Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay has built a post-practice environment that blends veterans and rookies across units, in a locker room players call "the suburbs." This strategy nudges offense and defense toward natural interactions, aiming to boost onfield chemistry and off-field learning. The approach isn’t just roster management; it’s a structured culture shift designed to maximize development and cohesion as the season unfolds.

Puka Nacua’s rookie experience under this system exemplifies the model: surrounding him with Rob Havenstein and Ahkello Witherspoon created real-time learning moments after practice, from technique talk to matchup breakdowns. Braden Fiske benefited similarly, sitting between Cooper Kupp and Tyler Higbee, where diet and routine adjustments learned in offseason conversations translated into practical gains. The suburbs concept centers on cross-pollination, not position silos, and McVay argues that this departs from offense vs. defense segregation toward mutual appreciation and growth.

The locker room as a learning lab helps the Rams develop depth and leadership while preserving chemistry that helped sustain their success. For fantasy managers, that chemistry can translate into steadier target distribution and clearer roles as rookies mature and veterans mentor them. In short, the Rams’ off-field culture is as much a strategic asset as their playbook.

Seven Rams cleared for practice this week—Kobie Turner, Nate Landman, Kam Curl, Ahkello Witherspoon, Poona Ford, Kevin Dotson and Mark Redman—with Stetson Bennett and Terrance Ferguson also nearing a return. Stafford’s availability remains murky, so coach McVay plans to ease the offense back in, resting most starters for the upcoming tilt vs. the Chargers. The team shifts focus to a joint Saints practice on Thursday, while depth pieces and TE competition (Redman, Castles) aim to bolster the final two preseason games. Overall health looks improved versus last season, painting a clearer path to a productive camp finish and a sharper regular-season roster.

Countdown to kickoff: 25 days until Pittsburgh faces the Jets at MetLife and the No. 25 jersey sits at the center of the spotlight. DeShon Elliott is the current No. 25 wearer for the Steelers, signed on a two-year deal in 2024 and already making an impact as one of the team's top tacklers on run defense. The No. 25 lineage on Pittsburgh runs back to a handful of notable safeties since 2020: Elliott (2024–present), Desmond King (2023), Eric Rowe (2023), Ahkello Witherspoon (2021–2022), and Antoine Brooks Jr. (2020).

Arguably the most storied No. 25 in Steelers lore is Ryan Clark, whose hard-hitting eight-year run helped anchor a feared defense that celebrated a Super Bowl XLIII victory. Clark earned a lone Pro Bowl nod in 2011 and remains a touchstone for the franchise’s identity in this jersey’s history. The piece ties the No. 25 thread to the present day, underscoring Elliott’s role as a potential catalyst for a defense aiming at a deep playoff run in 2025.

For fantasy anglers, Elliott’s presence bolsters the Steelers’ safety floor, with upside for tackles and occasional big plays in a defense that thrives on pressure and turnover opportunities. The No. 25 history also hints at burst potential from other safeties who wore the number in shorter stints, reminding managers to monitor back-end depth that can create weekly streaming options.

As the Jets game nears, the No. 25 tradition is more than a backstory; it signals a defense built on physical play and versatility at safety. That legacy could translate to meaningful fantasy signals in the right matchups, especially against teams that deploy heavy run games or frequent deep shots, making the No. 25 lineage a quiet edge for savvy rosters.

Ahkello Witherspoon, the 30-year-old cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams, finds himself as the most veteran player in a secondary that remains unchanged since their playoff run in 2022. Having entered the league in 2017, Witherspoon reflects on the unpredictability of NFL careers, notably the difficulty in securing a second contract. Over his eight seasons, he has played for the San Francisco 49ers and the Pittsburgh Steelers before joining the Rams on a one-year deal. Despite a productive previous season that included three interceptions, he was still a free agent at the start of the 2024 season, highlighting the volatility and competition within the league.

Witherspoon's experience is complemented by 32-year-old Darious Williams, marking the Rams' secondary as a blend of experience and youthful talent, including emerging players like Cobie Durant and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. As the Rams gear up for the upcoming season, Witherspoon's leadership and insight will be pivotal as they look to strengthen a defense that aims to build upon their past successes.