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The Los Angeles Rams made a major change to their wide receiver core this offseason, swapping out one of the most important pass-catchers in franchise history in Cooper Kupp for Davante Adams. With Kupp’s production tapering but his contract still high, L.A. felt it was time for a change, with Adams a little more firmly playing prime football.
Last season marked Adams’ fifth consecutive with over 1,000 receiving yards. And he managed this despite switching teams midseason — from the Las Vegas Raiders to the New York Jets — and missing three games. The Rams are taking a bit of a chance that, with a better quarterback situation than the ones in Las Vegas and New York, he’ll remain squarely in his prime.
And that’s certainly the vibe Adams is already getting from practicing with the Rams in OTAs. And part of the reason is the fun he’s having, likening it to youth football, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:
“This game is supposed to be a kid’s game and us just having a good time, a fun time out there together. For it to kind of feel like Pop Warner, high school, college ball all over again, that’s exactly what this team feels like in the best way possible,” Adams said after Tuesday’s OTA practice. “It feels like a college-type of camaraderie. I don’t think I’ve seen a linebacker and a punter talking as much as I have since I’ve been here, or the kicker and quarterbacks, or whoever it is. There’s just so much crossover.”
That vibe in the locker room from the Rams is making Adams feel a little younger as he enters his age-33 season:
“We’ve been going for a minute now, but it’s been good, man,” Adams said. “It’s been exactly what I needed, feeling rejuvenated and really enjoying the time with the guys, getting to know them, getting on the same page with (quarterback) Matthew (Stafford), and just gelling with the whole team right now. It feels like I’ve been on this team for a couple of years now just based on how open and receptive the guys have been to me.”
Playing with Matthew Stafford is part of what is making Adams feel rejuvinated, but it’s also just the overall hunger in the locker room:
“It’s just about ball,” Adams said. “There’s no other BS and we’ve got a really good quarterback in here. You’ve got a really good young team that shows a lot of promise and was obviously really close to being able to have a chance at the whole thing last year. So just knowing how hungry this team is and seeing the work they’re still putting in after having a year like last year—it just kind of confirms that I’m in the right place.”
The Rams have proven themselves to be one of the most professional organizations in the sport, especially since Sean McVay took over as head coach. They are routinely in the conversation for the Super Bowl and will continue to be in 2025. And that is the exact type of thing that can extend the prime of a player like Adams.
Rams named potential landing spot for Jaire Alexander
It’s possible that another former Packer could be heading to Los Angeles with Davante Adams in the recently-released Jaire Alexander. At 28, Alexander is still an extremely productive cornerback and is now a free agent after a contract dispute in Green Bay.
The Rams are considered a potential landing spot for Alexander given that he is the type of player they have pursued in the past at that position, although Sean McVay downplayed the possibility.
More must-reads:
- Bengals' Zac Taylor explains shocking Joe Flacco move for Packers game
- Lions CB Terrion Arnold to return 'sooner than expected'
- The 'Most NFL QB two-rushing-TD games' quiz
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Packers could see breakout star emerge on defense in weeks ahead
The Green Bay Packers’ secondary got lit up by Dak Prescott in a 40-40 tie against the Dallas Cowboys before heading off to the bye week, but help could be on the way. Through the season’s first five weeks, the Packers rank 11th against the pass, but they allowed 319 passing yards and three touchdowns to Prescott in their final game before the bye week. Help, though, could be on the way. Could Nate Hobbs elevate Packers’ secondary? With a showdown against the likes of wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on Sunday afternoon, a breakout star could be about to emerge. Mike Spofford of the Packers’ official website suggests that cornerback Nate Hobbs getting healthier could be a major asset for coordinator Jeff Hafley and Green Bay’s defense moving forward. “Nate Hobbs,” Spofford writes, when asked the player he’s most looking forward to see the rest of the season. “He’s getting further removed from his knee procedure during training camp, and he’s also back on the practice field after leaving the Dallas game to be evaluated for a concussion. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of Hobbs yet in this defense.” Hobbs has appeared in three games for the Packers this season, posting 10 total tackles, one pass breakup and one tackle for loss. Given that the 26-year-old had the added time during the bye week to get further away from the injury he suffered during the summer, he could be a player whose best football this season is still in front of him. That would be huge for a defense looking for consistent playmakers to step up.
The Big Five: NFL’s biggest surprises of the 2025 season — for better or worse
The 2025 NFL season has already produced unexpected plot twists, with projected playoff teams struggling and preseason afterthoughts becoming the talk of the town. For better or worse, here are the NFL's most surprising teams entering Week 6. 1. Baltimore Ravens (1-4) When things can't possibly get worse for the Ravens, they reach new depths. By losing 44-10 in Week 5 to the Houston Texans, a team it has historically dominated, Baltimore tied for its worst home loss in franchise history. The Ravens made moves this week to improve a putrid secondary, acquiring safety Alohi Gilman from the Los Angeles Chargers for edge-rusher Odafe Oweh and signing free-agent safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, but that's unlikely to provide immediate relief. In Week 6, Baltimore hosts the Los Angeles Rams, who have the league's second-ranked pass offense, so QB Matthew Stafford should carve up the defensive backfield with wideouts Puka Nacua (who is on a pace for a record-shattering season) and Davante Adams. Baltimore's offense, which is likely to be without two-time MVP starting quarterback Lamar Jackson (hamstring) for the second consecutive week, won't be able to keep up in a shootout. Oddsmakers agree, with Los Angeles an 8.5-point favorite, per ESPN BET. The Ravens appear headed for a 1-5 record entering their Week 7 bye, but they have a much more favorable schedule when they return. According to ESPN's NFL Football Power Index, Baltimore ranks No. 25 in remaining strength of schedule. With a healthy Jackson and an AFC North up for grabs, don't rule out a second-half surge. Yet it's just as likely Baltimore spends all season in a hole it can't get out of. 2. Indianapolis Colts (4-1) The most surprising success story of the season is in Indianapolis, which has surpassed all expectations. Quarterback Daniel Jones, who entered 2025 3-13 in his past 16 starts, is playing like an MVP candidate. Through five games, the No. 6 overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft is 107-of-150 (71.3 percent) for 1,290 yards, nine total touchdowns and two interceptions. The offense has generated most of the headlines, and for good reason, but the defense has been a revelation as well. The unit has held three of its first five opponents under 300 yards and forced a turnover in each game. Indy's fortune might not change in Week 6 as it hosts the Arizona Cardinals, who are coming off one of the most embarrassing collapses in recent history, blowing an 18-point lead at home to the previously winless Tennessee Titans. Arizona (2-3) has turned the ball over five times in its past two games. With road games remaining against the Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars and Seattle Seahawks, the Colts will soon provide a more accurate gauge on where they stand. But rather than being a Week 1 flash in the pan, Indianapolis looks built for the long haul. 3. San Francisco 49ers (4-1) Colts head coach Shane Steichen's main competition for Coach of the Year should be Kyle Shanahan, who has done a masterful job of leading a hobbled 49ers squad to the top of the NFC West. San Francisco is 3-0 without starting quarterback Brock Purdy, with Mac Jones joining Daniel Jones as one of the year's great reclamation projects. The Niners are also thriving without elite production in the run game from Christian McCaffrey, who is averaging 3.1 yards per carry. San Francisco is already 3-0 in division games, but to maintain its edge in the NFC West, the offense must become more balanced. Through Week 5, the Niners are first in pass offense (290.6 yards per game) but rank last in yards per rush attempt (3.1) and are the league's only team without a rushing touchdown. (Every other team has at least two.) 4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-1) The Jaguars made the AFC South the only NFL division with two one-loss teams after coming back to win at home against the three-time defending AFC champion Chiefs in Week 5. Jacksonville ranks in the top 10 in the NFL in both scoring offense and scoring defense. The Jaguars have ascending talent on both sides of the ball, with running back Travis Etienne (443 rushing yards) averaging career highs in yards per carry (5.8) and rush yards per game (88.6). First-year head coach Liam Coen has done a good job of running him in advantageous situations, with Etienne only facing a stacked box (eight or more defenders near the line of scrimmage) on 13 percent of his carries, the sixth-lowest rate among qualifying running backs, per NFL Pro. The defense, led by first-year defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, a former Green Bay Packers linebackers coach/run game coordinator, has more than held up on its end, forcing an NFL-high 14 turnovers. Linebacker Devin Lloyd (four interceptions, one fumble recovery) is one of the league's most improved players. ESPN's FPI gives the Jaguars a 75.4 percent chance to reach the playoffs, the third-highest odds in the AFC, trailing the Buffalo Bills (92.2 percent) and Colts (85 percent). 5. Las Vegas Raiders (1-4) "I'm processing it poorly to tell you the truth," first-year Raiders head coach Pete Carroll, 74, told reporters after his team's 40-6 trouncing at the Colts last Sunday. "I did expect to win right out of the chutes," Carroll added. Technically, Las Vegas did, defeating the New England Patriots (3-2) in Week 1. But four consecutive losses have dimmed hopes of a playoff run and instead raised significant questions, particularly at quarterback. Geno Smith, acquired in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks in the offseason, has regressed significantly after a strong three-year run as Seahawks starter. Through five games, Smith leads the NFL in interceptions (nine), throwing one on 5.5 percent of his pass attempts, more than double his rate from 2022-24 (2.1 percent). Instead of contending for a postseason spot, the Raiders, a longtime doormat, are closer to the No. 1 pick. Las Vegas is projected to end the season with the league's fifth-worst record, per ESPN. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
North Carolina reportedly considering nuclear option with Bill Belichick, and that's justified
LeBron James & Steve Nash Send Strong Message to Adam Silver Over Long-Standing Kawhi Leonard Issue
The NBA is facing a growing injury crisis, and many believe it’s tied to the demanding 82-game schedule. While some, like Steve Kerr, have long advocated for change, he even emailed Commissioner Adam Silver before last season, urging a reduction to 65 games! On the other hand, some do feel 82 is a sweet spot. The debate continues to divide the league, as concerns over player health and performance intensify. Now, LeBron James and Steve Nash have stepped in to share their perspectives. While discussing the sheer amount of superstars injured for the upcoming season on their ‘Mind The Game‘ podcast, Nash asked James about how much of it has to do with the number of games today’s players have to play each year. The Los Angeles Lakers forward gave a very balanced reply: “I mean, I don’t know, I can’t sit here and say that I have the direct answer to that. But we are at this point in the era that we’re playing in, it’s a lot more running.” While LeBron played it safe, Nash did not hold back. The former Suns star sent a strong message to the NBA, especially to commissioner Adam Silver. “When the acceling-deceling in space, there’s no getting around the wear and tear that causes. Like, we were talking about elite athletes covering elite athletes in bigger spaces, longer rotations, more closeouts, more possessions. Unfortunately, it just is a factor,” Nash pointed out. If you take an ideal scenario, a team can play around 110 games. 82 and then if you take 7 games (ideal situation) in each of the 4 rounds of the playoffs. “And then, so I hate load management. But it’s a part of the equation. We have to be smart. We don’t want guys to miss when LeBron James goes to Atlanta, we don’t want some kid to be sad ’cause he’s got to sit up. But sometimes that’s the reality. It’s that we have to be smart about it. So I don’t know, I feel like it’s an important part of the puzzle is managing the rigors of the game.” Well, Steve Nash does present a fair argument, because we have seen the Clippers star dealing with this issue. Although many fans criticize players like Kawhi Leonard and Joel Embiid for sitting out a significant number of games each season, it might be the result of the immense amount of stress their bodies have taken over time. After all, there’s a huge difference in playing 82 games back in the day compared to today. Then, players did not have to run 20-30 feet to cover a shooter, which might not seem much during one game, but takes a toll on an athlete’s muscles over the season. Teams will have to lean on load management because they do not have any other way of protecting their players. It’s not like the franchise and players like to disappoint the fans, the former Nets head coach revealed, but they don’t want to risk losing their stars for key games. Nonetheless, while LeBron James and Steve Nash have sent strong messages through their statements, what can be the solution? Is there a way to solve the NBA’s load management crisis? Well, in the past few years, load management has become a massive issue for the league, with fans frustrated with the situation. Although the NBA did come up with a way to combat the issue, as they issued a minimum threshold of 65 games for them to become eligible to be considered for the end-of-the-season honors, that doesn’t solve the root cause. You see, while this might prompt players to not sit out every game, the real problem, as Lakers superstar LeBron James and former NBA guard Steve Nash pointed out, is the wear and tear of muscles. The only, or rather an immediate solution, is to reduce the number of regular-season games unless there’s a solid alternative. That’s because any other solution than that will not help the players’ health, which should be a priority for the association. In fact, as mentioned, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has already raised this concern before. “I’m concerned about the product because I think we are asking way too much of our players,” Kerr said back in November last year. “The game has never been more difficult to play at a high level night after night after night. We should account for that. We all need to be thinking about that, for sure.” The Dubs boss pointed out that, given how difficult the game has become for players daily, teams have no choice but to sit out their players for certain games. As disappointing as it might be for the fans, it’s something the franchises have to do to avoid risking their players suffering a serious injury. Now, with more players and coaches joining Kerr, such as James and Nash, the league might finally be forced to look into this issue. However, reducing the number of games is easier said than done. So, will Adam Silver and Co. finally take some action to solve the NBA’s load management issue, or not? That’s something we can only wait and watch as the new season approaches.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt surge could make Commanders teammate fade from view
The Washington Commanders selected Jacory Croskey-Merritt with the No. 245 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He wasted no time becoming the darling of the offseason. This incredible hype has carried into the campaign. Croskey-Merritt is rapidly emerging as one of the team's most promising young building blocks. Despite his immediate fan-favorite status, it took Croskey-Merritt a few weeks to find a featured role in the Commanders' backfield. He received no more than 10 carries in any of Washington's first four games, as the team operated with a committee approach after Austin Ekeler tore his Achilles in Week 2. Jacory Croskey-Merritt's breakout is shaking up Commanders' running back dynamic Croskey-Merritt finally got the usage Washington fans had been waiting for against the Los Angeles Chargers. The seventh-round rookie accounted for 150 total yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 16 touches. That's extremely positive, but it might have come with collateral damage attached. In the weeks immediately after Ekeler's injury, it was 2023 sixth-round pick Chris Rodriguez Jr. who seemed to benefit the most from his absence. The Kentucky product was a healthy scratch in Washington's first two games but impressed with some big plays against the Las Vegas Raiders and Atlanta Falcons. He ripped off a 48-yard gain in Week 4, a bright spot in the Commanders' loss. Against the Chargers, Rodriguez got five carries for only seven rushing yards. Jeremy McNichols additionally only got two touches, a six-yard rush, and a catch for 12 receiving yards. With Jayden Daniels back in the lineup, there were more designed quarterback runs. Aside from that, it was the Croskey-Merritt show. Through five weeks, Croskey-Merritt leads the entire NFL in yards per carry. His vision, patience, and shiftiness are transcendent for a player drafted where he was, and he is quickly improving as a blocker and receiving threat out of the backfield. After compiling only 15 yards through the air in the first four weeks combined, he had 39 at SoFi Stadium. Head coach Dan Quinn said the reason Croskey-Merritt was featured so heavily in Week 5 was scheme-related, so it's not a guarantee he'll be the bell cow every week. With the Chargers running a gap scheme, run game coordinator Anthony Lynn decided to roll with the hot hand against his former team. Still, with the Commanders' next two opponents — the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys — both struggling against the run, we should see Croskey-Merritt fully unleashed. It's what everybody in Washington wants to see. Unfortunately, it will have to come at the expense of another late-round success story in Rodriguez.
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