McVay all but confirms return of revived veteran

The Los Angeles Rams are entering the 2026 offseason with a lot to build on after falling one game short of a Super Bowl appearance. 

After dealing with nagging injuries the season prior, quarterback Matthew Stafford put together an MVP-caliber campaign, producing the NFL’s top offense with his star receiver duo of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.

Entering what would be the final year of his contract and his 13th season in the NFL, head coach Sean McVay eased some tension among Rams fans with a comment about Adams' future with the team. According to The Athletic’s Nate Atkins, McVay absolutely expects to have Davante Adams back next season.

Adams’ resurgence has the Rams planning for his return

After bouncing around underperforming teams the last couple of seasons, Adams finally found a home in Los Angeles.

Joining a wide receiver's room that already featured a rising star in Nacua, Adams found a way to make himself useful, specifically in the red zone, where he caught a league-leading 12 touchdowns on 24 red-zone targets.

Under McVay, Adams revived his career, tying his second career high in touchdowns with a league-leading 14 touchdowns and playing in more games than his previous two seasons combined. 

Adams enters the offseason with one year remaining on his contract and a $28 million cap hit, making it likely the Rams will either restructure or extend him following his productive season to free salary space.

Adams' return to the team is good for McVay, who can continue to rely on Adams' sure hands on the field and his veteran presence in the receivers' rooms as a mentor for developing players like Nacua and third-year receiver Jordan Whittington.

Davante Adams has made a living on this Front Pylon Route all season! pic.twitter.com/d8w3P08PIm

With Adams expected to return, Los Angeles could now shift its attention to the NFL draft and figuring out a way to contend in a division that now holds formidable rivals in the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers.