While most other teams across the NFL have been working to get their rookies under contract all offseason – increasingly so with training camp around the corner – the Rams have yet to sign a single one of their 2020 draft picks. In recent years, the Rams have signed their rookies by the end of June. But as we all know, this isn’t a typical offseason.
We’re now approaching the end of July and some are wondering why Los Angeles has seemingly dragged its feet on this subject. There are a few possible reasons to explain why the Rams have waited longer than just about every other team.
The first of which is tied to the coronavirus pandemic, which has prevented teams from getting players into the building. There were no OTAs or rookie minicamp earlier this offseason, limiting players to working out on their own.
The Rams usually replace rookie minicamp with a financial literacy course for their draft picks, hoping to prepare them for the rigors of the NFL and the money they’re set to receive from their first professional contracts.
It’s not until after that financial advice class that the Rams sign their draft picks – a tradition set in place by Jeff Fisher when he was head coach. Considering the Rams couldn’t have that class in person this year, it’s possible they’re going to put rookies through it when they arrive for training camp this week or next.
Another factor could be the Rams’ salary cap situation, though it’s nothing that will prevent them from getting their rookies under contract. Before Todd Gurley’s contract came off the books on June 2, the Rams had less than $1 million in cap space – not even enough to sign their rookie class.
Now, they’re sitting on about $5.2 million in cap space, according to Over The Cap, which is enough to cover the expected $1.6 million the Rams need to sign their rookie class.
In all likelihood, it was probably a combination of all the above. The coronavirus pandemic prevented rookies from getting into the Rams’ facility, which probably caused the team to push its financial literacy class back to training camp. The added factor of Gurley’s contract not coming off the books until June 2 didn’t help, either.
This is nothing to be worried about because rookie contracts are all structured based on the CBA and wage scale, but it is interesting that the Rams are one of the only teams that hasn’t signed a single draft pick yet.
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