The Rams have taken their draft operations out of their team headquarters in recent years and they’ll be doing so again in 2025, but there will be a significant difference in the location.
While private homes have been transformed into the team’s draft room in the past, this year will find the Rams working from space at the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Air Operations headquarters. The Rams will use a room in the headquarters as well as an adjacent hanger, but the unit’s operations will not be affected by their presence.
“Drafting from LAFD Air Operations is a powerful reminder of what it means to represent Los Angeles,” team president Kevin Demoff said in a statement. “Since the wildfires devastated our region in January, we have looked to bring LA Together to help with the recovery efforts, raise the spirits of those impacted, and shine a light on our first responders. We are humbled to partner with LAFD during one of the NFL’s biggest moments to express gratitude for those who risk their lives daily to protect our city.”
On April 25, the Rams will host first responders from around the region for a talk with Demoff, head coach Sean McVay and other members of the organization before moving forward with the second day of the draft.
The 49ers released defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and defensive end Leonard Floyd, saw cornerback Charvarius Ward and linebacker Dre Greenlaw leave in free agency and traded wide receiver Deebo Samuel. They have $80.9 million in dead cap, but their $33.5 million in cap space is the fifth-most in the NFL.
They will need some of that room to sign quarterback Brock Purdy to a contract extension.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area said on KNBR on Thursday that Purdy’s camp has an offer they aren’t “inclined to take at this point.” Purdy is expected to get a deal worth more than $50 million annually, which would rank 11th in the NFL.
49ers owner Jed York recently called Purdy a top-10 quarterback, and the team will have to pay Purdy like one.
Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua said he thinks that will be a mistake, because of the amount of cap space a contract that large would eat up. Nacua made his comments Wednesday on Julian Edelman’s “Games with Names” podcast.
“I don’t think so,” Nacua said about Purdy being worthy of a $50 million-plus contract, via Joaquin Ruiz of NBC Sports Bay Area. “I think [mid-$40 million] range. I think so.
“He seems like a smart guy. They have a chance to still be in their window, and I think if he goes for [$50 million-plus], then the window closes.”
Players generally don’t talk about other players’ money, especially players from other teams, even if Nacua’s point is valid. The quarterback market is what it is, and Purdy has earned a top deal with a 23-13 regular-season record, a 4-2 postseason record, 9,518 passing yards and 64 touchdowns while playing for peanuts as Mr. Irrelevant.
Purdy is 1-2 as a starter against the Rams in his career.
Future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald has secured a restraining order against a person he claims has been stalking him and his family for years.
Via Jayna Bardahl of TheAthletic.com, a Los Angeles court has granted Donald’s request for a temporary restraining order against Janelle Anwar.
Donald claims that Anwar sent threatening emails in 2020. She has sent packages and gifts. She eventually, according to Donald, threatened the life of his three-year-old son, Aaric.
Donald’s petition also contends Anwar believes she and Donald are married. She allegedly filed for dissolution of their non-existent marriage last month, seeking a divorce settlement of $6.5 million. He was notified of the filing by NFL security officials.
The temporary order requires Anwar to remain at least 100 yards away from Donald, his wife, their four children, and his brother. She also is prohibited from contacting Donald and owning firearms.
A hearing in the case has been set for May 7.
Wade Phillips, a three-time former NFL head coach, has taken a leave of absence from his current position as head coach of the UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas.
The UFL announced on Wednesday that Phillips will step aside for personal reasons.
Offensive coordinator Payton Pardee will serve as the interim head coach for the balance of the 2025 season.
“The UFL is extremely grateful for the leadership that Wade has delivered to the UFL as head coach of the San Antonio Brahmas,” UFL president and CEO Russ Brandon and UFL executive V.P. of football operations Daryl Johnston said in a statement. “The credibility that he has brought to the UFL as a Head Coach validates what we are building as a league. This coaching legend has the respect of everyone in the league as well as throughout the entire football community for his dedication and accomplishments as a coach for over 50 years. If and when Wade is ready to return to the sidelines, the entire UFL Family will be there to cheer him on.”
Phillips coached the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL in 2023. When the XFL merged with the USFL in 2024, Phillips became head coach of the Brahmas. He led San Antonio to last year’s UFL championship.
Phillips’s coaching career began in 1969, as a graduate assistant at the University of Houston. He joined his father, Bum, in 1976 as defensive line coach of the Houston Oilers.
In 1981, he followed his father to the Saints, where he spent five seasons as defensive coordinator.
He has served as head coach of the Broncos, Bills, and Cowboys. He also worked as an interim head coach with the Saints and Falcons. After his NFL career concluded in 2019 as defensive coordinator of the Rams, he was out of football until the XFL came calling.
Jalen Milroe’s busy pre-draft season is continuing out West this week.
Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Milroe is taking a pre-draft visit with the Seahawks on Tuesday and will meet later this week with the Rams.
The Seahawks signed Sam Darnold to a three-year deal and recently added Drew Lock to be a backup. But the club still could draft Milroe as a developmental prospect.
Los Angeles has Matthew Stafford but the franchise and veteran quarterback appear to be year-to-year at this point in Stafford’s career. Head coach Sean McVay said at the league meeting that it’s unlikely the club would draft a QB early, saying he hadn’t “done a whole lot of work on the quarterbacks.”
Milroe, 22, has spent time with several teams leading up to the draft next week. He’s notably set to have a private workout with the Giants later this week.
The Alabama product threw for 2,844 yards with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2024, also rushing for 726 yards and 20 scores. He was 21-6 as a starter, but only 9-4 this season with losses to Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Michigan.
