The most divided backfield we’ve seen in the Sean McVay era?
Sean McVay historically does not share running back work: Kyren Williams and Blake Corum seem ready to split the load
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 25: Blake Corum #22 of the Los Angeles Rams runs the ball during the second quarter of the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, at Lumen Field on January 25, 2026 in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) | Getty Images This year’s backfield split between Kyren Williams and Blake Corum could be the most shared workload we’ve seen over Sean McVay’s time with the Los Angeles Rams. It’s one of the most interesting dynamics across this refreshed roster.
In his early years, McVay seemed adamantly opposed to a shared backfield. Todd Gurley shouldered an outsized burden on his way to an Offensive Player of Award in 2017. The Rams ran Gurley’s wheels off, and 2019 concluded his career with the team.
Even as Gurley’s effectiveness dipped in his last season in Los Angeles, the Rams were committed to giving him a larger workload. By necessity LA varied its approach in 2020-2o22. Sony Michel, Darrell Henderson, Cam Akers, and Malcolm Brown all took turns to prove they were the guy, and ultimately none were successful in the long term.
The Rams returned to a stable backfield in 2023 a year removed from identifying Williams in the fifth round. LA loved Williams so much they drafted his clone in the third round of the 2024 class in Blake Corum. While Corum was relegated to the bench for most of the 2024 season before suffering an injury that held him out of the playoffs, he bounced back in a big way during his second year.