Exactly, they'll receive a large upfront chunk with first/second year hits being quite reasonable
Potential WR Trade Targets
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Well, this doesnt seem to comprehend how contracts are written:
"That space disappears fast.
I read $83 mil avail.,
Puka 40
BY 30
Kobie 30
Avila Dotson McClendon 20 each
Shelton 12-14.."
Because they way all contracts are written with signing bonus and void years, the impact in '27 for re-signing all of those players would easily fit inside the 83 mill availability
But then you have to look at the downstream impacts.
For example.. Watson has a 7 mil hit this year, but 22 next.
Much like the draft.. you don’t only think about one year with contracts.
I agree with the evaluation angle. But I think they have a decent path to another WR next season. There's a decent chance their 2nd round pick is used at that position. Also, they've shown a willingness, maybe even a preference, to spend money at that position, so I wouldn't rule out a free agent.
Agreed. Ferg WAS the #3 option going into the season, but he was Stafford's 2nd favorite target based on snaps/target. His return will be huge.
Thats silly, all contracts are written that way. There is no downstream its the cost of keeping your team competititve.
These are merely 1st extensions where restructures cant get added down the road to further assist keeping the player
Bottom line is with the cap space they appear to have, they can easily keep their core together even with the number of potential free agents
That's accounted for. Tony Pastoor's does all the contracts and negotiations. He varies contracts so they don't get high cap $$ hits at the same year. He and his group are one of the best at doing this. They use computer models.
- The Rams utilize an in-house analytics and scouting database called JARS to track player evaluations, roster traits, and market values.
Bills come due.
Do the math.. look at one example given
His hit next year is 22 mil.. 5 mil OVER his AAV.
You mention Tutu having a decent season here, but most are forgetting that he was the #3 WR in 2024 in terms of receptions and yards. As you note, he wasn't a scoring threat, but I believe that's offset by his speed, which opens up the underneath stuff for others.
I'm not opposed to a trade for Downs, but if they decide to feature Ferg and resume with Tutu's 2024 role, I think they'll be fine.
Just to build on the good points made by @dieterbrock and @Ram65.
Good players sometimes come-off the books before contracts expire, when most of the guaranteed-$ is gone. For example, it's highly unlikely Ford will play on the final year of his contract in 2027, when releasiing him will create more than $9M of additional cap space, and result in less than $2M in Dead-$.
I am going to step-out now because it's the middle of the 2026 Season; and, although disappointing thus far, the Rams are playing meaningful games in November (that was Not-the-Case for most of the 1990s and the deacde-plus before McVay). For me, this just Ain't the Time.
Good players sometimes come-off the books before contracts expire, when most of the guaranteed-$ is gone. For example, it's highly unlikely Ford will play on the final year of his contract in 2027, when releasiing him will create more than $9M of additional cap space, and result in less than $2M in Dead-$.
I am going to step-out now because it's the middle of the 2026 Season; and, although disappointing thus far, the Rams are playing meaningful games in November (that was Not-the-Case for most of the 1990s and the deacde-plus before McVay). For me, this just Ain't the Time.
Both McDuffie's and Watson's contracts are set up in such a way that they can free up plenty of money in 2027, if necessary.
At some point, Stafford retires and the QB will be Simpson. When that happens, they'll have several inexpensive years at the QB position, allowing them to spend more on the other positions. Point being, kicking the can down the road to 2028 and beyond is an option they will likely exercise.
I just wanna point out on here that I am not personally against structuring aggressively.
But I think there are limitations to that, especially with this organization.
For example, last year, I was bamboozled that they didn’t move money around to get better cornerbacks in.
They have tended to be more conservative in recent years with the overall salary cap. More aggressive than many, but definitely not the most aggressive.
But I think there are limitations to that, especially with this organization.
For example, last year, I was bamboozled that they didn’t move money around to get better cornerbacks in.
They have tended to be more conservative in recent years with the overall salary cap. More aggressive than many, but definitely not the most aggressive.
Back on the trade front. i like @jrry32 idea. As a lower cost option is trading for Keenan Allen. If the Rams do a trade this won't hurt their draft capital nearly as much. He is a bigger target. He has great hands and could be a solid 3rd down short target. This will allow Puka to run deeper intermediate routes. Pick your 3 WR for 11P. i would go with Tutu as he would open up the other two with deep clear routes. Allen still has something in the tank.
I'm not opposed to flexing Ferguson out when he comes back as a 3WR. That would be 3 big targets. I posted before the Rams are running 13P around 32% of the time. I think 11P was 57% or so. When schedule gets tougher the Rams are going to have to spread the field and give Stafford other options so Puka doesn't get overused.
I'm not opposed to flexing Ferguson out when he comes back as a 3WR. That would be 3 big targets. I posted before the Rams are running 13P around 32% of the time. I think 11P was 57% or so. When schedule gets tougher the Rams are going to have to spread the field and give Stafford other options so Puka doesn't get overused.
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No team was more aggressive with the salary cap than the Rams this offseason. If Stafford commits to another year, they may be just as aggressive this upcoming offseason to go for it again.
Different type of “aggressive”..
the only contract they played with was Lake’s. They restructured him.
They WERE aggressive in restructure for Watson, Garrett & McDuffie.
All those jump some in 27, and Garrett has a big jump in 28.
There’s the other stuff.. how much the RFA players get.. 2nd round tender, which you’d expect for Wallace, gives him an almost 5 mil raise.
You’re not keeping everyone.
But you’re not losing everyone.
Between Dylan McMahon, Limner & Trost they should have one starter.. and maybe even 2.
I don’t see a tackle on the roster to replace McClendon.
Entire WR room after Puka could be replaced.
Oh.. Speights is also RFA headed for a raise.
There aren’t a ton of cuts to be made, imo.
The Stafford thing is a real thing.
I guess I'm not sure what definition of "aggressive" you're using. They were very aggressive in 1st year cap hits for McDuffie, Watson, Lake, and Curl.
And the McDuffie, Watson, and Lake contracts are all structured in such a way that if they need to free up a lot more money in 2027, they can get it. Thus, jumps in 2027 are not concerning.
Their need for money is contingent on if Stafford is playing again or not.
I agree that they're not keeping or losing everyone, but I'd err on the side of status quo. They've never made drastic moves on offense, such as replacing an entire WR room. I only see that happening if Stafford retires and they need to rebuild the offense for Simpson.
It's really too soon to speculate because everything hinges on Stafford.
I guess I’m talking restructures.. dead money and future dead money.
There’s no WR worth keeping, imo.
Key word: imo. I strongly doubt the Rams share your opinion. It's very unlikely they make huge changes to the OL and WR rooms. That would be hard to do.