s about. I think he’s got incredible leadership capacity. I did see a couple of those videos and they look cool as [expletive]. It’s impressive. I want to see him make people miss like that in the hole like he’s done. He’s a stud and he’s going to be a big factor in what we’re going to do this year. I love everything he’s about.”

(On whether this defense can be one of the all-time greats with the acquisition of Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie in addition to the possibility of Aaron Donald returning)
“I think you earn it every single day. I think we’ve got the possibility when you look at things on paper. You can project based on what individuals have done that you can get excited about, but that’s not how this game is played. This game is played 11 as one. We’ve got to be able to come together as a team. We’ve got to come together as a unit, figure out what our identity is with how we put all three levels together, how guys understand the rapport that’s necessary to rush together and play coverage together. I’m certainly excited about those individual pieces, no doubt about it, but we’ve got to come together as a team. I have too much respect for the history of the game to say anything like that. Those are things for you guys to be able to decide after the ball is put out there and we’re actually playing. Up until then, it’s all talk and that’s never won us or done us anything other than things that people go back and say, ‘What a [expletive] this guy was for saying stuff like that.’ We’re excited about the opportunity to work with special people that have been special players, but how do we come together as a team? That’s what I’m most interested in.”

(On whether he ever thought Donald would unretire when he initially retired)
“To be honest, I didn’t because the relationship that I have with him. When he let me in… you talk about a guy that did this for 10 years and gave every ounce of his soul to this game, who’s also a committed husband, father, son. He’s got so much range and so much depth and when he sat down with me and he said, ‘I’m full, I’m complete,’ he meant it and I believed him. I think out of respect for him, you don’t revisit those things. Honestly, how that conversation unfolded is because he’s a close friend of mine. When we were going through the possibility of acquiring Myles, I asked him what his thoughts and opinions were, just from no different than the way I talk to [Former Rams Offensive Lineman Andrew] Whitworth or keep in touch with [Former Rams Safety] Eric Weddle or former players of ours that I think have great perspective on how we operate and what does it look like. I think it’s helpful when you value people’s opinions. That’s really what stimulated the conversation of the possibility, but this is his decision. He’s earned the right to be able to do it on his terms and that’s why I think you guys are seeing us take this approach. I did not ever really think this would be something, but I’m not going to sit here and act like I’m not excited about the possibility of it.”

(On whether he’s been in contact with 49ers’ HC Kyle Shanahan after his car accident)
“Yes, I have. Most importantly, thank God he and the other person involved is okay. Perspective is everything. We talk about that all the time as coaches and everybody goes through different things. I think the most important thing is that he’s on the road to recovery, his wife Mandy, and he’s got a beautiful family, and I think any time that something like that happens, it shakes you up a little bit. But most importantly, I have talked to him. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family, and I know he’s got an incredible perspective on it all. Kyle’s a stud. I have as much respect for him as anybody and he’s a friend of mine, and I love him and hope that he’s going to have a great recovery.”

(On what excites him the most for the start of training camp)
“Just building it up. I think when you guys hear me say it all the time… I can’t believe year 10. I feel really fortunate, humbled and blessed to be in this situation and I think grateful that you have a genuine excitement about it. I think a lot of the things that have taken place in my life, which I’ve shared with you guys, getting married and having two little boys changes your heart. And a lot of the things that I think make you a good parent at home are what make you a good coach in terms of the connection, the patience, most importantly building and developing relationships and modeling the way. But what I’m most excited about is this team coming together and continuing to build it back up. When you really say you started all over, what we did last year has nothing to do with what’s going to happen in training camp and moving forward. Now you can build on some of those positive experiences, but there’s so much time in between. How do we really have that rapport that’s important with some of the new pieces? How do we navigate the inevitable injuries or whatever those adversities are that we’re going to face? And how do we make sure that we stay connected and we’re courageous throughout that journey? I’m excited about seeing us live that more than anything we can say.”

(On what he learns during training camp that he couldn’t learn during OTAs)
“I think what you learn is the competitive stamina, the ability to consistently stack days, how we come together because we’re just naturally around each other more. As it relates to exclusively just football, putting the pads on is more similar. There still are some things, just based on how we approach it, that until you play real, live tackle football, it’s hard. But there is a lot more of applicable comparisons and translations when you put the pads on. Right now, the run-pass ratio is different. Just some of the etiquette that we want to operate with in terms of how we fit guys up, how we approach, how we take away the football, how we do all the fundamentals and techniques. You hit blocks with pads on in these games. Getting used to doing this, but also understanding that when we put the pads on, once we get through the five-day acclimation period, that’s where it’s really important. It’s not minimizing the five-day acclimation period, but it’s not exactly as translatable as when we have pads on and are doing those things.”

(On whether he gives himself time to reset)
“I do. It’s been good. Sometimes it’s almost like you have to trust the foundation of the work that you put in and know that balance is a word that I don’t know that I really understand, but prioritizing, I do. Let’s be present when you’re at home and when you’re with your family. Some of those things have made it a little bit easier. I think as you continue to mature just as a person in general…and by no means do I have it figured out. I’m making mistakes all the time, but you have a better idea of what is that internal compass that helps you guide being your best for the people that you love and care about in all areas of your life. I think there’s a healthier understanding of that. I’ve been surrounded by a lot of really special people that have helped with that, with family and close friends. I do allow myself for a little bit of a reset, but the good thing is I love what I do. I don’t feel like I’m working, but you do want to make sure that you’re giving yourself the chance to have the emotional and physical resets so that you can have the necessary stamina to be who you want to be for everybody you love and care about.”

(On whether they’ve begun conversations with players selected in the 2023 NFL Draft class about potential contract extensions)
“We’ve had a lot of internal dialogue and discussions and there’s been a lot of moving parts. The answer is, yeah, we’ll have those conversations. I’ve talked to those players about it. They’re obviously very important to us, the ones that you’re referring to as are the guys that are not in contract situations. I know that our group has had some conversations with agents. We still have to figure out some other things where there’s an order of things relative to just some moving parts of things that we’ve talked about already here to be able to figure out, alright, what does that look like? How do we plan for right now? How do we handle those things that are the most pressing as it relates to coming up right now that we might have to be dealing with? If Aaron comes back, what does that look like? There are a couple of moving parts, but the answer to your question is yes.”

(On the development of rookie QB Ty Simpson)
“I think it’s important and I think the important thing is really, let’s be understanding of the fact that when these rookies come in, whether it’s Ty or any of the guys, they are way behind the eight ball already. The information will be accelerated in terms of how we throw it at them now, but it’s really let’s just stack days. I think you want to create as many competitive situations, not exclusive to the quarterback, but for all of our players because I want us to get comfortable with what does productive failure look like. Where you push yourself past manageable expectations, you’re courageous enough to attempt some things, and sometimes those outcomes that don’t go down the way you want offer the best learning opportunities. Whether that’s Ty, whether that’s [Quarterback] Stetson [Bennett], Matthew, we want to try to create training camp in a manner that’s reflective of as competitive as possible for all of our players. The quarterback position is obviously an incredibly important position as the way that this game is played and you’ll see that reflected for all three of those guys. If Matthew gets a chance to be able to take some of those days off, I think that’s where you’ll really see them get more reps than they would otherwise and you’re going against where we want to try to create as many competitive situations so we’re good on good basically every period. That’s something that we’ve evolved to and I think that brings out the best in guys, and I think that gives you that good feeling about loving the competition, loving the mastery of your craft, and it matters because you’re improving with people that you care about and you want to do your job within the framework of your 1/11th.”

–RAMS–