'Kam Bam': New Rams DB Curl Brings 'Violence' to Secondary
As Kamren Curl sat in a spinning chair at the Los Angeles Rams headquarters Monday, a silver chain glistened around his neck.
The chain holds up a pendant with three letters - BAM.
“It's just an old nickname from high school that stuck, ‘Kam Bam,’” Curl said. “I just like it so I like to go by it. It's my Instagram name too, so it's just a little nickname.”
But underneath the eye-catching jewelry and high school nickname is the meaning of "bam" - in football terms, it's often used to describe big hits.
Curl, who officially signed a two-year contract with the Rams on Monday, made a name for himself with the Washington Commanders by frequently being around the ball and dropping ball carriers.
Dec 17, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) runs the ball against Washington Commanders safety Kamren Curl (31) during the first half at SoFi Stadium.
Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
His early discussions with Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula reflect that Los Angeles intends on him living up to the "Bam" nickname early and often.
“Basically, he told me he brought me in because he likes the way I play,” Curl said. “He likes the violence, the physicality I bring to the game, and I feel like that's the only way to play football.
“So, bringing that to this defense can only make it better.”
Curl, a seventh-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, has started 53 of 60 games since entering the league while compiling 385 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and three interceptions.
In 2023, Curl was the Commanders' second-leading tackler with 115, trailing only linebacker Cody Barton's 121.
The 24-year-old Curl spoke highly of Rams head coach Sean McVay and the energy he provides on the sidelines. Curl is similarly fond of Shula, who's taking over as defensive coordinator after Raheem Morris left to become the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
“We had some great conversations, good energy,” Curl said of Shula. “Just ready to work with each other and get the job done, get some wins.”
Los Angeles' secondary is young, which is something Curl pointed out. It's been made even younger in free agency, as established leader Jordan Fuller departed for the Carolina Panthers while John Johnson III remains on the open market.
Curl is young, but he's played lots of football - and is ready to take on a leadership role in the Rams' defensive backs room.
“I feel like I'm a natural leader,” Curl said. “I can't be Aaron Donald, you know? I can just be myself, so that's what I'm going to bring to the team. Just the type of guy who I am, leading by example and being vocal and just trying to show everybody the right way to do things every day I come into the building.”
Curl had a front-row seat to the Rams' organization in Week 15 when Los Angeles took a 28-20 victory over the Commanders in SoFi Stadium.
Now, the former University of Arkansas standout is ready to make more positive memories in Los Angeles ... and bring a Lombardi Trophy back to Rams Nation.
“I like the way the guys just fly around,” Curl said. “Fly around, play hard. Just another piece that they want to bring in to bring another Super Bowl back to the town.”
