Yesterday, I wrote about the Rams captain classes from previous seasons
. Now, its time to predict who the Rams will choose for their 2026 season. The Rams value a strong locker room and have a number of candidates who appear worthy of wearing the “C” on their uniform. The players will cast their votes, but who do you want to see leading the locker room on and off the field? Here is a player-by-player case for the likely candidates…Matthew Stafford, QB
Easy vote. Stafford has been a captain since he walked in the door
in 2021. This will be his sixth year as a Rams captain; consistently giving leadership to the offense and locker room.
Verdict: 2026 Captain
Kyren Williams, RB
Kyren got his first taste as a captain in 2025 and should likely get the chance again in 2026. The Rams starting running back has been a pretty vocal player in the last 2-3 years and the Rams have used him for some of their Australia previews.
Verdict: 2026 Captain
Puka Nacua, WR
Puka has yet to be a captain in his Rams tenure. Will year 4 finally be it? The off field antics certainly haven’t helped his case, but maybe checking in for therapy could bring a new side…
Verdict: Misses Cut
Davante Adams, WR
After being last season’s big acquisition, Adams was undergoing another transition late in his career. He has been a captain four times (2021 – 2024), both with the Green Bay Packers and Las Vegas Raiders. With his mentorship of players like Konata Mumpfield, I think he stands more of a chance to be voted as a captain than Puka Nacua.
Verdict: 2026 Captain
Tyler Higbee, TE
Higbee is an interesting case. He was voted as a captain in 2023 but that is the only year in which he has held captaincy in his 10 year career. I would have expected him to hold that role in 2024 and 2025 with the team being so young but surprisingly he was not.
Verdict: Misses Cut
Kevin Dotson, OL
With Rob Havenstein no longer on the team, the Rams are likely to choose at least one offensive lineman for their leadership as they have had one every year since 2017. Dotson has the energy for the role? But does he have the command? I think an interesting component could be the Rams making him a captain in hopes of re-signing him for beyond this season…
Verdict: 2026 captain
Coleman Shelton, OL
Shelton is the only other offensive lineman that could earn the nod. As the team’s center, their is a natural inclination to command and give direction. Does that translate beyond just the X’s and O’s? We’ll see…
Verdict: Misses Cut
Myles Garrett, DL/EDGE
The Cleveland Browns media recently tried to throw Garrett under the bus by saying that he wasn’t always loved in the locker room by teammates. Is that true? Or is it just bitterness? I think Garrett’s chances hinge on the next guy…
Verdict: Misses Cut
Aaron Donald, DL
Well, well, well. Yes, Aaron Donald is on this list and I believe he comes out of retirement. Players on the team have advocated for him to return to play alongside of him – that carries a lot of weight…
Verdict: 2026 Captain
Kobie Turner, DL
If Aaron Donald returns, you would think that it could hurt Kobie Turner’s chances. But I’ll point to the 2020 captains that featured Michael Brockers and Aaron Donald. I believe Kobie is well-respected and a lock to be a captain again.
Verdict: 2026 Captain
Nate Landman, ILB
A captain in his first year should surely mean that Landman is a captain again. He wears the green dot on defense and should again in 2026.
Verdict: 2026 Captain
Trent McDuffie, CB
I think McDuffie will be a captain at some point in his Rams career, just not in year one. With so many other star names on the roster, McDuffie will just be asked to be the star cornerback they paid so much to acquire.
Verdict: Misses Cut
Kam Curl, S
Curl could be a dark horse candidate to make captaincy. If Lake is not a captain again in 2026, maybe Curl gets the nod?
Verdict: Misses Cut
Quentin Lake, S
Lake has been voted a captain the last two seasons. As a signal caller in 2024, he is not new to being thrust in a position of leadership.
Verdict: 2026 Captain
Ethan Evans, P
Evans was a first year captain in 2025. Harrison Mevis and Joe Cardona are the other two special teams pieces; giving Evans the initial edge. But there might be one other candidate for the special teams unit…
Verdict: 2026 Captain
Grant Stuard
Stuard was signed this offseason to give ammunition to a Rams special teams in desperate need of help. Stuard could bring a presence and energy that the team has not had since Cory Littleton.
Verdict: Misses Cut
2026 Captains
Matthew Stafford
Kyren Williams
Davante Adams
Kevin Dotson
Aaron Donald
Kobie Turner
Nate Landman
Quentin Lake
Ethan Evans
Nine captains is certainly on the high side but it happened in 2020. Eight is probably the betting favorite as the team had that many in 2021 and 2023. Regardless, the Rams are not short on candidates worthy of leading the roster on the field. Be sure to check The Feed for polls regarding who you think will be named a captain!
