Sean McVay Reacts to Kyren Williams' Accomplishments, Fumbles After Los Angeles Rams Win
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams could have been a victim of roster churning after an injury ended his rookie season and few projected him to have a major role in the 2023 backfield.
Instead, he has cemented himself atop the Rams’ running back room and among the most productive runners in the sport, despite missing four games in the middle of the season.
On Sunday, Los Angeles hosted the Washington Commanders and made light work of them, winning 28-20 in a game that hardly resembled its one-possession score.
Rams RB Kyren Williams attempts to break a tackle against the Arizona Cardinals.
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Few on the field were better than Williams, who just keeps stacking incredible performances. In Week 15, he added 152 yards and a score to his résumé, just six yards shy of his career-high and his fifth time passing 100 rushing yards on the season.
Most notably, it brought him within range of a 1,000-yard season. By scrimmage yards, he arrived there on Sunday.
Head coach Sean McVay reflected on the momentous accomplishment after the win.
“He’s made a lot of plays. He’s made a huge difference,” McVay said. “When he’s in the lineup and when he is not, it’s a very different theme for us. I could say that about a couple of guys, but he has been a big spark plug … I’m really happy for him. I want to just continue to see him make strides, but happy for Kyren and all his success, and it’s been earned.”
McVay has shown he’s not afraid to give snaps and touches to younger, unproven players once they’ve earned it. Williams and rookie receiver Puka Nacua have epitomized this, helping give the Rams a four-headed monster on offense. Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and these young weapons have made Los Angeles (7-7) one of the most formidable attacks in football.
However, Sunday’s action wasn’t perfect. One of the reasons the Rams didn’t blow the doors off the Commanders was its loss in the turnover battle. Williams lost two fumbles in the first half, temporarily keeping Washington around, even if the Rams’ win probability never dropped below 75 percent after the first quarter.
McVay reacted to his stumbling, bumbling, fumbling back.
“I got a lot of confidence in him. Those are very correctable things … But he’s a great player,” McVay said. “We wouldn’t be in a lot of these situations in a positive way if it wasn’t for him. I love the way that he finished the game out.
“It’s always about your response and so he’ll learn from it and he’s the type of guy that has the right football character, the right mindset and mentality to be able to use these things as learning [opportunities].”
McVay’s confidence was displayed on the field. Despite the two fumbles, Williams was nearly uncontested in the Los Angeles backfield. He saw a majority of his touches after those fumbles and remained incredibly productive. In a one-possession game, it was Williams who closed it out.
Don’t let the momentary gaffes slow down the hype on Williams. He’s been incredible and he has the full trust in a coaching staff that consistently puts him in a position to win. That makes Williams and the rest of the offense dangerous in a pivotal home stretch.
