Why Terrance Ferguson's signing is so crucial for the Rams offense this year

The anticipation is over, and the Los Angeles Rams have finally joined the growing number of NFL teams that have managed to sign their Round 2 selection, Oregon rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson. For the Rams roster, the team is finally fully stocked, with all pending players under contract. That does not mean that the Rams work is done. It only means that the work has just begun.

This is not a small matter. The Rams were willing to trade out of Round 1 to Round 2 only because they were confident that Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson would still be on the board with the 46th overall pick. While it's a cliche used by NFL teams that pronounce that the team got the rookie who they wanted all along, it was clear in Behind the Grind Episode 2 that the Rams had rookie TE Terrance Ferguson in their sights all along.

The conversation that first mentions Ferguson occurs at 16:40. And while the video footage was likely edited to limit the video to conversations about the player selected, it was obvious that HC Sean McVay was quite anxious about landing Terrance Ferguson until it happened:

And yet, that was not the final hurdle. Selecting rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson out of Oregon in Round 2 just happened to run into a new speed bump. Round 2 rookies were collectively taking a stand to increase the amount of guaranteed salaries in their contracts. But after some contracts reached language that both parties were willing to sign, the Rams finally reached an agreement with Ferguson, and the ordeal was over just before training camp started.

Now, like any game show, let's show you what you've won:

(3) - Terrance Ferguson is worthy clay for former TE Coach McVay

It's easily forgotten that Rams HC Sean McVay was once a tight end coach for the Washington Commanders. But with rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson, the team has finally landed a talented rookie at the tight end position who is a true talent worthy of McVay's full attention. Less talented players at the tight end position have tried, and failed, to click with McVay. Past versions of tight ends like Johnny Mundt, Kendall Blanton, Hunter Long, and even Davis Allen have been better blocking tight ends than receiving tight ends.

But when the team tried to develop a receiving tight end in the past, like Brycen Hopkins, he simply didn't pan out either.

Ferguson is a 6-foot-5, 247-pound tight end who has already drawn comparisons to former Rams All-Pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp. While bigger and more powerful, Ferguson has an amazing field presence that allows him to become an instant offensive weapon in the Rams offense.

(2) - 12 personnel offensive package is back on the menu

Despite the team's willingness to carry up to four tight ends on the roster last season, the Rams did not appreciate running a two-tight-end offense very often. The challenge to running two tight ends lay in the fact that in the majority of the season, the team's tight end trio of Colby Parkinson, Hunter Longs, and Davis Allen were simply not proficient receivers, which allowed defenses to counter any 12-personnel formations with more linebackers and defensive linemen.

Only veteran Tyler Higbee was truly the offensive weapon needed to threaten defensive secondaries.

In Ferguson, the Rams finally add a tight end who offers the offense a seamless transition from wide receiver to tight end in terms of eligibles on the football field. And how better to ease a rookie into the offense than to shelter him a bit with 12-personnel packages. This could finally be the year for tight ends to be back on the menu.

(1) - The Rams landed Tyler Higbee's understudy

There is no denying that this team needs to be confident in the succession plan at multiple positions this season. While the team has to prepare for the day of QB Matthew Stafford, RT Rob Havenstein, and TE Tyler Higbee electing retirement, the team was most vulnerable to Higbee's departure. After all, 2024 witnessed almost no production out of the tight end position until Higbee returned.

Why is Terrance Ferguson's signing so crucial for the Rams offense this year? The team has invested a lot of time and energy in unlocking new offensive options for 2025, and rookie TE Terrance Ferguson is a keystone to those plans. He gave the offense a reason to extend speedy WR Tutu Atwell even before he was drafted. He allows the Rams to rest Higbee in games, and still threaten defenses with viable passing options. And he is a true Red Zone target for the team this year. The Rams need to score more points in 2025, and Ferguson is a vital part of that.

The Rams just signed their final rookie to a contract. But the team just unlocked a lot of offensive strategy that has been months in the making. And with training camp just hours away, it's time to grab the popcorn and enjoy the show. As always, thanks for reading.