Rams QB Gabriel Cunningham: “We know that we`re such a great team”

For a team playing its first game in league history, the result was disappointing. Cunningham, however, left the field focused less on the scoreboard and more on the lessons the Rams must learn moving forward.

Gabriel Cunningham battles through a difficult AFLE debut

The opening game of the 2026 season was never comfortable for the Rams. Technical delays pushed kickoff back by more than two hours, and both teams struggled with rhythm throughout a penalty-filled contest that featured over 240 penalty yards combined.

Cunningham felt the lack of sharpness immediately.

“We started off very shaky. Very, very shaky,” he said after the game. “Pretty much the whole game was really shaky.” The 30-year-old quarterback did not try to hide behind excuses. Instead, he pointed directly at the team’s preparation during the week. “It was evident that it was our first game,” Cunningham explained. “We definitely had the first game jitters.”

He continued: “This week of practice didn’t go as smoothly as we wanted. If we slack on practice throughout the week, it’s gonna happen throughout the game. You’re going to play how you practice.”

That honesty reflected the mindset of a player who has spent years competing across Europe, Brazil, Mexico and the United States. Before joining the Rams, Cunningham built a reputation as a mobile quarterback capable of creating explosive plays both through the air and on the ground.

Two rushing touchdowns highlight Cunningham’s playmaking ability

Even during an inconsistent offensive performance, Cunningham remained the biggest threat on the field for Alpine.

According to the official game recap, he scored both Rams touchdowns on the ground and repeatedly challenged Berlin’s defense with his mobility.

Whenever the pocket collapsed, Cunningham found ways to extend plays and keep drives alive. His athleticism was one of the few constants for an offense still trying to build chemistry in real game situations.

What stood out even more was his reaction to adversity. “Everything was against us,” Cunningham said while discussing the flow of the game. “So we had to lock in and try our best no matter what.”

The quarterback was visibly frustrated with several calls during the game but emphasized the need to keep fighting. “When we realized that we had to fight against the odds, against what was going on, I tried to take matters into my hands a little bit.”

That mentality helped prevent the game from turning into a blowout despite Berlin controlling large stretches of the contest.

Growing connection with receiver Benjamin Lolmede offers hope

One bright spot for the Rams was Cunningham’s connection with wide receiver Benjamin Lolmede, who delivered one of the biggest plays of the game with a 70-yard reception.

Asked about their chemistry, Cunningham immediately praised his teammate. “He had receiving yards today. That’s not regular,” he said with a smile. “Normally he’s a possession receiver. He’ll get the ball, he’ll go down or go out of bounds.”

The quarterback then highlighted the explosive play that energized the offense. “[…] He had a big catch, big yards, 70 yards. So he’s a baller.”

For a new franchise still searching for offensive consistency, that partnership could become one of the most important storylines of the season.

Why Rams fans should stay patient after Week 2

The Rams are now 0-1, but Cunningham’s postgame message remained confident rather than discouraged. “I’m actually glad that this happened,” he said. “Because we know that we’re such a great team. But it was just simple, small mistakes.”

The Rams knew entering the AFLE that building a new team would take time. Cunningham’s leadership, experience and ability to produce big plays already look like valuable foundations for the franchise. If the offense cleans up the penalties and execution issues that hurt them against Berlin, the Rams could quickly become a much tougher opponent in the weeks ahead.

And Cunningham had one final message for Rams supporters after the franchise’s historic first game: “Keep coming. Don’t give up on us.”