LOS ANGELES – Amid contract negotiations with the Rams, running back Kyren Williams showed up to training camp on an electric scooter, sporting his signature grin and yelling "WHOSE HOUSE?!" to the group of media and team employees gathered around the podium.
That's just who Williams is – even while dealing with drawn out contract talks, his energy is infectious and his commitment to the team is steadfast. He never considered holding out of training camp for a new deal.
"For me, it's a lot bigger than the contract negotiations," Williams said. "For me, it's putting my feet on the ground and continuing to get better, continuing to keep being who I am... I'm trying to facilitate it to be the best that I can be. And so, for me, being here right now is a no-brainer."
Williams said there has been progress on his contract since conversations began between the team and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, earlier this offseason. He does anticipate a deal getting done, even if those talks extend into the regular season. Williams wants to play for the Rams and has been working hard to give Los Angeles an improved version of himself in 2025.
Head coach Sean McVay said the Rams plan to sit down with Rosenhaus on Wednesday to continue discussions on the potential extension. There has been a "good, healthy, collaborative approach" to those conversations, but they still have to "bridge a gap" between the two sides. Williams, however, feels that's irrelevant to whether he should be on the field for training camp.
"For me, there was no decision. I play football, that's what I do, that's what I love," Williams said. "At the end of the day, I do this not for the money, not for the fame or popularity, but to take care of my family. I got three sisters, I got a mom, I got a dad, I got ten nieces and nephews that I'm working hard for so that they can one day be able to say that they can go to college."
Williams has not taken this offseason for granted, hiring a chef to implement a healthier diet and ensure he's getting the "macros" that his body requires. He said that's made him feel "alive and vibrant," which was obvious by his jubilant tone.
On the field, ball security and explosiveness were two areas he aimed improve on, something he acknowledged at the end of last season. Williams fumbled five times in 2024, tying for second-most in the NFL among running backs, and his longest run was just 30 yards.
"I'm in the weight room after my workout, I'm doing an arm farm or doing something just to continue to strengthen the grip, strengthen my fingers, strengthen everything like that, because it goes a long way," Williams said.
To develop his long speed, Williams focused on getting his feet grounded to "explode off the cut" and squaring his shoulders so his momentum moves forward faster.
Despite his remarked upon shortcomings last year, Williams finished seventh in the NFL in rushing yards (1,299) and tied for fifth in touchdowns (14) while serving as a workhorse for L.A. with 316 carries (third in the NFL). The Rams are trying to find the monetary "sweet spot" that represents his production and what he means to the team as a person, McVay said, but Williams is determined to keep that situation separate from his work on the field.
"It's a blessing at the end of the day," Williams said. "I'm still playing football. I'm still a professional athlete. I'm still doing the things that as a kid I dreamt of doing. So negotiations, all that stuff, it's all going to work out... It's all part of a bigger plan that I have no control over."
