The Los Angeles Rams have four huge decisions to make in free agency this year, all pertaining to starters who are set to hit the market. Dante Fowler Jr., Cory Littleton, Andrew Whitworth and Michael Brockers have all been key contributors in the last two seasons, but there’s a chance at least two or three of them won’t be back in Los Angeles.
As difficult as these choices will be, there are even bigger questions facing the Rams in 2021. And not to look too far ahead, but the front office better be sure to save some money for next offseason when six current starters will become free agents.
Let’s have a look at the key players whose contracts will expire after the 2020 season:
- CB Jalen Ramsey
- CB Nickell Robey-Coleman
- OLB Clay Matthews
- CB Troy Hill
- TE Gerald Everett
- WR Cooper Kupp
- S John Johnson
- WR Josh Reynolds
- OLB Samson Ebukam
As of now, the Rams are projected to have just $86.2 million in cap space in 2021, which may seem like a lot but only ranks 25th in the NFL. That’s because four players will take up a good chunk of the salary cap that year, leaving little money for everyone else.
The combined cap hits of Jared Goff, Aaron Donald, Brandin Cooks and Todd Gurley is about $90.3 million. With a projected cap of $209 million in 2021, according to Spotrac, that’s more than 43.1% of the Rams’ cap space.
Of course, moves can (and will) be made to create more room, but the expected contract extension for Ramsey will put another big dent in the Rams’ pockets. The same can be said for Kupp and Johnson, too.
Spotrac projects market value for top free agents, and according to their model, Ramsey’s next contract should be worth about $16.8 million per year, which would make him the highest-paid corner in the NFL. Incredibly, Kupp’s projected contract is worth $19.4 million per year, which would put him second among all wide receivers – a scenario that’s difficult to see happening for the Rams with Cooks and Robert Woods also on the books.
Matthews is almost certain to leave after his contract expires, and he could even be cut this offseason. Robey-Coleman has an option for $4.5 million in 2020, which the Rams will likely pick up to keep him around for another season. Everett could be shopped on the trade market this offseason after Tyler Higbee’s emergence, and the Rams won’t have much of a need to pay Reynolds if Kupp re-signs.
A lot of the decisions the Rams make this offseason will impact their position next year when all of their key players from the 2017 draft class hit free agency – in addition to Ramsey. So not only will they have to be financially smart for the upcoming season, but for their long-term future, too.