The NFC is already giving us a few useful training camp snapshots, and a couple of them point to roles and relationships that could matter once the games start counting.
In San Francisco, Deebo Samuel is back in the mix, and 49ers GM John Lynch made it clear the team plans to lean into the full range of what Samuel can do. Lynch said Samuel will work as a receiver, a running back and a kick returner, stressing that San Francisco intends to move him around the field.
“You are going to see him in the return game, at receiver, and at running back,” Lynch said, via NBC Sports Bay Area. “We are going to use him all over the field, and we are really excited to have Deebo back. We have a lot of history with him, we know the type of player he is, and he looks to be in really good shape.”
Across the division, Rams wideout Davante Adams is staring down his 13th NFL season and didn’t shy away from the reality of being one of the older players in the locker room. Asked whether he thinks about that, Adams said he does.
“I battle with that sometimes, I do,” Adams said, via Pro Football Talk. “I am the old man and I feel young because I can still go out there and do young man stuff, but then my body don’t necessarily feel the same way it’s done as it was back at Puka [Nacua’s] age.
At the end of the day, what’s 13 times seven? Because this is dog years out here.
It’s a whole different ball game than living years. If I can continue to play at a high level, I’ll deal with the other stuff whether it’s talking about me being old or a little bit of extra pain.
It’s just a little extra work you have to do to come out of it.”
Puka Nacua is also part of the Rams’ news cycle, with Adam Schefter reporting that the receiver, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal, has hired Win Sports Group to handle his contract negotiations.
On the quarterback side, Sean McVay said Ty Simpson will “definitely” play in the first preseason game, though the Rams coach said he is still unsure whether Stetson Bennett will be available.
Seattle’s buzz centers on Rashid Shaheed, who said a full offseason with Sam Darnold has made him far more comfortable in the offense after arriving midway through last season. Shaheed said the extra reps and time together have already shown up.
“Just being able to get all these reps and time with Sam and with the offense, just getting adjusted as fast as possible,” Shaheed said, via the team’s website. “The time that I’ve had so far this offseason, I can definitely see the improvement compared to coming here halfway through a season. It’s been good, and I’m just excited to continue to grow in training camp.”
Shaheed described last year’s arrival in Seattle as trying to catch up to a team already in motion.
“Jumping on a moving train, especially with these guys and the trajectory they were on last year. You’ve got to figure it out quick. Just being able to come in and be myself, the guys helped me out with that, the coaches helped me out with that, so now I’ve just got to continue to gain momentum through this year.”
He also said winning a championship after being traded to Seattle gave him a confidence boost heading into this season.
“Coming here and becoming a Super Bowl champion, you couldn’t really write it any better. I just felt like I was able to come in and help the best way I could. That definitely gave me confidence going into this year.”
Mike Macdonald has noticed the chemistry too. The Seahawks coach said the timing between Shaheed and Darnold has improved throughout the offseason, and he believes the work they’ve put in over the summer is showing up.
“For the folks that watched our practices in the spring, to see the improvement in the timing between him and Sam, it was really exciting going into the offseason, and I think they’ve picked up right where they left off,” Macdonald said. “I know they put in some work this offseason as well throughout the summer, and that’s definitely paying dividends.”
In Other News...
Aaron Donalds Rams Return Just Became A Real Possibility
Aaron Donalds comeback talk has moved beyond idle offseason speculation. The former Rams star recently conducted a workout with Los Angeles as part of evaluating whether a return from retirement makes sense, a sign that both sides are at least serious about what a reunion would look like after his dominant run in horned gold.
Sean McVay has made it clear the bar is still the same: Donald would only come back if he is able to meet the standards that made him one of the most feared defenders in the league. The Rams have also reportedly put together a plan to ease him back by trimming his workload if he does return, but for now there has been no official decision, which leaves the situation sitting right where the team cant quite ignore it. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Just Addressed A Cornerback Concern Fans Couldn't Ignore
The Rams moved to shore up a thin spot at cornerback ahead of the preseason by signing Zech McPhearson, a veteran defensive back whose career has largely centered on special teams. Its the kind of low-profile roster move teams make when they need another body in camp, but it also speaks to how quickly depth can become an issue once practices and preseason reps start piling up.
McPhearson arrives with some draft pedigree after coming into the league with Philadelphia in 2021, and Los Angeles is clearly counting on him to help stabilize the back end of the secondary. The timing matters, too, with Dre Norwood going on injured reserve and opening up a need for another corner who can at least keep the rotation moving while the Rams sort out who sticks. [Read more 🡒]