As the Los Angeles Rams set their sights on Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium, head coach Sean McVay has placed an unprecedented amount of trust in his locker room. On Monday, the team announced that players had voted for 11 captains for the 2026 season — the largest group in McVay's tenure, surpassing the nine selected in 2020 and well above the seven from a year ago. This expansion of leadership underscores a roster brimming with veteran voices and fresh faces, all united by a singular goal: a championship on home turf.
A Balanced and Experienced Leadership Core
The 2026 captain group is notable not only for its size but for its symmetry. Five captains come from the offense, five from the defense, and veteran long snapper Joe Cardona represents special teams. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, this balance reflects a team-wide respect that McVay believes is unmatched during his time in Los Angeles. "The leadership in that room is as strong as we've had," McVay said, a sentiment echoed by the diverse backgrounds of the honorees.
Among the returning captains, quarterback Matthew Stafford continues his remarkable streak. Stafford has been a Rams captain every season since arriving in 2021, and this marks his sixth consecutive selection with the team. His NFL captaincy history is even more storied: he has been a captain in every season of his professional career except his rookie year in 2009, giving him 17 captaincies entering his 18th NFL season. Stafford's presence remains the anchor of the offense and the franchise.
The offensive leadership also features running back Kyren Williams, earning his second consecutive captaincy, and tight end Tyler Higbee, who returns to the role he previously held in 2023. Newcomers Davante Adams and Coleman Shelton are first-time Rams captains, with Adams bringing four prior captaincies from his stints with the Green Bay Packers and Las Vegas Raiders. Shelton, the veteran center, earns his first NFL captaincy, a testament to the respect he has quickly garnered from his teammates.
Defensive Pillars and Special Teams Stability
On defense, the Rams are led by a trio of established captains: defensive lineman Kobie Turner and safety Quentin Lake, both entering their third consecutive seasons as captains, and linebacker Nate Landman, now a two-time captain. Turner's rapid rise from rookie to defensive cornerstone has been one of the defining stories of the Rams' recent rebuild, while Lake has become a fixture in the secondary and the locker room.
The most eye-catching addition is Myles Garrett, the superstar edge rusher acquired in a blockbuster trade this offseason. Garrett, a captain with the Cleveland Browns in 2024 and 2025, immediately earned the trust of his new teammates, making this his third career captaincy. Cornerback Trent McDuffie, another newcomer from the Kansas City Chiefs, also earned his first NFL captaincy, signaling his swift integration into the Rams' defensive culture. Cardona, who previously captained the New England Patriots in 2024, rounds out the group, replacing Ethan Evans as the special teams representative.
"This is a group that understands what it takes to win at the highest level," said McVay. "Their teammates trust them, and that trust is the foundation of everything we're building."
A Historic Leadership Group with Super Bowl Aspirations
The Rams' 11 captains represent a historic milestone for McVay, who has coached the team since 2017. The previous high was nine captains in 2020, while the 2021 and 2023 teams each had eight. This year's group blends continuity with immediate influence, as Garrett and Cardona bring captaincy experience from other organizations, while Adams and Shelton add veteran savvy.
Notably, the captain list does not include defensive legend Aaron Donald, who returned to the team on Sunday after briefly retiring. Donald's presence, even without a captain title, further amplifies the leadership depth of this roster. With Super Bowl LXI set to be played at SoFi Stadium, the Rams have made their intentions clear. By naming 11 captains, they are signaling that this is a team built on collective leadership, ready to chase a championship in front of their home fans.
Looking to represent Matthew Stafford? Grab your Matthew Stafford jersey or design a personalized nfl jerseys at Vulius.
