Of course, it’s not extraordinary that a player entering his 12th NFL season would take an actionable leadership role. Nonetheless, it’s played an important role already in Los Angeles’ preparation for the 2025 season.
“I think it’s been opening our entire offense,” Nacua said on how Adams’ willingness to share knowledge has benefitted the Rams’ whole unit. “Some of the route conversions, the things that he’s put on tape and giving confidence to our coaches to maybe see how it can fit our skill group and stuff like that so it’s been exciting to see. I think some of the vertical threat that we are going to be able to provide with him and the routes that he’s run and put on tape and exploring all those options for every other receiver as well.”
Getting in sync with his new quarterback has also been an ongoing process that he has naturally embraced. Adams and Stafford communicate often on the practice field, and even away from it, too – Stafford was texting Adams late in the week of May 19 as a continuation of that to better understand each other’s skillsets and tendencies.
Some things, though, are learned on the fly – like Stafford’s ability to manipulate coverage to throw the ball your way when you didn’t initially expect it based on that coverage look initially.
“He doesn’t care what that coverage says,” Adams said. “If they’re not playing that coverage right, you might still get the ball. So everybody at all times has got to make sure… it’s never just for the love of the game. I’m sure everybody’s heard of those routes where you’re kind of designed to clear out or maybe, based on a certain coverage, you’ll be eliminated. That isn’t how he rolls. You’ve got to be a dog to do that. You’ve got to have a lot of confidence in your arm, in who’s across from you, who you’re throwing the ball to, all of that.”
The Rams are no stranger to being a rejuvenating stop for veterans, especially under the culture established by McVay.
Adams is the latest to experience this, and both he and the team are that much better thanks to his recaptured joy.
“It’s just about ball,” Adams said. “There’s no other BS and we’ve got a really good quarterback in here. You’ve got a really good young team that shows a lot of promise and was obviously really close to being able to have a chance at the whole thing last year. So just knowing how hungry this team is and seeing the work they’re still putting in after having a year like last year—it just kind of confirms that I’m in the right place.”