Head Coach Sean McVay announced that the Los Angeles Rams have cancelled mandatory minicamp.
McVay, who is a veteran head coach, cancelled the minicamp for the first time in his head coaching career.
The mandatory minicamp is the last phase of the NFL offseason program. During the camp, teams work on installing schemes, evaluating players, building team chemistry and holding meetings and film sessions. The minicamp is primarily used to lay the foundation for the upcoming season.
The Rams became the third NFL team to cancel mandatory minicamp this offseason. The San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals both cancelled their mandatory minicamps. While all three teams are in the same division, only two are expected to make the playoffs. The Cardinals finished with one of the NFL’s worst records last season – making their decision to cancel questionable.
The Rams’ decision to cancel is not surprising. While McVay hasn’t cancelled mandatory minicamp before, he has steadily reduced the number of offseason workouts over the years.
Why Sean McVay’s Mandatory Minicamp Cancellation Is Smarter Than You Think
The Case for Cancelling Minicamp
While the Rams’ decision to cancel mandatory minicamp may raise some eyebrows, it is a logical move.
The decision is rooted in injury prevention and lessens the wear and tear that can linger throughout the season. The offseason workouts are conducted without pads, and many coaches prefer to avoid the risk of players sustaining injuries during non-contact practices.
The decision to cancel is often based on a team’s confidence that the previous offseason workouts already accomplished all the necessary work. Some teams even replace the workouts with team bonding activities in an effort to strengthen team chemistry.
“We’re not naïve to the things that are said,” McVay said this week, “but that doesn’t affect us and we have to be humble. … You acknowledge it, but you also understand that that means absolutely nothing.”
The Rams are a veteran team with a few young players. The Rams drafted five rookies this year and while it may be beneficial to have mandatory minicamp they already went through rookie minicamp and Organized Team Activities (OTAs).
The team’s new additions are also all veterans. Cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson as well as defensive end Myles Garrett are all experienced players who have been through mandatory minicamps on other teams and just went through OTA offseason workouts – reducing the need for extensive offseason workouts.
The trend of cancelling NFL offseason workout dates isn’t new. Teams have cancelled their offseason workouts in past years. Several teams like the Detroit Lions and the Philadelphia Eagles have cancelled mandatory minicamps in past years.
McVay’s Coaching Style
While McVay had never previously cancelled mandatory minicamp as a head coach, he has skipped on-field portions of mandatory minicamps in past years.
McVay’s success speaks for itself, and Rams’ players trust him, especially knowing the success they had last year.
“The biggest thing is that this organization really trusts and is buying into this year,” safety Quentin Lake said this week. “You look at how close we were last year, and it gives you the confidence to say what will take us the extra step.”
The Rams also open week 1 in Melbourne, Australia and any injuries could be a major setback on their Super Bowl journey.
McVay’s guidance has already led the franchise to two Super Bowls with a victory in 2021. The decision to cancel mandatory minicamp is a strategic approach to keep everyone rested and uninjured.
The team has eight newcomers and while they could benefit from a minicamp, each is a professional athlete who should be fully prepared for the start of a potential Super Bowl run.
Main Image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
