PALM BEACH, Fla. – Rams head coach Sean McVay spoke with reporters Tuesday morning at the NFC coaches breakfast at the NFL Annual Meeting, discussing an injury update on offensive lineman Rob Havenstein, expanding on the decision to release wide receiver Cooper Kupp, the latest on extension talks with running back Kyren Williams and more.
More on those and other key takeaways below:
Decision to release Cooper Kupp
Earlier this offseason, McVay, general manager Les Snead, vice president of football and business administration Tony Pastoors and Rams president Kevin Demoff gathered for two days for an after-action review of the season, pending free agents and the short- and long-term visions for the team.
McVay said Kupp was someone they spent a lot of time talking about, and after that review, they all came to the conclusion that when they returned, he would sit down with Kupp and inform him that they would seek to trade him, and if they were not able to find a trade partner, grant his release.
"It was a challenging conversation, but he couldn't have been more classy, even just to watch the way he handled the Seattle press conference, the authenticity, the vulnerability," McVay said. "But that was a hard conversation for me, for him, but it was something that, at the end of the day, it was a football decision, and it doesn't change the legacy, all the great things that (he's done), more importantly, the great person that he is. But we do have a responsibility to the collective, and it was what we felt like was the best decision for our football team moving forward. And it was not easy, but that's what our responsibility is."
Rams to meet with Kyren Williams' agent today amid extension talks
McVay said the Rams are scheduled to meet with Williams' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, in Palm Beach today.
McVay wanted to keep the specifics of those extension conversations between him and Williams, but they've had dialogue with Rosenhaus and Williams.
Snead yesterday said the Rams and Williams aren't in agreement on a number yet.
"Obviously, he's got another year left on his contract, so we'll see if we can get something done," McVay said. "But he knows how important he is to us. As far as just bridging that gap, we'll see how far we have to go for that, but he is a very important part of what we want to be moving forward."
More opportunity for Tutu Atwell?
While wide receiver Tutu Atwell's usage through his first four seasons with the Rams varied and only spiked when a player was injured, that could change this season.
Atwell stayed with the Rams by signing a one-year deal before hitting free agency, and is in store for a bigger role.
"I think the fans are accurate in that I haven't done a good enough job of utilizing him," McVay said. "And when you look at the times when he's been able to play, whether that be because some people were out or not, he has produced and he's delivered, and we're looking forward to seeing more of that ascension. And he's going to be on the field a lot more, particularly in a lot of those three-receiver sets where, when he's been on the field, he's done a really good job."
