4 offensive questions Rams must answer in camp and nobody is talking about

With the Los Angeles Rams 2025 training camp in full swing, it's time to do more than wax the chassis of this shiny, brand-new offense that we plan to drive off the lot. It's time to roll this high-performance muscle car into the garage and look under the hood. Is this offense firing on all cylinders? Is this engine tuned up?

It's a tough task. The team has yet to really get going. But even as the team ramps up its physicality, fans' curiosity is at its peak. After the preseason games begin, fans will begin to witness the status of players directly. But for now, it's camp reports, press conferences, and word of mouth.

Rams HC Sean McVay and WR Puka Nacus lay out the team's training camp approach and how the team would work when the pads go on.

So what questions need to be asked of this offense that nobody is talking about? Let's dive right in.

(4) - Who wins the Rams OL position battles?

There may be more positional battles along the offensive line. With Alaric Jackson fighting through another bout of blood clots, the team is staging a competition between veteran LT DJ Humphries and swing-tackle Warren McClendon Jr. And with the addition of veteran center Coleman Shelton, how does that impact Beaux Limmer's role?

The Rams are setting up competition as a courtesy. But you can reasonably expect the starting offensive line to be:

• LT - DJ Humphries (until Alaric Jackson returns) | Backup Warrne McClendon Jr.
• LG - Steve Avila | Backup Justin Dedich
• C - Coleman Shelton | Backup Beaux Limmer
• RG -Kevin Dotson | Backup Willie Lampkin
• RT - Rob Havenstein | Backup Dave Quessenberry

Yes, that places a number of very talented offensive linemen on the bubble. But it almost certainly means that the Rams roster will carry more offensive linemen this season.

(3) - Can the offense start the season hot?

The Rams seem to be paying special attention to the running game this season in training camp, and that aligns with an offense that wants to get off to a hot start. As long as this team can keep the ball on the ground, move the chains, and put points on the scoreboard, the offense will have time to realign for QB Matthew Stafford.

Even if Stafford is ready to go on Week 1, his timing with the offensive line and receivers will not be set.

And if the team senses a need to start backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 1, a sound running game makes an ideal strategy. The Rams will score points this season. But everyone knows that the Rams most effective offense requires strong running and play-action passing.

(2) - Can Rams find explosive burst among running backs?

Every running back quoted so far in 2025 knows that this offense wants more explosive plays and better ball security from the running backs. The team put the entire running back room on notice when it drafted Auburn's speedy powerhouse RB Jarquez Hunter.

In response, RB Kyren Williams admits to working on ball security and getting more burst on his runs. And RB Blake Corum dropped weight to be faster on his runs, an action that he attributes to getting faster in his runs as well.

Will it be enough? Absolutely. In almost any organization, the best way to improve something is to tell staff what it is that you are monitoring and provide them with timely feedback. Just by doing that, without any directions or instructions, people figure it out for themselves. And the Rams have let running backs know that they are interested in explosive plays out of the backfield.

What do the fans need to do? Grab your popcorn, because this is going to be good.

(1) - Are the Rams set at the quarterback position for 2025?

On paper, the Los Angeles Rams depth at the quarterback position is sound. The team has starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo as his backup. Behind them, the team has third-year quarterback Stetson Bennett, whose stock is skyrocketing in training camp this year. And you can throw in reserve quarterback Dresser Winn for good measure.

But with Stafford out with back soreness, the team's robust depth seems to be a bit too thin for comfort. Should anything happen to Jimmy Garoppolo, the team is suddenly facing Week 1 with QB Stetson Bennett as the starter.

Hmm.

If the Rams are as confident in Stafford's readiness as some suggest, then the team is still in very good shape. But if there is uncertainty about Stafford's ETA, or if anything befalls Jimmy Garoppolo, this could devolve into chaos quickly.

The Rams front office knows this better than I do, and I do not doubt that GM Les Snead has multiple quarterbacks queued up to contact if the need arises. In a worst-case scenario, the team could go with Stetson Bennett to start a game or two until reinforcements arrive. And there are those two Round 1 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft that could become quite important, too.

As always, thanks for reading.

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