In his words, Rams safety Kam Curl "put the league on notice" in 2025.
He ranked second among all defensive backs in tackles with a career-high 122 and caught three interceptions (including playoffs). In the divisional round, Curl made possibly the biggest play of the Rams' season with a diving pick of Bears quarterback Caleb Williams in overtime, setting up the game-winning drive for Los Angeles.
Now, he faces free agency following a career year. But after the personal and team success Curl enjoyed over the past two seasons, he hopes to remain in L.A.
"I would love to be back here," Curl said on Monday. "This is a great organization, a winning organization. I would love to be back for sure."
Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula moved Curl around the formation frequently, creating varied play opportunities for the versatile defensive back. The majority of his snaps came at free safety (58.6%), but his physicality and nose for the football served Curl well in the box (26.3%) and his coverage skills were on display in the slot (10.3%), according to Pro Football Focus.
Before Curl signed with the Rams ahead of the 2024 season, head coach Sean McVay pitched him on diversifying his deployment and how that could accentuate his playmaking ability. McVay even sent Curl videos of his play in Washington to illustrate the point. Two years later, that vision has not only materialized, but has turned Curl into one of the most productive safeties in the NFL.
Curl is PFF's highest-graded safety in run defense for 2025 (minimum 500 total snaps) at 87.9. His 32 defensive stops (a tackle constituting an unsuccessful play for the offense) tied for fifth among all safeties in the regular season, and he added in two sacks for good measure.
"I got to make plays to help my team win games," Curl said. "Just being a productive part of the team, just helping the team win, that's it. That's all I wanted to do. And I feel like I did that, and that's what I'm proud of."
He did that with teammates who genuinely root for each other on and off the field, which made Sunday's NFC Championship Game defeat in Seattle that much more crushing for Curl.
He doesn't know what the offseason will bring, but regardless of whether or not he returns to the Rams, Curl won't take for granted the personal growth and collective success that came to fruition in L.A.
"Winning 12 games in a regular season, that's the most games I ever won," Curl said. "This is the farthest I've ever been in a postseason. So just reflecting on the good memories that we created."
