5 reasons why Rams HC Sean McVay smiles as Week 2 of 2024 training camp ends

What's ahead for the LA Rams next?

Much like the ending of OTAs and mandatory mini-camp, the end of Rams Training Camp is merely the transition to a new phase of of off-season program. Well, transitioning to the preseason program is more appropriate. Now is the time when the coaches engage in the mixing and matching of players through a series of joint practices, scrimmages, training sessions, and even preseason games to establish the team's updated depth chart, and ultimately, the 53-man initial active roster.

Joint Practice Schedule

The team has been very aggressive in scheduling joint practices with nearby teams. They will be held on the following dates:

• Sunday, August 4 - @ Los Angeles Chargers
• Thursday, August 8 - @ Dallas Cowboys
• Wednesday, August 14 @ Los Angeles Chargers
• Thursday, August 22 - @ Houston Texans

While joint practices may not afford themselves to allow close fans scrutiny, the Rams use joint practices as the method of tuning up the starting players, and even to the point of determining the order of key rotational players as well. So they are vital to ensure that the 2024 NFL season gets underway without any glitches.

But joint practices have taken on a new order of importance this season, as the Rams will be working with various strategies and players to implement their solution to the new NFL kickoff rules. Here is a quick ESPN graphic on social media that summarizes the new rules:

And the Rams not only must adapt to the new kickoff, but must also strategize the kickoff return in this new format.

The 2024 Rams Preseason Schedule (all times PT)

Since this is an even year, NFC teams play just one preseason game at home and get nine regular season games at home. This is the Rams preseason schedule:

• Week 1, Aug. 11: Dallas Cowboys | 1:30 pm PT | NFL Network
• Week 2, Aug. 17: at Los Angeles Chargers | 4:05 pm PT
• Week 3, Aug. 24: at Houston Texans | 10:00 am PT

While there is nothing to gain from winning preseason games, fans love to win everything. The Rams have historically put up their best regular season campaigns after struggling in preseason. The reason for that is logical. While many teams will task projected starters with some preseason work, this team benches all starters. Even rookies whose performance indicates a starting or significant rotational role have been benched throughout preseason games.

Couple that fact with the coaches insistence on implementing a vanilla game plan, and it becomes rather obvious that the game is treated by coaches like an extension of training camp, and not as a true competition.

It's time to get excited. The LA Rams are moving on to preseason. And this year will be as thrilling as they come.

Thanks for reading.