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Sean McVay’s first offseason with the Los Angeles Rams wasn’t completely smooth sailing. During the summer, he had to handle the absence of Aaron Donald, who skipped training camp as part of his holdout for a new contract. McVay said all the right things about Donald and his desire to sign an extension, but he’s probably hoping he doesn’t have to go through the same thing with Jalen Ramsey this year or next.
Ramsey is entering the final season of his rookie contract in 2020 before he becomes a free agent next offseason. Last year, he showed up to Jaguars training camp in a Brinks truck, and has made it abundantly clear that he wants to be paid like one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL.
He said this week that he’ll attend training camp this year with or without an extension, but according to an ESPN report from last year, all bets are off if Ramsey is tagged in 2021.
While the two sides haven’t yet agreed to a deal, there seems to be some progress. McVay spoke to reporters this week and said the Rams and Ramsey’s agent have talked a lot, but there have been some hurdles to overcome.
“There’s a lot of dialogue,” McVay said. “I think it’s really in that back-and-forth and trying to really communicate. There’s been so many things [that] have caused a different rhythm just based on the other stuff that we’re navigating through. So it’s hard for me to say exactly what the specifics of those conversations have entailed.”
McVay didn’t get into what has caused the “different rhythm” in these conversations, but it can be assumed that the coronavirus pandemic has thrown a wrench into things. Not only has it been impossible to hold in-person meetings, but there’s a chance the 2020 season will be altered in some way, too.
A loss in revenue with no fans in stadiums or a shortened season would likely lead to a lower-than-expected salary cap in 2021, which Los Angeles could be taking into account in these negotiations – especially given the team’s cap situation.
McVay wouldn’t take it personally if Ramsey did hold out, drawing off what he learned from Donald’s time away from the team two and three years ago.
“What I would say I’ve learned more so than anything over the first couple years that you have a perspective on now is it’s not personal. It really isn’t,” McVay said. “Aaron and I had a great relationship throughout. His not being there had nothing to do with our dynamic but just figuring out, all right, how do we come to a happy medium of how we agree upon being able to take care of your family based on the merit and production and understanding how we fit it all together as a team. So lot of layers. Ideally, you always want your guys there, but I don’t think you allow it to be a distraction. But those are things you certainly hope to avoid.”
Ramsey likely has his eyes set on a salary of at least $17 million per year on his next contract, raising the bar that Darius Slay and Byron Jones set this offseason at just under $17 million annually.
McVay was asked whether he thinks Ramsey could reset the cornerback market, and his answer wasn’t surprising.
“I think so. He’s established himself as an upper-echelon player since he got into this league,” he said. “I absolutely believe that’s something because of what he’s done on the field and I think the best is yet to come. I genuinely believe that about this guy.”
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