Saturday's game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs brought answers and left us with some significant questions.
There remain two exhibition games to collect information ahead of the page turning to the regular season. If searching for answers to the leftover burning questions, these are the areas I would start:
Despite watching Xavier Smith quite literally fumble away the NFC Championship game last season, he returns as LA's primary punt returner. The Rams had all offseason to either bring in competition or consider alternatives. Instead, they seem ready to run it back with Smith.
But why? Smith brings little upside to the return role, even if he did break a longer return for one of the most important plays in Saturday's game in KC. Can the Rams maximize a roster spot by identifying a player who can contribute more as a returner and elsewhere?
I'd start with receiver Brennan Presley, who played well in the 2025 exhibition games and then led the Rams in receiving yards against the Chiefs. Presley has a similarly sized frame and close skillset to Smith. He seems to be a more productive receiver and the team risks nothing by experimenting with him as a punt returner. Presley already returned kicks in the preseason opener. Push his limits and see what he is capable of.
#exhibition
There remain two exhibition games to collect information ahead of the page turning to the regular season. If searching for answers to the leftover burning questions, these are the areas I would start:
Despite watching Xavier Smith quite literally fumble away the NFC Championship game last season, he returns as LA's primary punt returner. The Rams had all offseason to either bring in competition or consider alternatives. Instead, they seem ready to run it back with Smith.
But why? Smith brings little upside to the return role, even if he did break a longer return for one of the most important plays in Saturday's game in KC. Can the Rams maximize a roster spot by identifying a player who can contribute more as a returner and elsewhere?
I'd start with receiver Brennan Presley, who played well in the 2025 exhibition games and then led the Rams in receiving yards against the Chiefs. Presley has a similarly sized frame and close skillset to Smith. He seems to be a more productive receiver and the team risks nothing by experimenting with him as a punt returner. Presley already returned kicks in the preseason opener. Push his limits and see what he is capable of.
#exhibition
5 days ago
