Sean McVay said the Rams expect to keep leaning on both Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, signaling that the early-season backfield split should continue through the 2026 season.
Through the first two weeks of the year, Williams and Corum have taken nearly the same amount of carries, a notable shift for a Rams offense that has typically benefited when both backs can stay involved. McVay said the team likes having two backs who can spell each other and keep the rushing attack productive.
Two backs, one plan
Williams handled 23 carries for 54 yards in Week 1 and 11 carries for 41 yards in Week 2. Corum had 10 carries for 79 yards in the opener and 12 carries for 85 yards the following week. The numbers do not mean the players are used in exactly the same way, but they do show the Rams are comfortable distributing the workload across two runners.
That approach fits what McVay said about the group. He praised Williams as valuable in both phases and said Corum has been just as important, with running backs coach Ron Gould helping the unit stay balanced. Offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase also said the Rams do not flinch regardless of who is on the field, because both runners can create plays even when the blocking is not perfect.
For Corum, the workload is another sign that his role is growing in Year 3 alongside Williams. The two have spent two previous seasons together in the same backfield, and their relationship has clearly carried beyond football.
More than a backfield partnership
That off-field bond has been part of the backdrop to the Rams' on-field usage. At the end of February 2026, Corum and his wife welcomed their daughter, Zara. During Rams Training Camp on Aug. 1, Williams said Corum showed him pictures or videos of Zara. Then on Aug. 6, Corum said he likes showing Williams photos or videos of his daughter.
Williams said the exchange says a lot about how their relationship has grown, and Corum said he has a lot of love for him and considers him one of the brothers he has learned from in his NFL years. In a backfield that already looks set to be shared, that kind of trust matters.
For the Rams, the message is straightforward. McVay believes the best version of the offense comes when Kyren Williams and Blake Corum are both involved, and the first two weeks suggest that plan is already in motion.
That usage also gives Corum added relevance for readers tracking the Rams' offense and, for fantasy managers, it makes him a name to watch in a committee setup. A broader look at that kind of role can be found in 2026 Fantasy Football Sleeper Running Backs: The Athletic’s draft kit adds backup tiers with Tank Bigsby and Blake Corum.
