PHOENIX — Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay acknowledged that the group explored the potential of buying and selling huge receiver Davante Adams however finally determined it wasn’t what was finest for the group.
“If we felt prefer it was finest for our group, we might have accomplished that,” McVay mentioned from the league conferences Monday. “However we did not suppose it was finest for our group.”
Adams, who signed a two-year contract with the Rams in March 2024, led the league in receiving touchdowns final season regardless of lacking three video games.
McVay mentioned the experiences that the Rams explored buying and selling Adams have been correct, however mentioned, “We’ve discussions on a regular basis.”
“We actually talked about some totally different avenues of onboarding different gamers and the way it may have an effect on Davante,” McVay mentioned.
McVay mentioned he has talked to Adams in regards to the attainable commerce conversations and mentioned he believes that the receiver understands why they came about.
“There’s loads of stuff that is on the market that is not correct, however when there’s at the very least some accuracy or some thought to it, you wish to take care of that direct, sincere and open,” McVay mentioned. “And there is been cases the place I wasn’t nearly as good about that in earlier years, and so I do not wish to make those self same errors.
“And he is a grown man, and I believe he understood that this is part of this enterprise, however I believe what he additionally understood is on the finish of the day, you are a Ram as a result of that is what’s finest and I am excited to maneuver ahead with him.”
In his information convention on the league conferences, McVay additionally addressed the lawsuit filed in opposition to receiver Puka Nacua, saying the group has been conscious of the incident because it occurred on New 12 months’s Eve. Final week, a lady in Los Angeles filed a civil lawsuit in opposition to Nacua alleging he made an “unprovoked antisemitic assertion” and later bit her on the shoulder.
McVay mentioned the Rams are “persevering with to assemble all the data.”
“However man, you guys know, I belief this child’s coronary heart,” McVay mentioned. “Love him, put your arm round him, wish to proceed to assist him develop and actually get all the suitable details earlier than I type of rush to judgment on that individual state of affairs.”
Nacua, a fifth-round choose in 2023, is now eligible for a contract extension. Final week, Seattle Seahawks huge receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba agreed to an extension that made him the highest-paid receiver in NFL historical past.
Because the Rams have these discussions with Nacua, McVay mentioned the receiver understands the accountability in how he must symbolize the group. In December, Nacua issued an announcement apologizing for performing a gesture on an web livestream that was “antisemitic in nature and perpetuated dangerous stereotypes in opposition to Jewish individuals.”
“The play on the sector is wonderful,” McVay mentioned. “After which with what the play has dictated and decided, there is a accountability when it comes to representing all issues, not unique to only that. He is aware of that. These are the expectations and we’re hopeful that that’ll be one thing that this will likely be a chance for him to be taught and develop.
“And we’re hopeful that he is a Ram for a very very long time, however he understands what the accountability is, not unique to only the manufacturing on the sector.”
