LOS ANGELES – Day 9 of Rams Training Camp presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union was the loudest yet. Saturday brought a raucous crowd that saw a physical defensive performance, a few highlights from wide receiver Davante Adams and a surprise appearance from Rams legend Aaron Donald.
Afterward, head coach Sean McVay and tight end Tyler Higbee spoke with local media about training camp standouts, the impact of L.A.'s tight end depth and more. Here are the most significant quotes and talking points from those press conferences.
"(Tight end depth) gives us the ability to mix personnels. And ultimately, it's how do we bring it to life? What does that really look like? But I feel like we've got a really deep tight end room. (Tight end coach) Scooter (Scott) Huff has done an excellent job. Tyler Higbee leading the way. I think Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen have been outstanding, and I've really been pleased with Terrance Ferguson... That gives us a real chance to be versatile." - McVay
Earlier this offseason, McVay said he wanted a more versatile offense in 2025, and the team's tight end depth could play a key role in that evolution. The Rams ran 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end) 81.25% of the time last season, ranking second in the NFL according to SumerSports data. They ranked bottom-10 in the NFL in both 12 and 13 personnel usage. This season, that could change.
Although Ferguson didn't practice on Saturday after feeling something in his groin (McVay said they "don't know" how long he'll be out), McVay feels their unit is deep enough to mix personnels effectively. All four have made some nice grabs throughout training camp.
"You see (wide receiver Konata Mumpfield) making a lot of plays. He's a mature rookie. He's a guy that is wired to be able to separate. I think he's catching the football really well, and he's really smart and conscientious. He's moving around, can do a lot of different things... He continues to be able to just answer the bell with the opportunities that he's gotten." - McVay
The seventh-round rookie out of Pittsburgh has "shined" during training camp, McVay said. His separation skills have been on display and he's caught tough passes both low to the ground and above his head.
Outside linebacker Keir Thomas is another young player who's impressed McVay ahead of his fourth NFL season, all with the Rams. On Saturday, he made a "great play" by meeting Allen on a short route exactly when the ball got to him, forcing an incompletion. But his playmaking is "not exclusive to coverage," McVay said.
"I think he really makes his presence felt on some of the early downs... He's a ram through and through, really like what he's doing."
"Having a healthy offseason was really good. I feel great." - Higbee
After tearing his ACL and MCL in the 2023 wildcard round, all of Higbee's 2024 offseason and much of the regular season was dedicated to his rehab. Once he returned in Week 16, he provided a jolt to the offense, scoring three times in five games (including playoffs). This year, he comes in with a full bill of health.
Higbee said "you can't replicate playing football," so there's always a bit of rust to shake off and technique to reform during training camp, and that's something he didn't get ahead of last season. Being out there this year after all he went through to get back on the field has given him "a different perspective."
"This is probably the deepest room I've been a part of since I've been here. A lot of guys can play top to bottom... I've seen a lot of ball, played a lot of snaps, so (I) try to pass on all the knowledge I can." - Higbee
Higbee said Ferguson is "showing some flashes of really good stuff" throughout training camp. In the meeting room, the rookie "is willing, wants to learn (and is) receptive to a lot of things."
Before the Rams selected Ferguson in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, McVay called Higbee to let him know, which Higbee described as a "testament to" McVay's character. "I just told him I'd mentor the kid, do the best I can and go compete." Higbee later texted Ferguson to introduce himself and let the rookie know he was there for him if Ferguson needed anything.
