Rams QB Matthew Stafford happy to focus on football

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Rams QB Matthew Stafford happy to focus on football

Rams wide receiver Puka Nadia catches a pass during the first day of training camp on Wednesday at Loyola Marymount. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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Rams wide receiver Puka Nadia catches a pass during the first day of training camp on Wednesday at Loyola Marymount. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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LOS ANGELES — If the down-to-the-wire nature of his negotiations with the Rams caused quarterback Matthew Stafford any stress in the build up to training camp, he did nothing to indicate it as he addressed reporters on Wednesday.

Hair still wet with sweat from the first day of training camp, Stafford greeted any attempt to uncover insight into his desire for a restructured contract, which he received from the Rams on Tuesday morning as the team neared the report deadline for camp, with some version of the same refrain.

“I’m happy to be where I am, you know what I mean?” he said. “I’m happy to be here, I’m happy to be playing. I’m excited about playing football, to be honest with you.”

He declined to say whether or not he planned to hold out of camp if he did not receive his contract restructure, stating he lives too much in the moment to know what might have happened. He did not elaborate on his dialogue during the process with head coach Sean McVay, who described it Tuesday as beneficial for their working relationship.

Stafford wouldn’t say if he got what he wanted out of the negotiations, whether that be financial considerations or otherwise. He didn’t even admit whether or not the nerves of the situation got to him.

“I do a pretty stressful thing for a living, so I’m kind of used to those kinds of things,” he said with a wry smile.

It was a very different tone from a year ago, when Stafford confirmed the Rams had approached him about restructuring his contract to their benefit, something the Rams brass had gone on record to deny.

Instead, Stafford was the picture of a good soldier at Loyola Marymount on Wednesday, keeping all of his discussions and negotiations with the team “in house,” as McVay had done since this process went public in April.

“To be honest with you, I’m happy to be where I am,” said Stafford, who threw for 3,965 yards and 24 touchdowns with 11 interceptions in 15 games last season, helping the Rams reach the playoffs. “I know that sounds, over and over again you’re going to hear it, but that’s just the truth of it. I’m not interested in kind of reliving my moment-by-moment feelings here or there. But I am interested in pushing this team and getting to play with these guys for another season.”

During practice, the 36-year-old Stafford looked like the best version of himself as he prepares for his 16th season. That’s easy enough when the pass rushers can’t touch the quarterback and nobody’s wearing pads, but Stafford’s throws were crisp and precise as he hit Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua over and over again during 11-on-11 drills.

“His command, his communication, I thought he got through his progressions really well,” McVay said.

Stafford also found second-year tight end Davis Allen for a touchdown on his final pass, throwing the ball up for Allen to come down with it at the end of a corner route in the back of the end zone.

Tight end Colby Parkinson, a free acquisition from Seattle, caught an identical pass from backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo on the final play of the day.

“That room is a really pretty awesome room when you look at it top to bottom,” Stafford said. “It’s been great watching Davis mature and come into his own. I thought he did a really nice job in his role last year. … Always liked [Parkinson’s] game from afar and it’s been fun to get to work with him.”

And that’s the work that Stafford can focus on now; football, not business.

TURNER IN STREET CLOTHES

Defensive tackle Kobie Turner did not practice on Wednesday. McVay told reporters that the second-year player strained his groin during summer training. Turner was a participant in the Rams’ walk-through earlier on Wednesday and did not receive an injury designation.

WHITE RETURNS TO FULL PRACTICE

Free-agent acquisition Tre’Davious White was a full participant in practice after being limited during the Rams’ spring regimen. The former All-Pro cornerback tore his Achilles tendon during Week 4 of last season while he played for the Buffalo Bills.

“When he’s out there, he’s full speed,” McVay said. “But to say that he’s going to take 100% of the reps, we’ll be smart in terms of that work progression for him.”

Rams QB Matthew Stafford happy to focus on football

TURNER IN STREET CLOTHES

WHITE RETURNS TO FULL PRACTICE

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