Sean McVay responds to controversial Kyren Williams comments after Rams' loss to Cardinals

As shared by Sarah Barshop of ESPN, Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams said shortly after the team's stunning 18-16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals that dropped the Rams to 2-4 this past Sunday that Los Angeles' offensive struggles "probably" had something to do with the fact that "I'm not out there." 

While speaking with reporters on Monday, Rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed that he had spoken with Williams about that comment.

Kyren Williams wants to be a "spark" for struggling Rams 

"He brought it up to me," McVay explained, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "I wasn’t aware of it. He’s such an energy for us. He was emotional after the game. I know this guy’s heart. He wants to make sure that he’s influencing and effecting positive change. I think what he said, it was more of, 'I just always want to try to be that spark.'"

According to Barshop, Williams played 40 offensive snaps against the Cardinals. He rushed for 50 yards on 10 carries, and he also tallied three receptions for 17 yards. 

To compare, fellow Rams running back Blake Corum rushed for 42 yards on nine carries. He also contributed two catches for 18 yards and a touchdown in the defeat. 

Kyren Williams was simply "frustrated" after the Cardinals game

"He was frustrated after the game, but his teammates know what he’s about," McVay added about Williams. "When he explained it to me, I totally understood where he was coming from. He’s a great leader for us. I think the way that it was interpreted was not what his intentions were. I know his teammates and I felt that way. He actually brought that up to me on his own. I was not aware of it until he brought it up to me."

Understandably, Williams and other Rams players would be frustrated, as the team that opened the campaign as heavy favorites to win Super Bowl LXI this coming February was largely a massive disappointment across the season's first six weeks. 

As for Williams' future workloads, one wonders whether the squeaky wheel will get the grease when the Rams play at the 3-3 Las Vegas Raiders on the afternoon of Oct. 25. As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Rams as 4.5-point road favorites over the Raiders.