https://www.therams.com/news/rams-olb-dante-fowler-agree-to-terms-on-new-contract
Rams, OLB Dante Fowler agree to terms on new contract
Myles Simmons
In advance of the free agency period opening next Wednesday, the Rams have kept one of the best pass rushers off the market by agreeing to terms on a new contract with outside linebacker Dante Fowler. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Los Angeles acquired Fowler in a trade deadline deal on Oct. 30, sending a third and fifth-round pick to Jacksonville for Fowler’s services. The 2015 No. 3 overall pick was instrumental in the Rams’ run to Super Bowl LIII, recording 2.0 sacks, five quarterback hits, and four tackles for loss in the regular season, as well as 1.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits in the postseason.
Overall, Fowler has recorded 16.0 sacks, four forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 18 tackles for loss, and 27 quarterback hits in three regular seasons between Jacksonville and L.A. While Fowler missed his rookie season in 2015 after suffering an ACL tear during the Jaguars’ rookie minicamp, he’s since played each game for which he was eligible — including nine regular season and postseason starts for the Rams.
https://247sports.com/nfl/los-angeles-rams/Article/Rams-re-sign-Dante-Fowler-Jr--129947787/
Rams re-sign Dante Fowler Jr.
ByJordan Dajani
The Los Angeles Rams have had a busy offseason thus far, and they made another big move on the eve of free agency.
On Sunday night, the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that
Dante Fowler Jr. is headed back to rush the passer for the Los Angeles Rams.
According to Rapoport, Fowler signed a one-year $14 million deal, which is somewhat of a prove-it deal. The amount is close to what his fifth-year option would have been, and if he has a big year, he will be able to cash in next season.
Fowler recorded 15 total tackles and two sacks during his eight games with the Rams last season. While those numbers don't raise any eyebrows, it seems like Los Angeles is a place where he can thrive. He took his game to a new level in the playoffs, recording eight total tackles and 1.5 sacks. He also made a play that arguably got the Rams to the Super Bowl.
In overtime of the NFC Championship game, Fowler hit New Orleans Saints quarterback
Drew Brees as he attempted a pass, causing him to loft the ball high in the air and into the arms of Rams safety
John Johnson. Teams who win the coin toss in overtime usually win the game, but Fowler made sure that didn't happen.
The Rams traded for the former Jacksonville Jaguar at the trade deadline on Oct. 30. Just a couple of months removed from an AFC Championship appearance, the Jaguars were struggling in the early stages of the season, and so was Fowler. He wasn't a consistent starter or a focal point of the defense. He was also suspended for the first game of the season for"violating team rules and conduct unbecoming of a Jaguars football player."
Fowler told the Jaguars he wanted out, and with just 30 minutes remaining before the 4 PM ET trade deadline on Oct. 30, he finally got the change of scenery he desired.
"It's been a wild ride,"
Fowler told Ian Rapoport on his Rap Sheet and Friends podcast. "Just going through this thing I knew I needed a fresh start and that's something I was telling (Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell) about and my agent. Everything worked out the way that it worked out, it was good. When I was going to L.A. I knew I was going to play with (
Ndamukong Suh) and (
Aaron Donald) ... we from Florida so when we see them they always come on like around 4 o'clock or something like that, but I was able to watch them and I was always like, 'man, that's a good defense.' I saw the pieces that they added in the offseason, and then I got a call saying I was going there. I knew that they were already undefeated, and I just knew that, the mentality that I was in in Jacksonville, I had to take it back to last year when I was with Jacksonville — the championship mentality and I knew I was back playing for a championship-caliber team, a winning team."
When you're on a successful team and winning games, it makes football a little bit more fun. Going from a 3-5 team to an 8-0 team gave Fowler extra motivation to prove his worth as a former No. 3 overall pick.
"My first game was New Orleans, which was a big game, and ever since then every game has been huge so I think that's what's helped me a lot, just all these big games, knowing I that I have to step up and show up," said Fowler. "It's just bringing the best out of me."
Getting Fowler back was not the only big move the Rams have made so far. On Friday, Los Angeles signed former Baltimore Ravens safety
Eric Weddle, who had received nearly a dozen offers on the open market.
Weddle spent the first nine seasons with the San Diego Chargers but joined the Ravens in March of 2016, signing a four-year, $26 million deal with $13 million guaranteed. In 12 seasons, Weddle has recorded 833 total tackles, 9.5 sacks, 95 passes defensed, and 29 interceptions. He has been a six-timePro Bowler and two-time All-Pro while helping the Chargers and Ravens alike reach the playoffs.
With starting free safety
LaMarcus Joynerset to hit free agency this week, the Rams realize that he could soon be gone to a different team. Returning to the Super Bowl is the ultimate goal, and finding a key starter in the secondary should improve these odds, and hopefully having Fowler back will as well.