Kyren Williams arrived at the Los Angeles Rams training camp on Tuesday, amid ongoing negotiations for a new contract. The running back, who has been a key asset for the team, showed no intention of holding out despite the lack of a finalized deal.
Williams’ Arrival and Contract Negotiation Status
Williams was seen arriving at the team’s facilities on a scooter, according to The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue. While <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport suggested that Williams might hold in to avoid fines while waiting on a new contract, Williams himself dismissed this idea when speaking with reporters, signaling he plans to fully participate in camp.
During the offseason, both Williams and the Rams expressed optimism about reaching a long-term agreement. Rams head coach Sean McVay shared a positive outlook last month, noting the active dialogue between the team and Williams’s representatives.
“There’s been a lot of back and forth. There’s been some good proposals on both sides,”
McVay said.
“We are getting closer to hopefully finding a conclusion to this. Now, until that’s actually agreed upon from both sides, we’re really in the same boat.”
Williams also expressed confidence in talks progressing smoothly. On May 19, he told Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times that he was “feeling good” about the situation and that “it’s going to happen” eventually.
Evaluating Williams’ Role and Performance with the Rams
Since McVay’s update, there has been little news on the contract’s current progress, though discussions continue as training camp begins. Williams has proven his value as the Rams’ primary running back the past two seasons. He ranks third among all NFL running backs in carries (544), rushing yards (2,443), and is tied for second in rushing touchdowns (26) since the start of 2023.
Last season, Williams set personal bests with 316 rushing attempts, 1,299 rushing yards, and 14 rushing touchdowns. However, his efficiency declined somewhat compared to 2022, with an average of 4.1 yards per carry and a 50.9 percent success rate, down from 5.0 yards per carry and 59.6 percent success rate the previous year. Additionally, Williams fumbled five times over 350 touches in 2023, compared to just three fumbles during the prior two seasons combined on 304 touches.
Looking Ahead: Contract Implications and Season Expectations
Williams enters the 2025 season in the final year of his rookie contract, with a base salary of $5.3 million. As contract talks proceed, the Rams face the challenge of balancing his recent performance trends with his importance to the offense. With the team and player both eager to find common ground, the outcome of negotiations could shape Williams’ role and financial future with the franchise as the season unfolds.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Kyren Williams elite?
A. Kyren Williams, a running back for the Los Angeles Rams, has been very effective in the NFL over the last two seasons. However, he still hasn’t been recognized as one of the top players in the league.
Q. Is Kyren Williams a RB1?
A. Williams was the main running back last year and will continue in that position. In 2024, rookie Blake Corum supported him, gaining 207 yards.