Which Rams players are next in line for contract extensions after Goff?
By:
Cameron DaSilva | 37 minutes ago
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In an unexpected move Tuesday, the Los Angeles Rams agreed to terms on a four-year extension with Jared Goff, paying him $134 million with $110 million guaranteed. It was one of the last pieces of the puzzle in Los Angeles, joining Sean McVay and Les Snead in receiving new contracts this offseason.
But who could be the next domino to fall? The Rams have given out contracts during the season before, and quite a few players could receive extensions at some point soon.
Here are seven players who could be next in line for extensions either this year or after the season.
CB Marcus Peters
The likeliest player to receive a contract extension next is Peters. The Rams have remained quiet on this front for some time, but the same was true about Goff. For all we know, the Rams plan to sign Peters this week before the season opener. Not likely, but the front office also said Goff wouldn’t get a new deal until 2020.
Signing Peters now would come with some risk, but there could also be some benefits. His stock is relatively low right now after a shaky first season in L.A., so perhaps the Rams could get a slight discount before he becomes a free agent.
Aqib Talib’s contract will also expire after this season, so the Rams are thin on cornerbacks. Signing Peters to an extension should be on their priority list.
OLB Dante Fowler Jr.
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Fowler just signed a $14 million extension in March, so he won’t get a new deal before at least midway through this season. The Rams will probably let him play out the full 2019 season before considering an extension, but Fowler is clearly someone the coaches and front office love.
A big season will drive his price up, potentially out of the Rams’ range after giving Goff a four-year extension. However, the Rams aren’t exactly set at outside linebacker beyond this season. Fowler could provide some stability, though at a high cost.
ILB Cory Littleton
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Linebacker is one of the Rams’ weakest positions, and it looks even worse when you take Littleton out of the equation. That could be a realistic scenario in 2020, when Littleton is set to become a free agent. He’s been paid very little up to this point after going undrafted in 2016, earning $3.1 million this season after making no more than $630,000 in any year previously.
Littleton is an important piece of the defense and special teams unit and seems like someone the Rams would love to keep around. The trouble with that is the possibility of Littleton wanting to test the market and make as much money as possible next offseason. If the Rams can sign him to an extension now, they might be able to save some money in the long run.
TE Tyler Higbee
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Higbee is an underrated candidate for a new contract. If Everett doesn’t show that he can be an unquestioned No. 1 tight end, the Rams might re-up Higbee and continue with this committee approach until Everett’s deal runs out. Higbee won’t break the bank for the Rams, either.
He doesn’t receive much recognition or praise, but Higbee is an important piece of the offense. He’s good in pass protection, is a willing blocker in the running game and has the body type of a real red zone weapon – albeit, with unsure hands.
Don’t be surprised if the Rams re-sign Higbee before his contract expires in 2020.
RG Austin Blythe
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Blythe was a quality starter last season at right guard despite working through some ups and downs over the course of the year. The Rams have some questions on the offensive line coming up with Andrew Whitworth likely retiring after this season and Joseph Noteboom potentially sliding over to left tackle, so keeping Blythe beyond this season might not be a bad idea.
If he doesn’t sign an extension, he’ll be a free agent in March. He’s not a player who’s going to break the bank unless he breaks out in 2019, but Blythe is a solid player who can alleviate some headaches up front by returning.
WR Cooper Kupp and SS John Johnson
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Kupp and Johnson are linked together because they can’t technically sign new contracts right now. They’re eligible for extensions after this season, based on rules in the CBA. However, both players figure to be in the Rams’ long-term plans so signing them sooner rather than later would be a smart move.
The safety market erupted this offseason thanks to Earl Thomas, Kevin Byard, Tyrann Mathieu and Landon Collins, so the line has been set for Johnson. Wide receivers will continue to get paid each year, so getting ahead of the curve with Kupp is something the Rams should consider. He’s an important part of the offense, as evidenced by the eight games he missed last year.
The Rams could look at Marcus Peters and Cory Littleton next for contract extensions.
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