Terrance Ferguson says his second season with the Rams is about more than simply catching passes. The tight end wants to be involved in every part of the offense, from blocking in the run game to lining up in different spots and helping as a target when the ball is in the air.
That is an important development for the Rams as they prepare to open the 2026 season against the 49ers in Australia on Thursday. Ferguson showed flashes last season, finishing with 11 receptions for 231 yards and three touchdowns, and he was on the field at least 30% of the offensive snaps in all but one game from Weeks 6-17. Now the expectation is that his role can grow again.
Ferguson: 'I feel a lot better about it'
Ferguson said the biggest difference in Year 2 is the comfort he now has in the system.
"I feel a lot better about it," Ferguson said. "One, just the time I had under the system, you get to learn a lot more. You get to dive into why you're doing things, and that really helps me out. But also, I've been asked to play every position, right? So for me, it's not understanding just what one position does, but knowing what every skill position has to do on every play, pretty much because of our personnel variety and how we work that, it just kind of has given me a wider grasp of the offense."
That wider grasp matters because the Rams ask tight ends to do a little of everything. They need to contribute as blockers on run plays and also work as targets in the passing game, and Ferguson appears increasingly comfortable handling both sides of that job.
Why the Rams value his versatility
Sean McVay has been clear about why Ferguson has a chance to become even more important. After the team's joint practice with the Saints on Aug. 20, McVay said Ferguson is smart, versatile and has had a nice camp.
McVay has also stressed how much the tight end has taken on already. "He plays every single skill position except for halfback for us," McVay said, adding that some of the things Ferguson does overlap with the responsibilities of the backs.
"He's so smart," McVay said. "I think what can't be misunderstood or minimized is how smart this guy is."
That intelligence is part of what makes the Rams so confident in expanding his usage. Ferguson is not only learning the offense; he is being trusted to handle more of it.
A bigger role in the run game
Ferguson was direct about where he wants that growth to show up next.
"I did some of that last year as well," he said. "But I think one of my best things coming out of college was some of the underneath stuff that I did and yards after catch and being able to bring that to this offense as well, and just kind of expanding what I can do. I'd like to be part of the run game as well.... So being able to be a part, a factor in the run game, being at the point of attack, and being a weapon where I can be used all the way outside, in-line whether that's blocking duo or whether it's anything. I just want to be involved in all aspects of the game."
That is exactly the kind of answer Rams coaches want to hear. A tight end who can work underneath, create after the catch and still do the dirty work in the run game gives the offense more options on different downs and in different personnel groups.
What comes next for Ferguson
McVay also pointed to the support Ferguson has in the room, with leadership and learning around him from Scott Huff, Tyler Higbee and Colby Parkinson. He said Ferguson has "really had a nice camp" and that he has been impressed, not surprised, by what he has done.
Matthew Stafford has noticed the same thing, saying the difference this year is Ferguson's comfort within the system and where he fits.
For the Rams, that is a promising sign. If Ferguson's second season becomes one where he is trusted more often in the run game, on the line and as a matchup target, he could become one of the more useful pieces in the offense when the 2026 season begins on Thursday.
