The Rams had to play it fairly conservatively this offseason due to their cap situation, knowing they have some key players to pay next year before they hit free agency. The result was minimal free-agent signings, money-saving moves like cutting Todd Gurley and trading Brandin Cooks, and moving on from Nickell Robey-Coleman.
They’ll need as much money as they can get next year, especially if the salary cap drops like the NFL is preparing for it to. Unfortunately, they won’t have much cap space to carry over into 2021.
According to Field Yates of ESPN, the Rams only have $3.9 million in cap space after Thursday’s opt-out deadline. Chandler Brewer was the only Rams player to opt out, so they didn’t save much money at all by players sitting out the season.
Their $3.9 million in cap space is the third-lowest in the NFL, ahead of only the Raiders and Bucs.
Cap space post opt-outs (24-32)
24. DAL: $9,903,486
25. NO: $7,821,902
26. ATL: $7,434,223
27. BAL: $6,955,167
28. ARI: $5,619,862
29. PIT: $4,488,656
30. LAR: $3,898,396
31. LV: $3,292,623
32. TB: $1,391,927— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 7, 2020
There aren’t many ways for the Rams to create cap space, either, besides signing Jalen Ramsey to an extension or restructuring Aaron Donald’s contract. Les Snead and the front office have their work cut out for them, especially when next offseason rolls around.