Turf Show Times
Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee is one of the longest tenured players on the team’s roster, quickly taking on a leadership role within the locker room upon his arrival in 2016. Higbee has been an official team captain for the last two seasons, so when head coach Sean McVay reached out to the veteran before the team drafted TE Terrance Ferguson in the second round of this past draft, it was natural that Higbee was ready and willing to embrace more of a mentorship role for the rookie.
Higbee said that was “a testament” to McVay after he reached out, because he didn’t have to give that heads up, but still did so out of respect. Despite being asked to essentially teach his potential successor everything he knows, the selfless 10-year veteran only seen what’s best for the team, immediately agreeing to help.
“(I) let him know if he needed anything from me, (I’d be) here for him,” Higbee recalled.
Higbee has been impressed with the rookie during the offseason. In the meeting room, Higbee said that Ferguson is willing to learn and has been “receptive to a lot of things”. On the flip side, Ferguson said that Higbee’s mentorship has helped him digest the offense quickly, and that he has been eager to share his knowledge.
“He’s showing some flashes of really good stuff,” Higbee said. “He’s gonna be a great ball player and getting him out here and doing it day in and day out. So it’s been special to have him and (he’s) a great dude and we’re excited to have him.”
Higbee has approached his mentoring of Ferguson with a positive mindset, the same positive mindset needed to recover from a major injury. After suffering a gruesome knee shot in the Rams 2023-24 Divisional loss to the Detroit Lions, Higbee was forced to miss last year’s training camp, as well as a large chunk of the regular season with a torn ACL and MCL.
Upon his return late in the 2024 season, Higbee’s impact was felt immediately. From Week 16 through the playoffs, Higbee scored three touchdowns in five games. He also totaled 12 catches, 112 yards and a touchdown in the team’s two post season games, leading the team in receptions and ranking second in yards and targets in the same time frame.
For his part, Higbee is grateful just to be back on the field for another camp, saying that he’s “feels great” heading into the 2025 campaign.
“It always gives you a different perspective when you’re out there and being able to do what you love,” Higbee said. “… You can’t replicate playing football. So getting out here, it’s always shaking off some rust and stuff, getting back into playing shape and (working on) techniques.”
Higbee has been looking really good in camp thus far, but that’s no surprise as he holds pretty much every team record for the position and is easily the Rams most decorated tight...
