2026 Financials: Los Angeles Rams

[RamBall]

I dont see Stafford playing for another team, he may retire, but I just dont see anywhere that would give him a better shot at another ring. Would love to see him commit to at least 1 more season, but totally understand if he decides to retire and spend time with his family.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

And not a whole lot of needs at that. They can probably sign a single veteran corner and maybe a deep threat receiver. And then target the rest in the draft.

Nah we have needs if we want to win another Lombardi.

 

[OldSchool]

Not really, with 2 first round picks a 2nd and 3rd rounder, they would all slot higher than the 40 listed
Last year #13 pick 1st year cap hit was 4 mill, #29 pick 3.5 mill, figure another 3 mill for the 2nd and 3rd round pick, that 10.5 mill for 44 players and the last 7 even with rookies and low cost vets its another 5-6 mill

Spotrac says if they aren't replacing a player the rookie class at current picks is just under $17 million. And without players signed the rookie class takes us to the top 51.

 

[Ram_Rally]

Nah we have needs if we want to win another Lombardi.

Certainly. But not a crazy amount of them.

 

[Merlin]

Well if money was an issue last off-season, Stafford coming off of an MVP level season probably all but guarantees they'll need to renegotiate. Maybe the Rams are more comfortable this time around based on what they saw this year.

I agree the Rams want him to return. But given the way last offseason went there is undoubtedly a point where his expectations on compensation might not be compatible with what the Rams want to do. Hope we don't hit that point, but we'll see.

 

[Ram_Rally]

Stafford may want more money - but at this point in his career winning a super bowl would seem more of a motivating factor.

The two teams that tried to get him last year went 6-28.

He likely could still be deciding how he wants to approach this offs

Very true. I don't expect last year's drama. But I'm guessing a pay raise is coming. Next I'm wondering (they'll cross this bridge when they do) if Stafford is thinking year by year, or if he's looking for more of a 3 year extension.

 

[Ram_Rally]

I agree the Rams want him to return. But given the way last offseason went there is undoubtedly a point where his expectations on compensation might not be compatible with what the Rams want to do. Hope we don't hit that point, but we'll see.

I think this might come down to a years on the contract issue. You can tell Stafford loves playing football. I won't be surprised if he wants a multi year commitment.

 

[TXRams86]

As I think more and more about how McVay and Stafford approached the post game presser, I'm wondering if there was a sense that this might be his last rodeo. Stafford was rightfully pissed off, completely dismissed the question about whether he'd be coming back or not and McVay was ticked off to answer the question about him being back next season too. I really hope I'm wrong but the emotions, the things that were said wouldn't surprise me if they really needed this one for him before retiring. We were right there, a few plays away and we blew it. Each season is long and grueling (Stafford made it a point to hit on this in his interview) to get to that point and you have to wonder if Stafford wants to go through all that - especially after he played his heart out and the rest of the team let him down several times this season.

 

[PARAM]

Lot's of money to spend? What's the limit for signing Shaheed? Pay him whatever it takes to get him in here. He will do what the Rams thought Tutu would do when they drafted him. Plus he'd return punts and kickoffs.

 

[0311rams]

it's going to be a long off season.

 

[MansSearch]

Lot's of money to spend? What's the limit for signing Shaheed? Pay him whatever it takes to get him in here. He will do what the Rams thought Tutu would do when they drafted him. Plus he'd return punts and kickoffs.

He's a luxury as a special teams guy, but wow, maybe McVay could get even more out of him as WR? ChatGPT = "Analysts estimate his market value around 3 years, $46 million ($15.5 million per season) due to his elite performance as a returner and receiver."

 

[snackdaddy]

If it was me, I'd make Avila play on that cheap 4th year of his contract and show me what he can do. If he plays well in 2026 then I'd sign him.

Puka, Young, Turner and Avila are all eligible for extensions. Not sure they're gonna extend all 4. Puka's a no brainer. Avila could be the odd man out.

 

[Memento]

Puka, Young, Turner and Avila are all eligible for extensions. Not sure they're gonna extend all 4. Puka's a no brainer. Avila could be the odd man out.

I don't extend Young. He will be thirty by the time his extension kicks in. Too much risk when it comes to that.

One of Avila or Dotson have to be extended. We cannot go into 2027 with two new guards and potentially a new center (as Shelton's contract is running out, too).

 

[TXRams86]

I don't extend Young. He will be thirty by the time his extension kicks in. Too much risk when it comes to that.

One of Avila or Dotson have to be extended. We cannot go into 2027 with two new guards and potentially a new center (as Shelton's contract is running out, too).

I agree, Young would be the odd man out. Our offensive line is too important to the success of our team. We've had success drafting defensive ends and while Young is good, I don't think he's irreplaceable.

 

[PressureD41]

I agree Young should be the old man out... I think we also need to add size at DL also. Build from the inside out

 

[dieterbrock]

Extend them all IMO, they're all solid contributors and should be paid as such

 

[Memento]

Extend them all IMO, they're all solid contributors and should be paid as such

Can't pay everyone. You've got Nacua, Turner, Young, Avila, Dotson, McClendon, Davis Allen, Parkinson, Ethan Evans, Shelton, possibly Forbes, possibly extending Mevis, and I'm not even mentioning Stafford as well next year. The following year, you have to decide on Verse's fifth-year extension, plus Fiske, Kinchens, A-Jax, and Tyler Davis.

You can't extend everyone. The obvious ones like Nacua, Turner, and one of the two guards? Obvious. Do you extend Byron Young for four years, knowing he'll be thirty at the time of the extension? Do you extend McClendon for one year of production on the right side? Do you extend one of Parkinson or Allen?

And I haven't even gotten into free agency and our current free agents yet.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Can't pay everyone. You've got Nacua, Turner, Young, Avila, Dotson, McClendon, Davis Allen, Parkinson, Ethan Evans, Shelton, possibly Forbes, possibly extending Mevis, and I'm not even mentioning Stafford as well next year. The following year, you have to decide on Verse's fifth-year extension, plus Fiske, Kinchens, A-Jax, and Tyler Davis.

You can't extend everyone. The obvious ones like Nacua, Turner, and one of the two guards? Obvious. Do you extend Byron Young for four years, knowing he'll be thirty at the time of the extension? Do you extend McClendon for one year of production on the right side? Do you extend one of Parkinson or Allen?

And I haven't even gotten into free agency and our current free agents yet.

Over the next two off-seasons, I think Nacua, Turner, Young, Dotson, Avila, McClendon, Parkinson and Evans are all doable (i.e., re-signable). However, not expecting all to re-sign.

None HAVE to be re-signed this coming off-season (2026). Although, I think Nacua DESERVES an extension.

Also think it would be smart to extend Dotson and Parkinson one year early ($26.5M cap hit) because they are key starters, and extensions should create additional 2026 cap space.

Finally, think it would be forward-thinking to try and extend McClendon one year early.

Personally, I would be reluctant to spend big in League-wide Free Agency this off-season. Although the need at cornerback is great, the market seems limited. That means good corners could be extremely over-paid.

As far as the Rams free agents, I like Curl and McCreary but for no more than $6-$8M AAV; and Garoppolo.
For me, the biggest guys to re-sign were Lake and Landman ... Last year, it was Jackson. Done and Done.

I did All the Above on Madden, so I know it works.

 

[DzRams]

I don't extend Young. He will be thirty by the time his extension kicks in. Too much risk when it comes to that.

One of Avila or Dotson have to be extended. We cannot go into 2027 with two new guards and potentially a new center (as Shelton's contract is running out, too).

I wouldn't extend Young either; I'd try to trade him now. But you're not correct on his age. He'll be 30 in the 2028 season. An extension would kick in the year before.

 

[Merlin]

I think we also need to add size at DL also. Build from the inside out

Yes I'd like a snot bubbler who can anchor in there and disrupt. I want this defense to have advantage on third and short, where there's a good chance they stuff it. Lee Hunter would be real nice.