Los Angeles Rams TE Hints At Big Schematic Changes Coming To The McVay Offense

“It’s honestly one of the best I’ve been a part of, I think, since I’ve been here,” Higbee said this week in an interview with the team website. “Top to bottom, we’ve got a lot of depth. I think it might allow us to do some things, get some more 12 [personnel] on the field.”

That depth is thanks in large part to the addition of second-round pick Terrance Ferguson, a 6-foot-5 playmaker out of Oregon. The rookie’s arrival signals more than just a nod to the future — it suggests a more immediate schematic shift. Ferguson offers a blend of size, athleticism, and versatility that could allow McVay to dial up more creative formations and alignments, particularly in the red zone and on third down.

And while Higbee remains the presumptive Week 1 starter, it’s clear the organization is preparing for a gradual transition. Ferguson is a decade younger than Higbee and enters the league without the wear and tear of multiple NFL seasons or a major injury history. Their skill sets are complementary, but the writing is on the wall: Higbee’s role may shift as Ferguson becomes more integrated into the offense.

Rams GM Talks 12-Personnel And McVay

General manager Les Snead echoed that sentiment during a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, hinting not only at a bigger role for Ferguson but also at a broader philosophical return to true McVay’s roots.

“When Sean came to us from Washington, they did a lot of 12 personnel,” Snead said. “We’ve got a really good tight end room now. Everyone’s played NFL snaps. Tyler’s been here since Day 1 with Sean, but we’re at that stage in his career where we’re thinking about who eventually replaces him — and how we can get more out of the position overall.”

In addition to Ferguson and Higbee, the Rams also boast solid depth with Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen, both capable of contributing in specific packages or in relief. It’s this combination of youth, experience, and versatility that gives the Rams flexibility — both tactically and long-term.

After an up-and-down 2024 campaign, some have questioned the Rams’ ability to return to playoff contention. But with a healthy Matthew Stafford and an offense that now features legitimate tight end depth — a luxury in today’s NFL — the Rams may have found a new foundation to support their high-powered attack.

If McVay does embrace more 12 personnel, expect the Rams’ offense to look more balanced, with tight ends once again becoming central figures — not just blockers or safety valves, but featured weapons. And in that scenario, Terrance Ferguson isn’t just the future of the position — he might be a big part of the present, too.