Rams training camp: Trent McDuffie relishes homecoming with Jaylen Watson, Quentin Lake

LOS ANGELES — Trent McDuffie described it as a homecoming.

The Southern California native, suiting up for Day One of Rams training camp at Loyola Marymount University, felt at home, the All-Pro cornerback said Sunday evening. But he’s at home in more ways than one – the retooled Rams secondary providing familiarity for McDuffie as he gets settled in a new defensive scheme after four seasons and two Super Bowl titles with the Kansas City Chiefs.

First, lining up alongside him during 11-on-11 drills Sunday, throwing the roster straight into the fire on the first day of camp, was cornerback Jaylen Watson – who entered the league alongside McDuffie as two of the Chiefs’ 2022 draft picks and served in the same Super Bowl-winning defenses in Missouri. Watson signed a three-year deal with the Rams in the offseason, while McDuffie landed in L.A. in a trade with Kansas City for four draft picks.

“I was just so excited knowing the kind of person he is, you know what I mean, what he’s going to bring to this team,” McDuffie said. “And you saw him out here today, making plays against (wide receiver Davante Adams), which is what you want out of a cornerback.”

There’s also a homecoming holdover for the Rams, who have already had a profound impact on McDuffie dating back to high school.

McDuffie graduated from Trinity League power St. John Bosco in the CIF Southern Section, while safety Quentin Lake played for their archrivals, Mater Dei. They overlapped at Mater Dei, however, where McDuffie played in his freshman year of high school (before transferring to Servite and then St. John Bosco) when Lake starred in the secondary before attending UCLA for college.

“Obviously, Cap,” McDuffie said of Lake, a two-time captain of the Rams defense, “he’s one of the best dudes. … I know we’re ready to work. So I appreciate being a part of a group like that.”

Defensive coordinator Chris Shula, entering his third season leading the Rams defense, said that Watson and McDuffie have already begun using their voices in the secondary room, using their voices to bolster the gelling process for a group that was a clear weakness of the roster compared to the pass rush effort a year ago.

Shula called the pair of former Chiefs cornerbacks, “true pros,” adding that they add great perspective to the defensive operation, a group that’s also added star defensive end Myles Garrett to the fold in a blockbuster trade.

“It’s been fun to see that room kind of grow together, but then to add those guys in that just have great football character, they work hard, they love football, and and you see they’ve taken their own in their own way taken leadership roles in that room, where a lot of guys asking them questions,” Shula said. “There’s great dialogue, and they’re just great guys to work with.”

McDuffie, who started 13 regular season games for the Chiefs last season, said that part of himself finding his voice early on with the Rams has been internalizing a clean slate. The 25-year-old added that every one of the team’s defensive backs should have a say and have a voice as they begin building for the season through training camp.

“As a leader walking into here, I mean, I wasn’t trying to change the culture,” McDuffie said. “I wasn’t trying to come in here and say we need to go this way or that way or things that I tried to take from Kansas City. … Let’s come in, let’s build with each other. I think that’s the best thing we can do.”

Speaking to the media Saturday before training camp started, Watson laid out what he could bring to the fold alongside Kam Curl, Kamren Kitchens, McDuffie and Lake.

“I bring communication, try to limit all, you know, busts on the back end, competitiveness and just a toughness,” said Watson, who tipped a pass during 11-on-11 drills that ended up in the arms of Kitchens for an interception. “I think we all want to run around, we want to hit people, fly around fast, and just give the crowd a great show.”

Early returns on Simpson and Bennett

The Rams surprised most of the league during the draft when they selected quarterback Ty Simpson 13th overall in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

And with starting quarterback Matthew Stafford on a planned on-and-off schedule through training camp – the 38-year-old reigning MVP did not participate Sunday but will Monday – Simpson and 2023 fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett IV will get plenty of reps to determine who the Rams’ backup quarterback will be.

Offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, in his first year of duties after the Arizona Cardinals hired Mike LaFleur as their head coach, said that he was “encouraged” by Simpson so far.

“I appreciate the way that he works as much as anything, and I think anytime you’ve got that mindset, you’re going to continue to grow each time that you’re out there,” Scheelhaase said. “You’re going to grow from the good reps, you’re going to grow from the bad reps, and so, when you got that mindset, that workman’s mentality, you’re going to just see growth happen day in and day out.”

Scheelhaase said that he’s first looking for Simpson to continue to develop his pre-snap process – learning how to best get comfortable with the formations, motions and adjustments – to set a foundation during training camp ahead of his season learning behind Stafford, whether as the direct backup or not.

The Rams’ offensive coordinator similarly said he appreciated Bennett’s competitiveness on the first day of camp, adding that dating back to last year’s training camp, he noticed how his teammates would rally around him. Bennett has yet to play a regular season snap for the Rams after sitting behind Jimmy Garoppolo on the depth chart for each of the last two seasons.

Notes:

The Rams placed offensive lineman Justin Dedich on the non-football injury list with an undisclosed ailment. … Dedich started five games last season. …

Garrett made his training camp debut for the Rams on Sunday … “It was the first time he’s lined up as a defense with us out there,” Shula said. “… We’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time, (and he) definitely lived up to it.” …

Special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone, who was hired from the Cleveland Browns, mentioned wide receiver Xavier Smith and running back Kyren Williams as punt return options, but did not rule out further competition. … Smith served as primary punt returner last season with Williams backing him up. …  “I think Xavier’s going to keep developing, we’re going to keep training him,” Ventrone said. “I think Kyren’s an option. … I think obviously, competition brings out the best in everybody, so we’re going to get guys opportunities and we’ll see what happens.”