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The next few seasons could be expensive ones for the Los Angeles Rams.
While the team has a projected $45.6 million in salary cap space in 2026, there are several high-profile extensions around the corner.
Puka Nacua, Steve Avila, Byron Young and Kobie Turner are all eligible for new deals this offseason, with contracts that expire after the 2026 season. Then, Jared Verse and Braden Fiske will be extension-eligible after this upcoming season. The Rams could also pick up Verse's fifth-year option before the start of the 2027 season.
Oh yeah, and Matthew Stafford may want a new deal this offseason after playing at an MVP level.
Rams general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay have been good about keeping their best players around this past year. Stafford came back on with a pay raise, while Alaric Jackson, Kyren Williams, Quentin Lake and Nate Landman each earned new deals.
Nacua's next contract is reportedly a priority for the Rams this offseason, but it's unclear what it'll cost L.A. to extend him.
ESPN's Dan Graziano broke down the Rams' extension candidates and zeroed in on Nacua and Young for L.A. this offseason.
He predicted the Rams will give Nacua a four-year, $156 million extension with $90 million guaranteed. That $39 million average annual value would be right under Ja'Marr Chase but ahead of Justin Jefferson. That seems appropriate considering Nacua's stats since he entered the league in 2023. This prediction would also eclipse Jefferson for the money guaranteed at signing.
Now, Young is a bit of a different case. While he has 27.5 career sacks and is coming off a career-best 12 sack-season, Graziano isn't sure if the Rams will bring Young back if they extend Nacua. He offers two avenues: Either the Rams place the franchise tag on him after the 2026 season (or at least threaten to) or they let him walk knowing they will keep Verse and Fiske at a later date.
Either way, Graziano predicts Young will sign a new deal worth $145 million over four years with $72 million guaranteed. He added that it could be with the Rams, or another team.
That would be a lot of money for Young. A $36.25 million average annual salary right now would rank fourth among edge rushers behind Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt and Nick Bosa. Is Young the fourth-best edge rusher in the NFL? Young's 27.5 sacks are tied for the 11th-most since 2023. His quarterback and pressures both rank 11th, too.
But this deal wouldn't be about past production, it would be an investment on the future of Young's career. One that could see him rise to become one of the better edge rushers in the NFL.
The Rams have a lot of decisions to make this offseason when it comes to their most important players. Some will be made, while others will be pushed into the following season.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL insider predicts contract extension numbers for 2 Rams stars
Continue reading...
While the team has a projected $45.6 million in salary cap space in 2026, there are several high-profile extensions around the corner.
Puka Nacua, Steve Avila, Byron Young and Kobie Turner are all eligible for new deals this offseason, with contracts that expire after the 2026 season. Then, Jared Verse and Braden Fiske will be extension-eligible after this upcoming season. The Rams could also pick up Verse's fifth-year option before the start of the 2027 season.
Oh yeah, and Matthew Stafford may want a new deal this offseason after playing at an MVP level.
Rams general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay have been good about keeping their best players around this past year. Stafford came back on with a pay raise, while Alaric Jackson, Kyren Williams, Quentin Lake and Nate Landman each earned new deals.
Nacua's next contract is reportedly a priority for the Rams this offseason, but it's unclear what it'll cost L.A. to extend him.
ESPN's Dan Graziano broke down the Rams' extension candidates and zeroed in on Nacua and Young for L.A. this offseason.
He predicted the Rams will give Nacua a four-year, $156 million extension with $90 million guaranteed. That $39 million average annual value would be right under Ja'Marr Chase but ahead of Justin Jefferson. That seems appropriate considering Nacua's stats since he entered the league in 2023. This prediction would also eclipse Jefferson for the money guaranteed at signing.
Now, Young is a bit of a different case. While he has 27.5 career sacks and is coming off a career-best 12 sack-season, Graziano isn't sure if the Rams will bring Young back if they extend Nacua. He offers two avenues: Either the Rams place the franchise tag on him after the 2026 season (or at least threaten to) or they let him walk knowing they will keep Verse and Fiske at a later date.
Either way, Graziano predicts Young will sign a new deal worth $145 million over four years with $72 million guaranteed. He added that it could be with the Rams, or another team.
That would be a lot of money for Young. A $36.25 million average annual salary right now would rank fourth among edge rushers behind Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt and Nick Bosa. Is Young the fourth-best edge rusher in the NFL? Young's 27.5 sacks are tied for the 11th-most since 2023. His quarterback and pressures both rank 11th, too.
But this deal wouldn't be about past production, it would be an investment on the future of Young's career. One that could see him rise to become one of the better edge rushers in the NFL.
The Rams have a lot of decisions to make this offseason when it comes to their most important players. Some will be made, while others will be pushed into the following season.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL insider predicts contract extension numbers for 2 Rams stars
Continue reading...
