The Los Angeles Rams made the puzzling decision to move on from Nickell Robey-Coleman, declining his 2020 option on Tuesday. He’s now an unrestricted free agent, while the Rams will save $4.5 million in cap space.
Considering the way he’s played the last three years, this is a shocking choice by the Rams. Yes, their cornerback depth is strong, but Robey-Coleman was a valuable defender on a very cheap contract.
He was just as confused by the move as many fans were, speaking to Josina Anderson of ESPN after the new came down. He called it “bittersweet,” saying there’s no bad blood between him and the team as they go their separate ways.
Just got off the phone w/ Nickell Robey-Coleman: "It's bittersweet right now because I love the Rams…I don't really know why they moved on, but I'm grateful to be apart of something special. I was always in the playoffs w/ them, so no bad blood. Looking forward to a new start."
— ig: josinaanderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 17, 2020
Robey-Coleman has allowed a completion rate below 66% in each of the last two years, giving up just four touchdowns in coverage during that span. He’s an aggressive tackler and sticky in man coverage despite being undersized for the position.
Whoever signs Robey-Coleman in free agency is going to get a quality player at a relatively low price – and he’s still only 28 years old. The Rams could come to regret this decision if David Long and their other young cornerbacks can’t step up.
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