OFFICIAL 2020 cuts, trades, and more

[Psycho_X]

When are we releasing Matthews?

Im not saying we won’t but he’s our only proven pass rush outside Donald at the moment. Unless they sign a different veteran rusher I expect him to stay on roster.

 

[RamDino]

When are we releasing Matthews?

Wouldn't the cap hit would be too big to release Matthews?

 

[OldSchool]

Wouldn't the cap hit would be too big to release Matthews?

Nah he would save us money. IIRC it was only $500k dead money but we save like $4.5 million. Something like that.

 

[Ram65]

Im not saying we won’t but he’s our only proven pass rush outside Donald at the moment. Unless they sign a different veteran rusher I expect him to stay on roster.

I think if the Rams were going to cut him it would be before free agency starts. It would give him the best opportunity to get a new deal. If the Rams told him there is a chance they may cut him and he said he would retire if cut they did it could wait. The Rams' organization seems to do the right thing and letting him go now would be the right thing to do if they are going to release him. Keeping Mathews was a 50/50 proposition to me.

 

[Kevin]

Nah he would save us money. IIRC it was only $500k dead money but we save like $4.5 million. Something like that.

Spotrac shows Matthews with $3.75 million in salary and a $2 million roster bonus due on March 20. I think we save all of it if he is released by March 20, but just the difference ($1.75 M) if released after March 20. If the Rams did not have Matthews in their plans I think they would have released him by now.

 

[fearsomefour]

I think if the Rams were going to cut him it would be before free agency starts. It would give him the best opportunity to get a new deal. If the Rams told him there is a chance they may cut him and he said he would retire if cut they did it could wait. The Rams' organization seems to do the right thing and letting him go now would be the right thing to do if they are going to release him. Keeping Mathews was a 50/50 proposition to me.

With Fowler and Littleton all but gone I think Matthews will stay for veteran leadership/pass rush and split playing time.
A projected LB Corp of Samson, Lawler, Oko, Howard, Reeder and a couple of others....a lot of youth there.

 

[RamsFanCK]

Was hoping that Fairbairn would be an option if the Rams lost out on Zuerlein...Oh well, just go ahead and sign GZ, but have a feeling Rams are going in another direction.

How about Taylor Russolino as a cheap replacement For GZ if it comes to that. He was 9/10 with a long of 58 in the 5 XFL games. Granted the long did come indoors, but his kicks were still true and centered.

That being said, GZ is still my first choice in a perfect world.

Hekker was horrible last year, but to Hekker standards. To NFL standards he was good. I don’t see him having an off year after what 5-7 years of domination?

seriously the guy broke his own NFL record. If I have to choose between him an GZ I'm choosing Hekker.
How about you two? Who would you keep?

Hekker easy. Not only is he a stellar punter who had an off year, the man is great at 4th down fakes. How many punters can even throw a spiral let alone an accurate ball.

Plus, he’s one of my favorite Rams period.

 

[Ram65]

With Fowler and Littleton all but gone I think Matthews will stay for veteran leadership/pass rush and split playing time.
A projected LB Corp of Samson, Lawler, Oko, Howard, Reeder and a couple of others....a lot of youth there.

I should have checked his contract. I think you are right about Rams keeping him. They got him cheap last year at $3.5 M but, will be paying him $5.75 M this year. I was wondering where that cost fits with other OLBers. A big jump from the top-level guy.
Considering the Rams have all young players on the cheap paying Mathews that much is not so bad as a veteran leader. However, it's money that could go to ILBer or O Line.

2020 Edge Rusher Contracts and Salaries | Over The Cap

Ranking the top NFL 2020 Edge Rusher contracts and salaries in the NFL

overthecap.com

2020 3-4 Outside Linebacker Salaries

Player	Team	Salary Cap Value	Cash Spent
Khalil Mack	Bears	$26,600,000	$17,200,000
Von Miller	Broncos	$25,625,000	$18,000,000
Chandler Jones	Cardinals	$21,333,333	$16,000,000
Za'Darius Smith	Packers	$17,250,000	$12,250,000
Matt Judon	Ravens	$16,266,000	$16,266,000
Preston Smith	Packers	$13,500,000	$9,500,000
Leonard Floyd	Bears	$13,222,000	$13,222,000
Whitney Mercilus	Texans	$12,000,000	$10,500,000
Ryan Kerrigan	Redskins	$11,687,500	$11,750,000
Bradley Chubb	Broncos	$7,437,611	$2,959,204
Anthony Chickillo	Steelers	$6,097,500	$5,000,000
Clay Matthews	Rams	$5,750,000	$5,750,000
Rashan Gary	Packers	$3,608,480	$1,216,696
Charles Harris	Dolphins	$3,450,356	$1,943,724
Brian Burns	Panthers	$3,077,314	$1,110,463
T.J. Watt	Steelers	$2,945,985	$1,727,565
Montez Sweat	Redskins	$2,645,741	$1,024,148
Samson Ebukam	Rams	$2,295,753	$735,000
Brennan Scarlett	Texans	$2,050,000	$1,875,000
Harold Landry	Titans	$1,836,461	$1,092,154
Tyus Bowser	Ravens	$1,774,053	$1,225,308
Ryan Anderson	Redskins	$1,694,230	$1,191,099
Lorenzo Carter	Giants	$1,113,677	$851,226
Zach Allen	Cardinals	$975,855	$690,171
Jaylon Ferguson	Ravens	$884,327	$658,500
Jordan Willis	Jets	$865,250	$865,250
Oshane Ximines	Giants	$827,195	$618,000
Tim Williams	Packers	$785,000	$785,000
Anthony Nelson	Buccaneers	$778,760	$585,000
Tarell Basham	Jets	$777,500	$777,500
Marquis Haynes	Panthers	$773,089	$660,000
Christian Miller	Panthers	$769,254	$585,000
Charles Tapper	Jets	$735,000	$735,000
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo	Rams	$728,634	$660,000

Jachai Polite

Rams

$510,000

$510,000

Justin Lawler

Rams

$603,435

$585,000

Jeff Holland $585,000

 

[fearsomefour]

I should have checked his contract. I think you are right about Rams keeping him. They got him cheap last year at $3.5 M but, will be paying him $5.75 M this year. I was wondering where that cost fits with other OLBers. A big jump from the top-level guy.
Considering the Rams have all young players on the cheap paying Mathews that much is not so bad as a veteran leader. However, it's money that could go to ILBer or O Line.

2020 Edge Rusher Contracts and Salaries | Over The Cap

Ranking the top NFL 2020 Edge Rusher contracts and salaries in the NFL

overthecap.com

2020 3-4 Outside Linebacker Salaries

Player	Team	Salary Cap Value	Cash Spent
Khalil Mack	Bears	$26,600,000	$17,200,000
Von Miller	Broncos	$25,625,000	$18,000,000
Chandler Jones	Cardinals	$21,333,333	$16,000,000
Za'Darius Smith	Packers	$17,250,000	$12,250,000
Matt Judon	Ravens	$16,266,000	$16,266,000
Preston Smith	Packers	$13,500,000	$9,500,000
Leonard Floyd	Bears	$13,222,000	$13,222,000
Whitney Mercilus	Texans	$12,000,000	$10,500,000
Ryan Kerrigan	Redskins	$11,687,500	$11,750,000
Bradley Chubb	Broncos	$7,437,611	$2,959,204
Anthony Chickillo	Steelers	$6,097,500	$5,000,000
Clay Matthews	Rams	$5,750,000	$5,750,000
Rashan Gary	Packers	$3,608,480	$1,216,696
Charles Harris	Dolphins	$3,450,356	$1,943,724
Brian Burns	Panthers	$3,077,314	$1,110,463
T.J. Watt	Steelers	$2,945,985	$1,727,565
Montez Sweat	Redskins	$2,645,741	$1,024,148
Samson Ebukam	Rams	$2,295,753	$735,000
Brennan Scarlett	Texans	$2,050,000	$1,875,000
Harold Landry	Titans	$1,836,461	$1,092,154
Tyus Bowser	Ravens	$1,774,053	$1,225,308
Ryan Anderson	Redskins	$1,694,230	$1,191,099
Lorenzo Carter	Giants	$1,113,677	$851,226
Zach Allen	Cardinals	$975,855	$690,171
Jaylon Ferguson	Ravens	$884,327	$658,500
Jordan Willis	Jets	$865,250	$865,250
Oshane Ximines	Giants	$827,195	$618,000
Tim Williams	Packers	$785,000	$785,000
Anthony Nelson	Buccaneers	$778,760	$585,000
Tarell Basham	Jets	$777,500	$777,500
Marquis Haynes	Panthers	$773,089	$660,000
Christian Miller	Panthers	$769,254	$585,000
Charles Tapper	Jets	$735,000	$735,000
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo	Rams	$728,634	$660,000

Jachai Polite

Rams

$510,000

$510,000

Justin Lawler

Rams

$603,435

$585,000

Jeff Holland $585,000

Forgot about Polite being in the fold.
With the LB signings during the season last year the Rams clearly were looking toward life without Fowler and Littleton in my opinion.
It pains me to see a home grown guy like Littleton leave at the peak of his talents.
It’s why I would be a terrible owner....I would overpay to keep players that were drafted/signed and developed. Hell, I’d still be paying Warner, lol.

 

[BonifayRam]

With "new guy" DC Brandon Staley most likely looking his current signed ER/OLB unit........

Samson Ebukam 25/4> 48 gms 21 starts
Justin Lawler 25/2> 15 gms 0 starts
Patrick Natrez 22/2> 12 gms 0 starts
Og Okoronkwo 24/2> 10 gms 0 starts
Josh Carraway 25/2> 1 gms 0 starts
Jachai Polite 21/1> 0 gms
Jeff Holland 24/2> 0 gms

Several top elements of concern is youth & very little to none NFL game experience. However, IMO this overall unit is NOT lacking in current & potential talent. If there was ever a unit in need of a 33 yr old former all pro who is trending downward in his long term career .....Clay Matthews would be a good player to lead it.

 

[OldSchool]

@Memento The dream is over for you.


View: https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1238897075355557889

 

[Merlin]

Spotrac shows Matthews with $3.75 million in salary and a $2 million roster bonus due on March 20. I think we save all of it if he is released by March 20, but just the difference ($1.75 M) if released after March 20. If the Rams did not have Matthews in their plans I think they would have released him by now.

I expected them to sort of hang on to him until they need that $2M, since he looked so good prior to his injury. At this point barring them really needing that extra space I'd keep him and there are other guys they could cut loose if and when they need more cap space like NRC.

 

[Memento]

@Memento The dream is over for you.


View: https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1238897075355557889

Now please excuse me while I cry in a corner for hours.

 

[OldSchool]

View: https://twitter.com/atlantafalcons/status/1238925216480407552?s=21



View: https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1238915817506590720?s=19



View: https://twitter.com/Lions/status/1238867615969349633



View: https://twitter.com/MikeGarafolo/status/1238867877815635969



View: https://twitter.com/brgridiron/status/1238867131971694592



View: https://twitter.com/rapsheet/status/1238851677492523008?s=21



View: https://mobile.twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/1238838499924758528



View: https://twitter.com/josinaanderson/status/1238820420318638080?s=21



View: https://twitter.com/ravens/status/1238804878165671936?s=21



View: https://twitter.com/fieldyates/status/1238816285288476672?s=21



View: https://twitter.com/FieldYates/status/1238646666602770432

 

[OldSchool]

View: https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1238903299753066497

 

[CGI_Ram]

How about Taylor Russolino as a cheap replacement For GZ if it comes to that. He was 9/10 with a long of 58 in the 5 XFL games. Granted the long did come indoors, but his kicks were still true and centered.

That being said, GZ is still my first choice in a perfect world.

Russolino was good. Hard to imagine he doesn’t get a hard look by some team(s).

 

[dang]

on the positive side the Rams have a lot of talent including youngsters who could be around for quite some time. On the negative side the window for the Rams team that made it to the Super Bowl is closed. A new window has been opened in the coaching staff which will result on how the Rams prepare for and execute. A new window will be opened on the roster meaning overpaid players will be replaced by effective but less compensated players. This will also allow the Rams to address positions of need and depth. That goes for Whit, Brock, Littleton, Fowler and GZ.

 

[den-the-coach]

Russolino was good. Hard to imagine he doesn’t get a hard look by some team(s).

Taylor Russolino is 31 this year, so that could factor in, however, teams will give him a look maybe now with more cap room, Rams bring back Zuerlein.