LOS ANGELES – Before the Rams drafted rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, head coach Sean McVay called the veteran who would be mentoring him, Tyler Higbee.
Higbee said that was "a testament" to McVay, because he didn't have to give that heads up, but did so out of respect. The veteran said he would mentor Ferguson as best he could. Shortly after that, he got the rookie's phone number and reached out to him over text.
"(I) let him know if he needed anything from me, (I'd be) here for him," Higbee recalled.
Ahead of his 10th NFL season, all with the Rams, Higbee is grateful to be healthy during training camp, which wasn't the case last season. He's committed to mentoring Ferguson, along with the rest of the team's deep tight end room, during Rams Training Camp presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union.
In the meeting room, Ferguson has been willing to learn and "receptive to a lot of things," Higbee said. Earlier this offseason, Fergusons said that Higbee's mentorship has helped him digest the offense quickly, and the longtime Ram has been eager to share his knowledge. Higbee has been impressed with the rookie during the offseason.
"He's showing some flashes of really good stuff," Higbee said. "He's gonna be a great ball player and getting him out here and doing it day in and day out. So it's been special to have him and (he's) a great dude and we're excited to have him."
Higbee himself "feels great" heading into the 2025 season, he said, after all of last offseason and much of the regular season was spent recovering from a torn ACL and MCL that he suffered in the 2023 wildcard round.
Once he returned in Week 16, Higbee provided a spark to the offense, scoring three touchdowns in five games (including playoffs). He totaled 12 catches for 112 yards and a touchdown in two postseason games, leading the team in receptions and ranking second in yards and targets (15).
The 32-year-old looks as good as he feels during camp. Earlier this week, he hauled in a short touchdown catch over his head, with a defender draped over his back. It was somewhat reminiscent to his playoff score against the Eagles.
"It always gives you a different perspective when you're out there and being able to do what you love," Higbee said. "... You can't replicate playing football. So getting out here, it's always shaking off some rust and stuff, getting back into playing shape and (working on) techniques."
Last year, Higbee didn't have the opportunity to shake off rust or work on his technique with the team in a training camp setting. As soon as he was ready to return, he was on the field. Despite getting thrown back into the fire after being out of action for nearly a year, Higbee was more than ready for competitive football.
"Playing football, you got to be a little bit of a sicko," Higbee said ahead of his return against the Jets in Week 16. "I'm wired the right way. And that way, it's where I'm not necessarily thinking about (the injury). You anticipate, you die. With injuries, you think about injuries, you're more susceptible to getting injuries, so it's out the window. I'm going."
And go he did, as Higbee's lone catch against the Jets was a fearless 11-yard touchdown that he capped off by leaping over a tackler into the end zone. Given the nature of his injury, going airborne really confirmed his "sicko" status.
Higbee is happy to have time to ramp up with a deep tight end unit, one that McVay said could help the offense "mix personnels" this season after they ranked bottom-10 in the NFL in both 12 and 13 personnel usage in 2024.
"This is probably the deepest room I've been a part of since I've been here," Higbee said. "A lot of guys can play top to bottom. So just trying to be a leader and mentor for those guys... I've seen a lot of ball, played a lot of snaps, so (I) try to pass on all the knowledge I can and keep competing with those guys."
