The Rams are leaning hard on leadership heading into the 2026 season, and their captain group shows it. Los Angeles announced 11 captains on Monday, a number that stands out even more because it includes a mix of established veterans and a few newer faces who have already earned trust inside the building.
At the top of the list is quarterback Matthew Stafford, who continues in the role he’s held since arriving in 2021. He’s joined on offense by running back Kyren Williams, tight end Tyler Higbee, offensive lineman Coleman Shelton and wide receiver Davante Adams.
On defense, the Rams turned to a familiar centerpiece in edge rusher Myles Garrett, who quickly made an impression after his sudden arrival to the team in the blockbuster June 1 trade from the Cleveland Browns. Defensive tackle Kobie Turner is also in the group, along with linebacker Nate Landman, who wears the “C” for the second straight year. Safety Quentin Lake returns as a defensive backfield leader, while newcomer cornerback Trent McDuffie also received captain votes after arriving as the Rams’ first big acquisition in NFL free agency via the Kansas City Chiefs.
Rounding out the group is long snapper Joe Cardona, who serves as the special teams captain.
Introducing our 2026 captains 🫡 pic.twitter.com/breO1uRqWS
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 1, 2026
The size of the group marks a first for head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead. Aaron Donald, who was lured back by the Rams on Sunday, is not among this year’s captains despite having been part of that leadership mix in years past.
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The roster also came with some immediate concern up front, where offensive linemen Justin Dedich and Keagen Trost were placed on injured reserve. Those moves leave the Rams thinner than they would like in a spot where insurance matters, and the decisions on players such as Dylan McMahon, Bill Murray, Cam Lampkin and Hamilton show how tight the margins were throughout the final cuts. For a team trying to settle its depth before the season starts, the opening roster is in place, but the ripple effects are still being sorted out. [Read more 🡒]