Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams has made quite the impact for his team already in his short career, recording back-to-back seasons of 1,100-plus yards and a total of 26 touchdowns the last two years.
But in his mind, that's nowhere near his ceiling.
"Everything," Williams said recently of what he feels he could improve, via RG.com. "I don't feel like I've touched my peak yet. I've gotten to where I wanted to be, but I'm determined to make this my best season."
Drafted by the Rams in the fifth round in 2022, Williams was buried on the depth chart his rookie year, but with the reduced usage and then trade of Cam Akers the next year, Williams stepped up. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2023 with a 1,144-yard, 12-touchdown showing, and then improved on both numbers in 2024 with 1,299 yards and 14 TDs.
Though he didn't earn a Pro Bowl accolade for the latter season, Williams brushed off what others might see as a snub, instead focusing on how he can continue to improve in his fourth campaign and onwards.
"I don't think anything differently played a part. I was a Pro Bowler and I wasn't in 2024," Williams said. "It wasn't my time, just got to get back to the drawing board and figure out how I can get back to where I was."
If Williams is correct that he has even better days ahead, this season would certainly be a good time for a further breakout. The running back is entering the last year of his rookie contract with the Rams, and could improve his value for either an extension or on the open market with a career-best performance in 2025.
But even as Williams seeks to reach the pinnacle of his own individual potential, he's also looking forward to paying it forward to younger teammates.
Williams was the RB1 last year and is set to fill that role again, but in 2024 he was backed up by then-rookie back Blake Corum, who had a modest 207 yards in that role. And then the Rams went to the draft to supplement the position group again this last week, adding Auburn's Jarquez Hunter in the fourth round.
But even though their presence will likely take away some snaps from Williams, the 24-year-old welcomes the opportunity to give them the veteran leadership he was the recipient of when in their position.
"I've been in the league since I was 21 years old," Williams said. "...Being able to be surrounded by the type of vets that I was surrounded by earlier in my career, it makes it easier. It makes it exciting to be a young leader, I can take these guys underneath my wings and show them the way.
"...Once I was able to get to where I'm at, it's only right that I put it on the people who are going to be after me. I'm just going to take from the mistakes and everything that I learned from my work here to where I'm at now, try to put them on game, just be cheerful and be happy for them for whatever they do."
After the Rams finished with the 24th-ranked rushing offense in 2024, Williams will be hoping personal bests and team success can go hand-in-hand in the year ahead.
