Jared Goff can very easily relate to the likes of Mitchell Trubisky, DeShaun Watson and Pat Mahomes. It was just last year that the Los Angeles Rams' franchise quarterback was experiencing the grueling, probing circuit of pre-draft meetings and workouts that Trubisky, Watson and Mahomes just went through.

"I feel bad for these kids," Goff, the 2016 No. 1 overall pick, told reporters from the Rams facility. "I look back, even talking to some of these quarterbacks, I'm like, 'I feel you, I feel you. Just make it through. It's not fun, but it's ultimately worth your while.'"

It worked out for Goff monetarily, but the Rams are still waiting for it to pay dividends on the field.

In some respect, Tuesday marked the beginning of that pursuit.

A new beginning.

The Rams kicked off their veteran minicamp on Tuesday, which meant rookie coach Sean McVay was finally able to step on the field with his new team.

"It was great," McVay said. "You're quickly reminded why you love coaching so much."

Lamarcus Joyner (going from slot corner to free safety), Robert Quinn (defensive end to outside linebacker), Greg Robinson (left tackle to right tackle) and Rob Havenstein (right tackle to right guard) finally got to work out at their new positions. Left tackle Andrew Whitworth, wide receiver Robert Woods, outside linebacker Connor Barwin and cornerback Kayvon Webster began to play with their new teammates. And Goff executed several different throws, which marked his first official on-field preparation for the most important season of his life.

"About this time last year, I was probably at home," Goff, 22, said. "Now I’m here, practicing, getting reps, getting ahead. Makes a big difference."

The Rams benefitted from an additional veteran minicamp, albeit a voluntary one, due to the collective bargaining agreement's stipulation for teams with first-year head coaches. Everybody was accounted for, though linebacker Mark Barron (shoulder) and safety Maurice Alexander (hip) were kept away from activity for precautionary reasons. At 31, McVay is the youngest head coach in the NFL's modern era. He's also replacing a man, Jeff Fisher, who was very popular with his players. But McVay's energy and enthusiasm seemingly have been infectious early on.

"He has a lot of confidence in what he does -- his scheme, his system," Havenstein said. "I think, so far, guys are really buying in. It’s an easy thing to do with him standing in front of the room and the confidence he gives out there. He’s very upbeat, very positive, and his coaching is excellent. I think a lot of guys are going to get a lot of good from it.”

McVay, who spent the last three years as the offensive coordinator in Washington, is expected to dramatically improve a unit that has finished last in the NFL in yards each of the last two years. But the Rams' higher-ups hope his demeanor will push more out of everybody on their roster. And they're ecstatic about the staff he has assembled, which includes more-experienced coaches to work with Goff and one of the game's best defensive coordinators in Wade Phillips.

Quinn feels the new staff has brought "a positive, different type of environment that I haven't really been around."

The Rams went 4-12 last year and have gone 13 seasons without a winning record, so they'll take their positives when they can.

"It’s just a different culture they bring and different expectations," Quinn said. "I think it’s not only exciting for me, but the guys in the locker room on both sides of the ball, offensively and defensively."

McVay will call his own offensive plays this season, but he has taken the time to get to know the defensive players, too. He spent the early part of practice with the defensive backs, then later told one of his coaches, "I gotta get used to being happy for the defense on a good play, too." His first practice, Goff said, "went better than maybe a lot of us thought it would."

The goal right now?

"Just stacking blocks," McVay said. "We’re looking for that daily improvement."