(East Los Angeles, CA) [From The Editor’s Desk]: The Rams’ countdown continues day by day, accentuated by an optimistic team environment. Coach Sean McVay leads his team through essential yet critical practices that must be fully embraced by all 53 players as they prepare to travel to Australia for the team’s opening game against their Conference rival, the San Francisco 49ers.

This is another solo session with Coach McVay, covering topics like his backup QB plans, the progress of Aaron Donald’s full return to game-playing form, the injuries to Myles Garrett and Puka Nacua along with their recovery progressions, his views on the wide receiver and linebacker groups, the trip to Australia for the season opener, and other important team-related issues. These transcripts include all this valuable information and more. We appreciate our followers for choosing us as their trusted source of insights.

Rams Transcripts – Head Coach Sean McVay – 9/4/26, Friday

[Head Coach Sean McVay]

(On whether all players will travel to Australia)
“Yeah, that’s the plan.”

(On whether he’s made a decision on who the backup quarterback will be)
“I’ve already told you guys, we look at it as two guys. I’ll tell you when I decide who the actual two in the game will be. I’ve talked to the players about it, but that’s something that they’re both going to continue to train regardless of who it ends up being up and who is the emergency third. I look at it as both of those guys are going to play, but you saw, we listed [QB] Stetson [Bennett] as the two, [QB] Ty [Simpson] as the three. But I look at it as the two A, two B and we’ll see how we approach the game. Here’s the way that it’s different than previous years, and what I mean by that is, previously like when [Former Rams’ QB] Jimmy [Garoppolo] was the backup, he took all the reps with the look team. We’re going to make sure that both of those guys are going to continue to be developed. We feel good about both of those guys. Somebody has to be the backup on game day. Somebody has to be the emergency third. We’ll see which direction… I’ve talked to those guys about it and I don’t want to necessarily say that whatever we do in Week 1 is how it stays throughout the year, but our job is to develop both of those guys. Like I’ve told you, I feel really good about both of them.”

(On QB Ty Simpson’s develop since he joined the team)
“I think just reps. He’s so conscientious. I think you really saw his preparation and his comfort of doing the things that he’s coached to do, reading with his feet, getting through progressions. I thought that really showed up in the preseason. I think even just his overall huddle command has been tremendously improved. A lot of the things that you see as a son of a coach being around the game. And then you look at the work that [Associate Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach] Dave Ragone takes with all of those guys, obviously [QB] Matthew [Stafford], but with Stetson over the last handful of years, with Ty and even with [QB] Matthew Caldwell. We’re very lucky to have Dave Ragone doing an amazing job with our quarterbacks.”

(On how he expected QB Matthew Stafford to mentor Simpson)
“He’s as great of a teammate and leader, just the way that he is naturally, his ability to deal with people. I think the most important and powerful thing is seeing, just watch the way that he moves. And then he is also so willing to share and answer questions. I’ve seen Matthew be himself, but that’s what he has done whether it’s for Jimmy, for [Former Rams QB] Brett [Rypien], for [Former Rams QB] John Wolford. He is pouring into that room. I’ve really seen him put his arm around Stetson and obviously Ty has mentioned how much he has helped him. But we’re very lucky to have a guy that is an incredible football player, but more importantly, an incredible person with the way that he moves in a day in, day out basis. I think seeing is better than anything you could say. Watch the way he moves and the way that he goes about it, even doing some different things and walk through settings. This guy is really, really special and these guys, I think they know how fortunate they are to see what it looks like from the best.”

(On ‘toughness and courage’ being themes addressed for the team this year)
“I think they’re timeless. Toughness travels any part of the year, all parts. That’s in life and in sports. And courage is an embodiment of that too. Being courageous enough to put yourself out there. I think it takes courage for any NFL player to do what they do. Most people’s biggest insecurities are fear of failure, fear of judgment. What we want to be is a group that’s courageous enough to say, ‘What a blessing it is to go compete. Let’s do it to the best of our ability. And no matter what, let’s have no regrets with the things that we do control.’ That’s what we’re looking for. I thought that was on display in a lot of instances last year. Every single year is a new year, but that’s going to be a calling card for us if we’re going to do some things that we want to do.”

(On the growth of QB Stetson Bennett IV)
“You just answered it with the question. He’s come a long way. I think when you see and feel the way that his teammates root for him, he’s a resilient guy. Look at his history. He’s a guy that there have been odds against him and he’s found a way to continue to stay inside out, trust himself and the people around him and not necessarily worry about, ‘Hey, let’s just go compete to the best of my ability.’ He’s a great competitor. He has a swag about himself and an easiness. I think when he gets out there he has fun. He’s present playing the game. I feel that way about really all of our quarterbacks, but it says that this is a guy that tough times don’t last, tough people do. And that is what he has consistently shown throughout his life and his career.”

(On the ramp-up process for DE Aaron Donald)
“I don’t have that sense quite yet. I think it’s been really good. He’s so intentional about his rhythm and routine that a lot of these veteran guys, like you’ve heard me talk about, they’ve earned right where it’s truly a collaboration. Obviously, one of the best things you can do is get out there and play football and 11-on-11 settings with pads, your eye progression, taking on some of the double teams, different things like that. This week will be a big week for him in terms of how he feels. Then we’ll take it a day at a time and see where he’s at. If he feels good enough to go, great. If not, I have a lot of confidence in the other guys that’ll be ready to step up if that’s the case, that have really gotten all the reps anyways.”

(On the logic behind the travel plans to Australia)
“Everything is geared towards what we think is best for the players based on…that’s what will guide every decision as long as I’m fortunate enough to be the head coach. We felt like staying in our rhythm and routine and then traveling when we do, which I’ll go over with the players this afternoon. But the thinking in its simplest form is, what do we deem the best for our football players and for them to try to be at their best? There are different approaches and theories. But I do have a lot of trust in our group and we’ll see. Hopefully it works out. I know that we’ve got a bunch of guys that I think will feel good about the plan. Then ultimately, it’s let’s go play to the best of our ability in that three-and-a-half-hour window we’re allotted.”

(On how he’s seen OLB Myles Garrett acclimate without practicing and getting used to the team)
“I think what’s been great is he’s been a great teammate. I think what you can appreciate, the times that he has practiced, he’s been incredibly impactful and everything has been geared towards let’s get him as fresh as possible going into the season. He’s played a lot of football. You’re not minimizing the importance of practice, but that was the priority for us. But seeing him mentor his teammates, seeing him out there cheering them on, watching him do some different things. I’ve been really appreciative of the way that he is naturally endeared himself to his teammates. I think it’s a cool thing that he was voted a captain is his first year. It shows the impact that he has and that he’s really earned a lot of respect. Not exclusive to his production, but more importantly, how he moves in the building day in and day out and how he’s been a really good teammate.”

(On the status of WR Puka Nacua)
“He is doing good. He’s making good progress. The good news is all of our guys are making really good progress. He’s feeling good, been hitting some high speed yards at a really good clip with [Senior Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance] Reggie [Scott] and his group. When we get back out there, it’ll be fun to have him.”

(On approaching the unorthodox schedule for an international game as a leader)
“I think you acknowledge, ‘Here are the things that we’re going to do and then here are the things that we’re not going to waste emotional, mental and physical energy on.’ We don’t control where we play. That was a decision that was above something we could control. Our players, I would hope that they all feel this way, is everything we do is with them in mind and what’s in their best interest. Let’s follow those protocols and the things that we would ask to make it as smooth of a trip as possible. Let’s try to do everything in our power with [Chief of Staff] Carter [Crutchfield] and the rest of our group. All the many people that are behind the scenes do an amazing job of facilitating a smooth travel plan that hopefully will go that way of letting [there] be as much focus and concentration on traveling as safely and as smartly as possible. Let’s get there and then let’s go play the best of our ability when the time comes to kick off. I think what we try to do is focus on the things we can control and then just abide by clear parameters that guys can follow so that it’s seamless and then they feel as fresh as possible. [It’s] easier said than done, but when you have the right people, it’s served us well over the years.”

(On whether he’s been to Australia before)
“I have not. I’ve heard great things about it.”

(On WR Tutu Atwell rejoining the team and reacclimating to the receiver room)
“Yeah, he’s been great. He’s very familiar and comfortable with the settings. We’ve got some good depth at that room. We’ll see. I think he’s just getting familiar there. It’s still probably too early, but we know some of the things that he can do. He’s familiar with the coaches in there and we’ve tweaked and adjusted some things, but it’s for the most part very familiar for him in terms of the terminology. Just being a great teammate and we’ll see what that role looks like. Players have an ability to be able to carve out roles. Obviously, we feel good about the guys that we’ve had, and we’ll see how that unfolds as the season does.”

(On the depth of the wide receiver room)
“I feel good. Obviously, I got a lot of confidence in all those guys, but with Davante [Adams] doing an amazing job leading the way. Obviously, Puka has been incredible going into his fourth year. And then I got a ton of trust in Jordan Whittington and Konata Mumpfield. Those guys have had really good, strong camps where they’ve just continued to improve their game. I think Xavier Smith has had a really good camp and then CJ Daniels, like I’ve mentioned to you guys, is a mature rookie. I think they all have complementary skill sets. Each of those guys brings some different, unique things to the table. But it starts with ‘Tae’ [Adams] and Puka, and then I think those other guys around them do an amazing job. I got a lot of confidence in those seven guys.”

(On the linebacker room, especially ILBs Nate Landman and Omar Speights, and whether he sees a ‘confident and fiery’ attitude from the roster)
“The first thing is I feel really good about that inside linebacker group. ‘G-Money’ [Inside Linebackers Coach Greg Williams] does a great job coaching those guys up. Landman is outstanding. I think he’s had a really good camp. He’s got great ownership, communication abilities. And same thing, Omar does an amazing job with that as well. His knockback tackles, his ability to be able to be productive in both phases. Both those guys are studs. And then I think [Inside Linebacker] Shaun Dolac has had an outstanding camp. He can play either inside backer spot. [He’s] got good range, good understanding. And then adding [Inside Linebacker] Grant Stuard to the mix has been really powerful. He’s obviously a special team stud, but he’s also been really productive when he’s played that. So I feel really good about those four guys. Then I think the best part about this team is, I mentioned to you guys the other day, we got great player leadership. I just want to do my part, be authentically myself. I want to try to make sure I bring the right kind of energy and vibe every day and try to be able to help us solve problems, and most importantly, continue to develop and build meaningful relationships in the midst of this journey. But the way that we play will be a reflection of the swag and the confidence that’s earned from our group and their ability to go be courageous when they go compete and that’s because of the strength of the collective in the locker room. I’m proud to be a small part of it.”

(On processing the potential storylines about travel plans following the outcome of the game in Australia)
“What’s really guided a lot of our decisions…I think you’re exactly right. I think it will be circumstantial based on what happens. What I think is the most important thing is we make decisions that we feel like are [in] the player’s best interest and that’ll guide every approach. I understand the narratives and hey, when we do good, it’s nice things. And when we do bad, you’re criticizing me in your column in the [LA] Times. I get it. I understand. I think that’s just part of the nature, but what you have to do is be able to separate the actual result for what is actually sound in terms of your process. I’m comfortable with that. That’s the world that we live in. My job is to make sure that we’re making good decisions with the best thing in mind for those players and then you hope that we play to the best of our ability in that window and come away with the result that we’re hunting up. [I’m] very aware of that and that’s the price of doing business.”

(On whether this roster is the ‘best he’s had entering a season’ since he’s been with the Rams)
“Here’s what I would tell you. I’ve been very, very fortunate to work with a ton of special players, and you know as well as anybody that it gets down to how do we come together as a team. But it’s hard to say top to bottom that the collection of individuals is not very special. [Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Coach] John Wooden once said, ‘Comparison is the thief of joy,’ so we’ll stay away from that. But what I will say is I know how grateful I am to work with the caliber, the character, the competitiveness, the way that these guys play. And then ultimately, it’s our job to continue to come together as a team. That’s an ongoing thing. Regardless of what happens in Week 1, Week 2 will come zo we want to stack days and hopefully continue to improve throughout this journey as a team. But I will say this, I sure feel really grateful and fortunate to be able to coach the collection of people and work with this coaching staff. It’s a special group and I’m very grateful.”

–RAMS–