Braden Fiske is heading into Rams training camp with a much better feeling than he had a year ago.
The defensive lineman said the biggest difference entering the 2026 season is simple: he’s healthy. After dealing with injuries from the start of last season, Fiske says this offseason has gone the way he wanted, and that has him in a far better place as camp approaches.
“That’s the number one thing,” said Fiske. “Last year, I showed up to training camp not feeling like I wanted to feel.
But this year, I got to the offseason the way I wanted to and I feel great. I’m just ready to be healthy.
I feel great right now.”
That’s a welcome change after a second season that never really got off the ground. Fiske came into the league with real momentum after a rookie year that featured 8.5 sacks, a PFWA All-Rookie Team nod and a finish as a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Year two, though, was a different story. His first sack didn’t come until Week 9, and he ended the season with three.
Still, the box score doesn’t tell the whole story. Fiske said he had to take a hard look at what went wrong, and he pointed to the injuries he battled along the way.
“I think my main focus, at least going into this year, is just getting better every day,” said Fiske. “Obviously, last year wasn’t my best statistical year.
I had to really go back and do a deep dive. I battled some injuries.
That’s part of the game, that’s not an excuse. I feel great going into this season.
I just want to win and get better.”
Even with the dip in sacks, Fiske still found ways to impact games. He finished with 50 pressures, just nine fewer than he had as a rookie.
And when he was healthy, he showed real improvement against the run. From Weeks 11-13, Fiske ranked as the second-best run defender in the NFL via PFF.
Now the Rams are looking for him to build on that and make the jump many expected after his first year. Year three brings plenty of attention, and the front line around him could make life easier. Playing alongside Myles Garrett should create one-on-one chances, and if Aaron Donald returns, offenses would have their hands full trying to sort out the Rams’ defensive front.
“It’s not every day you get to play next to a Hall of Famer,” said Fiske. “I think that opportunity is unbelievable in itself. I’m excited to get to work with Myles.”
Fiske’s second season may have fallen short of expectations, but he enters year three healthy and with a chance to remind everyone why the Rams moved up to draft him in the first place. If the injuries stay away, a bounce-back season is very much on the table.
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