Kyren Williams is entering his fourth season with the Los Angeles Rams, fresh off a career year that saw him rush for 1,299 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Williams carried the ball 316 times last season, which trailed only Saquon Barkley (345) and Derrick Henry (325).
While Williams is once again going to be the Rams’ lead running back this year, they have excellent depth behind him in second-year player Blake Corum and fourth-round draft pick Jarquez Hunter.
Williams understands that his workload might be reduced and wants to make the most of his opportunity, via Gary Klein of the L.A. Times:
“I expect, and kind of know, that my reps are going to get cut down,” Williams said. “So for me, it’s making the most of the ones I do get, and being able to not only run the ball, but contribute in the pass game, the blocking game, all that stuff.”
Williams is one of the Rams’ most valuable players on offense, so it makes sense that they would want to try to cut back on his carries in order to maximize his effectiveness.
He will still get his fair share of opportunities in the running and passing game, while Corum and potentially Hunter can spell him at times when he needs a breather.
The Rams signed Williams to a contract extension during the offseason that will begin in 2026 and run through the 2028 season. He will reportedly receive $33 million ($23 million guaranteed) over the next three years.
Kyren Williams credits Rams head coach Sean McVay
Contract negotiations between Williams and the Rams took longer than expected, but the 25-year-old did not hold out and expressed confidence that a deal would eventually get done.
He is now the seventh-highest paid running back in the league behind Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, Henry, Jonathan Taylor, Alvin Kamara and Josh Jacobs.
Williams credited Rams head coach Sean McVay for always believing in him and offering words of encouragement when he went through some difficult times.
“He’s always instilled that confidence in me that I was going to continue to be the player that I hope to be,” Williams said, “and he’s done that since… I broke my foot (in 2022 OTAs). I remember him texting me in that hotel room telling me that I’m going to be okay, I’m going to be better. I just remember sitting in that bed, and I started crying because this means so much to me.”
