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Detailed Summary: Believe in Rams Podcast – Training Camp Update (with Nate Atkins)Hosts Aaron Kascarella and Nate Atkins (The Athletic) record from the Rams’ Woodland Hills facility on roughly day 11 of practice / the start of formal training camp. The conversation is strongly optimistic about the defense while covering the Aaron Donald situation and the backup quarterback battle.
Defense Dominating Practice
The standout theme is how dominant the Rams defense has looked over the last several practices. They are generating turnovers consistently (examples cited: Myles Garrett intercepting a screen and returning it for a touchdown; interceptions by Cam Curl and Kamren “Cam” Kinchens).
The secondary in particular looks much stronger and more complete than last season.
With elite edge talent (Myles Garrett) and corner talent (Trent McDuffie) drawing heavy attention, supporting pieces such as Quinton Lake, Cam Curl, Kamren Kinchens, and Emmanuel Forbes can play more freely in their strengths rather than being isolated or forced into mismatched roles.
Communication has been surprisingly smooth despite new pieces, helped by the return of veteran safeties (Lake and Curl) and the existing chemistry between McDuffie and Jaylen Watson (both from Kansas City).
Sean McVay said he is not frustrated by the offense struggling against this defense; he views it as a positive sign of the defense’s quality.
The hosts describe the unit as having a high floor after last year and now showing a significantly higher ceiling. The addition of Garrett (and the possible return of Aaron Donald) creates an “Avengers”-like talent level that makes it much harder for offenses to find easy mismatches.
How Myles Garrett Changes the SchemeGarrett is expected to redefine the defensive front rather than simply adapt to Chris Shula’s existing scheme. Offenses will have to slide protection, double- or triple-team him, and chip him. This allows Shula to be more creative with stunts, twists, overload pressures, and moving Garrett (or others) around the line—including lining him up over the center at times. Supporting edge and interior players (Byron Young, Kobie Turner, Braden Fisk, etc.) remain strong enough that the defense does not collapse when stars are moved.
Aaron Donald Update McVay continues to say there is “nothing new” to report. Atkins’ realistic timeline if Donald returns is around the start of the regular season (after the preseason and joint practices). Donald has been working out (including sessions with Rams staff and his own trainers).
The longer the possibility remains open and he continues training, the more likely a return appears.
Chemistry and communication would require some adjustment (especially with Garrett and the younger defensive linemen), but the hosts believe the pure talent level is high enough that the floor remains excellent even before full cohesion is reached. The bigger communication demands are in the secondary.
Backup Quarterback SituationStetson Bennett currently appears to be the clear QB2.
Rookie Ty Simpson is expected to get the bulk of the preseason snaps so he can gain live-game experience against real pass rushes.
The situation remains fluid. If Matthew Stafford suffered a significant injury, the hosts believe Jimmy Garoppolo (still unsigned and not formally retired) would remain a realistic short-term option for the Rams because of his familiarity with the system—provided another contender does not sign him first.
Broader Outlook
The offense is largely intact from a unit that ranked No. 1 in scoring last season, so the defensive improvement is viewed as particularly encouraging. Preseason games and joint practices (including with the Cowboys) will be used mainly for evaluation of depth and young players rather than starters. The season opener is September 10 in Melbourne against the 49ers.Overall tone: High optimism about the defense’s potential ceiling, cautious but positive signals on Aaron Donald, and a pragmatic view of the backup quarterback depth.
