#LARams transaction: we’ve signed LS Steven Wirtel to a reserve/future contract.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) February 2, 2021
With free agency about a month and a half away, the Los Angeles Rams have begun to prepare for possible departures. On Tuesday, the team announced it has signed long snapper Steven Wirtel to a reserve/futures contract.
Wirtel is the second long snapper the Rams have signed to a reserve/futures deal, joining Colin Holba, who was added to the practice squad during the 2020 season.
These moves aren’t a coincidence with Jake McQuaide set to become a free agent in March. For a team that’s way over the salary cap right now, they need to save money wherever possible, including at long snapper.
McQuaide is as good as they come on special teams, making the Pro Bowl twice (2016 and 2017) and rarely has a bad snap. It’s an overlooked position, but McQuaide is a valuable part of the Rams’ special teams unit.
As for Wirtel, he was signed by the Lions as an undrafted free agent last offseason after playing at Iowa State in college. He didn’t appear in a game.