LA Rams reunite with this veteran just in time for the 2025 NFL Playoffs

Am I worrying for nothing? Perhaps. But I've been both consistent and objective in my position that the LA Rams have needed to vary the size and style of running backs on the roster. Through the regular season, the team had loaded up on four running backs who I viewed as virtual clones of one another. While that may facilitate the team's ability to mix and match rushers in the offense, it significantly limits the ability of the offense to change pace.

Physical defenses had nothing to fear about the Rams ' offense, as the team simply did not have a power back option who could run for the tough yards, punish defenders, and get stronger as the game wore on. You see, despite RB Kyren Williams's sensational 2024 season, the Rams offense clocked in as only the 24th-ranked rushing offense. The team averaged just 103.8 yards per game, and 15 rushing touchdowns on the season. Kyren Williams accounted for 81.2 yards per game, and 14 rushing touchdowns.

It seems that homogeny comes with a downside as well.

It's not that I hated the idea of having interchangeable parts to the offense. But in a long 17-game season, I place value in having different gears for different game conditions. While Kyren Williams is perfectly suited for sunny skies and pleasant temperatures, I advocated having an option of running a bowling ball type of running back for rainy days, and frigid temperatures.

Well, the Rams front office came through. Better late than never I suppose. After the team lost rookie running back Blake Corum to injury, the team experienced a huge chasm in experience and production. Thankfully, that was quickly remedied by the team signing fomer veteran running back Royce Freeman. Last season, Freeman rushed 77 times for 319 yards and two touchdowns on just 207 offensive snaps. Now, he's back:

The team quickly pivoted from signing Freeman to the practice squad to promoting him to play in the Wild Card Round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs.

I love this move. When facing the Rams all season, any defense that prepared to defend RB Kyren Williams was automatically prepared to stop rookie RB Blake Corum, veteran RB Ronnie Rivers, and even rookie RB Cody Schrader. By adding veteran RB Royce Freeman, the Rams add a new dimension to their ground assault, and in doing so, to the offense.

The Rams toggled from Williams to Freeman effectively in 2023. Unfortunately, the team missed a golden opportunity to toggle from Williams to Freeman and back again when Williams returned to the active roster. Is this an opportunity to correct that flawed strategy?

I think so. The Rams acted with lightning speed to re-sign Freeman to the practice squad, and then to activate him for this week's game. I love the added dimensions that he brings to this offense. Will it pan out? Stand by.

And thanks for reading.

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