Sean McVay says Los Angeles Rams running back Royce Freeman has earned the No. 2 spot.
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Now that Williams is back, coach Sean McVay believes Freeman has done more than enough to maintain his place in the offense.
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“That’s been on full display for the most part since the Pittsburgh game.” I believe he has earned it. “I believe (Running Backs Coach) Ron Gould has done an excellent job with that group as a whole.”
In addition to his offensive contributions, Freeman has played an essential role on the Rams’ special teams. He played nearly half of the special teams snaps early in the season, and while his action count has decreased since joining the offense, he remains a significant contributor.
“It’s significant that he can contribute in the kicking game,” McVay added. “To be able to do some of the things that he’s able to do for (Special Teams Coordinator) Chase (Blackburn) and for (Assistant Special Teams Coach) Jeremy Springer on special teams is a big deal.”
With the Oregon Ducks in college, Freeman was nothing short of a superstar. He concluded his college career with 5,621 yards and 60 rushing touchdowns, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. While Oregon has had several prolific rushers over the years, Freeman outperforms them all statistically.
However, Freeman has not had the same impact in the NFL. He started his career with a pair of solid seasons with the Denver Broncos, but he’s battled to regain his footing since dropping down the depth chart in 2020. Freeman had brief spells with the Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans after departing the Broncos following that same season before joining the Rams.