Rams' Kyren Williams 'Excited' to Return Punts amid Criticism: Can 'Make More Plays'

Kyren Williams is excited about a return to special teams.

The Los Angeles Rams running back will get an opportunity to return punts in 2024 while also manning starting duties in the backfield. The 24-year-old cited playmaking opportunities as a positive.

"Being who I am, like you just said, I get to make more plays," Williams said, per Stu Jackson of TheRams.com. "And so I feel like that's just going to be able to show everybody else what more I can do in this game of football, being able to play a lot of green grass and have a lot of space and get good blocks from my jammers up front, get those punts started. But I'm excited to just to be able to show another phase of football that I can play."

Rams coach Sean McVay said that he "felt comfortable" allowing Williams to log some special teams opportunities due to his confidence in depth running backs Blake Corum and Ronnie Rivers. They could potentially fill in for Williams in some early drive sequences if needed and Williams could shift some focus towards giving Los Angeles some strong field position.

This contrasts with the strategy Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys are taking, as McCarthy said that running back Rico Dowdle will have a "lesser role" on special teams due to "workload focus."

Williams has 228 carries for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023, earning a Pro Bowl selection for his efforts. The third-year tailback had just three punt returns and one kick return in 2023.

The Rams will open up the 2024 season on Sept. 8 against the Detroit Lions.