Rams' 13-personnel packages won't take over the league for obvious reason

The Los Angeles Rams took the league by storm last season as head coach Sean McVay leaned into three-tight-end sets, known as 13-personnel, more than anyone thought viable at the NFL level.

That strategy produced a career year from Colby Parkinson, the leader of the group, as well as solid contributions from Davis Allen, a rookie Terrance Ferguson, and, when healthy, Tyler Higbee too. In this year's draft, the Rams doubled down on their newfound weaponry by adding Ohio State tight end Max Klare in the second round.

Naturally, then, after McVay's offense just led the league in points and yards, it's safe to say everyone will follow suit in 2026. Right? Quarterback Matthew Stafford pointed out the obvious reason that might not be the case.

"Yeah, you know, we're really lucky," he said on the Green Light podcast hosted by Chris Long, a former Rams defensive end. "People are like, 'Oh man, everybody's going to be in 13 next year because that's the way the league goes.' And I'm like, 'Well, they better have four guys that can all do everything.' And that's what we have."

Stafford is right. While no single member of the room stood out as a star, the Rams' depth at the position was nothing short of remarkable. Having four capable tight ends - and perhaps five this season, with Klare - is a luxury few teams can claim. For everyone else, good luck churning out success in multiple tight-end formations.

Few rosters have Rams' unique assembly of productive tight ends

Parkinson, who led the Rams with 408 receiving yards and 43 catches, ranked 29th in yardage among tight ends. Not exactly jaw-dropping production. For the Rams, though, it's all about how they use their tight ends according to each player's specific skill set. They can afford to do that with their enviable depth. 

Parkinson was most lethal in the red zone, and his eight receiving touchdowns not only tied for third among TEs, that figure sufficed for 11th in the league, regardless of position. 

Ferguson was the designated deep threat, a role he should only grow into further this season. Albeit on low volume, he averaged 21 yards per catch. His average depth of target clocked in at 18.6 yards, a promising indicator of his potential as a downfield threat. 

Higbee remained the room's jack-of-all-trades, handling heavy blocking duties, averaging 11.2 yards per catch, and posting the highest first-down rate among Rams tight ends when targeted. Even Allen, the roster's resident "blocking tight end," quietly outperformed his career production across two prior seasons by a comfortable margin. In 2026, Klare will have a chance to peddle his wares as well. 

The Rams dealt with a healthy dose of receiver injuries last season, most significantly to Davante Adams down the stretch but also to Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell, whose final season in L.A. never really got off the ground. That made turning to tight ends a natural, if uncanny pivot, despite the fact that, per Stafford, the Rams did not dabble in 13-personnel at all in training camp. 

"We're so lucky in the room. You know, people talk about it as just the X's on the field, but these guys are really talented players that can block at the point of attack. They can catch the ball, intermediate, down the field, the whole thing. They're smart enough to go learn all these positions and do all these things, and that takes a lot."

31 other teams might wish they could copy McVay's discovery, but only a handful have the personnel to do so effectively. What's the saying? Often imitated, never duplicated.

No doubt the Rams have introduced a new way of understanding NFL offense, but don't expect a full-blown takeover anytime soon. 

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