Rams' Matthew Stafford, Trent McDuffie Feeding Off 'Relentless' Competition

The Los Angeles Rams enter the 2026 season with one of the more complete rosters in the NFL. 

The offensive and defensive sides of the ball have the chance to each be at the top of many categories, and much of it has to do with the play of quarterback Matthew Stafford and cornerback Trent McDuffie. Both are feeding off the stiff competition in training camp that each provides. 

Stafford and McDuffie will lead their respective units when the regular season begins, but for now, they’re focused on pushing each other to get the best out of both sides of the ball. The practices have been as competitive as expected, given the star talent across the roster.

The Rams have now completed eight days of practice, and one thing that has stood out most to Stafford is the quality of football. Following Monday’s practice, the 38-year-old quarterback acknowledged that both the offense and defense have had their moments throughout camp.

Read more: Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford Don't Buy Into Rams Expectations

“We’re stressing ourselves out physically, making those plays, but also mentally," Stafford said.

"Making sure that our defense is giving us a bunch of looks, hopefully our defense feels like we’re giving them a bunch of looks on offense, so it’s fun to come out here and compete. I don’t take it for granted.” 

After more than a week of practice, Trent McDuffie has already shown why the Rams made a significant investment to acquire the All-Pro cornerback.

So far, he has looked every bit like the player Los Angeles expected him to be and then some. Stafford was asked about McDuffie and highlighted how the cornerback consistently puts himself in a position to make a play on the football.

“Relentless, competitor, ultra-competitive guy that plays in and plays out is where he’s supposed to be,” Stafford said of McDuffie. 

Stafford has looked like himself so far in camp too, and McDuffie knows that better than anybody. 

“They’re a machine,” McDuffie said when asked about the offense. “Stafford’s back there 1, 2, 3 balls out. He’s no-looking."

McDuffie went on to say that the Rams' offense is as unique as he’s seen in his four seasons in the league. 

There are very few weaknesses to the Rams' offense (on paper), and the same could be said for the defense. 

Read more: Rams' Trent McDuffie Shares Insights on Sean McVay's Leadership and Culture

The Rams' biggest weakness last season on the defensive side of the ball was cornerbacks. Los Angeles quickly addresses that with the addition of McDuffie. The 25-year-old is a two-time All-Pro, and a lot is expected of him in 2026. 

As for Stafford, he is entering his 18th season in the league at age 38. It’s unclear for how long he will play; however, he has shown no signs of slowing down. 

Stafford is coming off an MVP season, and with the defense expected to take a major step forward, the Rams may not need him to put up the same numbers he did in 2025. However, with weapons like Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and Kyren Williams around him, Stafford has the talent to keep the offense among the NFL's elite.

Stafford and McDuffie won’t get to showcase their skills until the first week of the season, when they take on the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia.