Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford says he feels like a rookie with his new team

IRVINE, Calif .– He certainly didn’t appear in the role during his first practice at training camp with the Los Angeles Rams, but after practice, quarterback Matthew Stafford said part of he felt like a recruit.

“It’s brand new,” said Stafford, who was traded to the Rams this offseason after 12 seasons at Detroit. “I go around trying to learn everyone’s name and who’s doing what and all that stuff. So trying to perform at a high level in that atmosphere is a challenge but I love it.”

Stafford appeared as a savvy veteran throughout Wednesday’s practice.

During team play, he landed a pass to receiver Cooper Kupp on the far sideline, then later found wide receiver DeSean Jackson through a broken defense for a deep touchdown pass that unleashed fans in attendance.

“He seems to be very comfortable here,” said Rams coach Sean McVay. “There are a lot of little nuances and we’re still figuring it out… but he’s definitely got a big mastery, and I think we can all feel it.”

Stafford joins an attack that returns seven starters, including tackles Andrew Whitworth and Rob Havenstein, receivers Robert Woods and Kupp and tight end Tyler Higbee. Third-year pro Darrell Henderson will start running after Cam Akers ruptured an Achilles tendon before training camp.

“The best part for me is that when I get into this group I call it a game, I have 10 other guys who are going to do their jobs as long as I can do my job,” said Stafford, who owns all -record of time spent in Detroit. “We’re going to be where we want to be, and it’s a lucky feeling for me as a quarterback to know that I have guys with a lot of responsibility, a lot of caucus experience with me.”

McVay said Stafford has “come to terms perfectly” with the Rams, but Stafford’s goal in early practice is to continue learning his new surroundings.

“I can sit in the classroom with Sean and all the other quarterbacks and these guys and just talk about it ad nauseum, but at the same time we have to come out here and play,” Stafford said. “I’m just trying to absorb it all and be as comfortable as possible, as fast as possible.”

The Rams acquired Stafford by trading quarterback Jared Goff, two first-round picks and a third-round pick to the Lions just two weeks after their 2020 season ended in a playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers.

The Rams are hoping Stafford, 33, will help reverse an offense that has been on the decline since a Super Bowl LIII loss to the New England Patriots and can propel the Rams to another Super Bowl run.

Stafford has two more seasons on a current five-year, $ 135 million contract.