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Tag: Los Angeles Rams

NFL Plans Midweek 49ers-Rams Game in Melbourne to Open 2026 Season

2/12/26

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The 2025 NFL season has officially closed, and attention has already shifted to the shape of the 2026 opener.

According to John Ourand of Puck, the NFL is preparing to stage a Week 1 matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia — and it may not land on a traditional Sunday.

Reports indicate the league is targeting either Wednesday, September 9, or Thursday, September 10 for the international showdown. That would make the contest one of the earliest regular-season kickoffs in league history and potentially the first official game of the 2026 campaign.

Midweek Spotlight for NFC West

The league is also mapping out a Week 1 home opener for the Seattle Seahawks, which could alternate between Wednesday and Thursday depending on final scheduling decisions.

NBC is expected to broadcast the Seahawks’ opener, while a yet-to-be-determined streaming platform would carry the 49ers-Rams matchup from Australia.

The arrangement underscores the NFL’s continued push into international markets while experimenting with broadcast windows beyond the traditional Sunday slate.

Travel Questions Remain

While the midweek concept adds global intrigue, it also introduces logistical challenges. Travel to Melbourne requires significant adjustment due to distance and time zone differences. A Sunday, September 6 kickoff would allow both teams additional recovery time before Week 2.

As it stands, however, league plans point toward a midweek opener — a bold move that would spotlight the NFC West rivalry on a global stage.

If finalized, the 49ers-Rams matchup would mark one of the most unconventional starts to an NFL season in modern history, blending international expansion with prime-time scheduling innovation.

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Matthew Stafford takes key step forward in Rams practice comeback

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford returned to full practice Tuesday, marking a key step in his recovery from a back injury that sidelined him through the opening month of training camp. It was his first time practicing in full since early June, and the 37-year-old signal-caller wasted little time showing flashes of his usual form. During team drills against the first-string defense, Stafford slid confidently in the pocket and delivered throws with his trademark velocity, including a perfectly timed strike to wide receiver Tutu Atwell in the end zone.

Head coach Sean McVay noted clear progress between Stafford’s practice debut on Monday and his second day back. Speaking with the Orange County Register’s Adam Grousbard, McVay said Stafford appeared more comfortable and was able to handle pressure situations with poise. “I thought it was a step in the right direction,” McVay explained. “We’re going to continue to hope he’s able to stack days and feel good. That’s what’s happened so far.”

McVay added that the veteran quarterback was forced to manipulate the pocket and attack all levels of the field, important steps in regaining rhythm after missing several weeks. The challenge for Stafford now is catching up with teammates who already have a month of camp behind them. While his spring reps were valuable, McVay emphasized the difference in speed and physicality once the pads are on.

“All the reps he got in the spring were helpful. It’s a different speed when the pads are on, a little more volume on both sides. I think he’s handled the last two days really well,” the coach said.

The Rams are taking a cautious approach with their signal-caller, managing every rep and monitoring how his back responds. Stafford’s workload has been closely tracked by the team’s sports medicine staff, with vice president of performance Reggie Scott checking in with him at the end of Tuesday’s session. It remains uncertain whether he will travel for the preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns, though McVay suggested the priority is to keep building steadily toward the regular season.

“I think he really trusted the fact that he felt good yesterday and that allowed him to be able to take a step in the right direction,” McVay said. “The smart thing is to take it a day at a time. Because the reality is we’re trying to get our hands on this and get him to feel as good as possible. Backs can be a volatile thing. This is definitely positive progress.”

The quarterback’s return gives L.A. stability heading into the season. At 37, Stafford’s durability may decide how far the Rams go in 2025 — and early signs point to his comeback moving in the right direction.

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Puka Nacua’s praise for Davante Adams’ will fire up LA Rams Fans

As the Los Angeles Rams ramp up for the 2025 season, wide receiver Puka Nacua is singing high praises for new addition Davante Adams — and Rams fans have every reason to be excited.

Adams, a three-time All-Pro and proven elite receiver, joined the Rams in the offseason on a two-year deal after the team released former star wideout Cooper Kupp. His arrival brings a fresh spark to a receiving corps that already includes rising star Nacua.

During training camp, Nacua was quick to show respect to Adams, stepping back to let the veteran lead drills and set the tone. “There is a respect for him to come in saying, ‘I don’t want to push you out of the way or take your spot… But it’s something that I have a huge amount of respect for his game,’” Nacua told the LA Times’s Gary Klein. He even joked about trying to watch Adams closely during drills, acknowledging the impact Adams’ skills bring to the whole team.

Adams’ resume speaks for itself. Over 11 NFL seasons, he has reached 1,000 receiving yards seven times, including six straight before joining Los Angeles. Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 215 pounds, Adams combines size, speed, and exceptional route-running ability. Rams receivers coach Eric Yarber called him a “future Hall of Famer” with “cat-quick” feet and “a great feel for the game.”

Quarterback Matthew Stafford, sidelined with a back issue during camp, called Adams a “seamless fit” in the offense. Backup Jimmy Garoppolo, who worked with Adams previously in Las Vegas, praised his “swagger” and confidence, further boosting the excitement around the new-look Rams passing game.

Nacua and other young receivers have already benefited from Adams’ experience and insights, especially in reading defenses and creating separation. Coach Sean McVay highlighted the “mutual respect” and “appropriate humility” between Adams and Nacua, calling it “special stuff” that sets a positive tone for the offense.

With Adams adding a new dimension to the passing game and Nacua continuing to rise, the Rams are positioning themselves as a strong Super Bowl contender—if Stafford can return to full health.

“This is looking pretty golden over here,” Adams said, capturing the growing optimism surrounding the Rams’ offense.

Rams fans should be fired up — the offense is ready to roar.

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This expert predicts Rams will draft QB of the future in 2026 NFL Draft

Rams Projected to Draft Quarterback of the Future With 2026 First-Round Pick

The Los Angeles Rams are chasing another deep playoff run in 2025. But their front office is already thinking long term—and the quarterback position may soon become the franchise’s top priority.

Veteran Matthew Stafford is still playing at a high level, but with his 38th birthday approaching during the 2026 season, Los Angeles is expected to explore future options under center. Thanks to a 2025 Draft Day trade with the Atlanta Falcons, the Rams will hold two first-round picks in 2026—ammo that could help them secure a long-term successor.

Eye on the Future

According to Jacob Infante of PFSN, the Rams are projected to use the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to select a quarterback with elite physical traits and upside. Infante points to the need for the Rams to get ahead of the inevitable and give head coach Sean McVay a developmental project who can grow behind Stafford or take the reins sooner if needed.

“Matthew Stafford is still playing at a high level, but he’s 37 years old,” Infante writes. “The Los Angeles Rams have two first-round picks in 2026, and it might be a good idea for them to invest in Stafford’s eventual successor.”

A Strong Match for McVay

The quarterback Infante identifies isn’t considered a unanimous QB1 in next year’s class, but his arm strength, mobility, and toughness have scouts buzzing. Known for being difficult to sack and more accurate than many give him credit for, the dual-threat passer could thrive in McVay’s offense with proper development.

“If there’s any head coach in the NFL who could refine his game,” Infante adds, “it’s Sean McVay.”

McVay’s track record with quarterbacks—from elevating Jared Goff to maximizing Stafford—makes Los Angeles an ideal landing spot for a raw but toolsy prospect.

Long-Term Strategy Without a Rebuild

If the Rams do use one of their first-round picks on a quarterback in 2026, it would signal a forward-thinking approach aimed at maintaining continuity and playoff contention, rather than entering a full rebuild.

With a competitive roster already in place, Los Angeles is in rare position: a contender with the flexibility to groom its next franchise quarterback without rushing the transition.

Should McVay get his hands on a high-ceiling talent, the Rams might manage what few NFL teams can—transitioning eras without losing ground.

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