The Rams and cornerback Jalen Ramsey are not close to an agreement on a contract extension, per veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson (via Twitter). However, Anderson’s source notes that it’s still early in the process, thereby implying that there is no real tension between player and team at this time.
Of course, given that Los Angeles ponied up two first-round picks and a fourth-rounder to obtain the outspoken star last October, the club will do everything in its power to keep him around on a long-term basis. Ramsey, the No. 5 overall pick of the 2016 draft, did not maintain the same high level of play during after his trade to the Rams that he displayed during his 3+ years with the Jaguars, but there is no reason to believe that he cannot return to form and serve as one of the game’s top corners for years to come.
Indeed, Rams head coach Sean McVay recently indicated that he views Ramsey as a player who can reset the CB market, which certainly won’t hurt Ramsey’s leverage. Currently, Darius Slay is the leader in the cornerback clubhouse with an average annual value of $16.7MM, so Ramsey is likely shooting for at least a $17MM AAV. And given that he won’t turn 26 until October, he is likely eyeing the ~$57MM in guarantees that Byron Jones took home from the Dolphins this offseason.
The Rams’ cap space could be a complicating factor in negotiations. According to OverTheCap.com, LA has roughly $4MM of room right now. Ramsey is presently slated to take home a $13.7MM salary this season with a corresponding cap charge, and while an extension could theoretically bring that number down a bit, the team also has future salary cap concerns, exacerbated by the fact that the 2021 cap could decrease by as much as $23MM.
So talks could extend into the season, but look for the two sides to come to an agreement at some point before the end of the 2020 campaign.
I’m still not sure the Rams should’ve traded for Ramsey. I understand the benefits of having a lockdown corner, but the deal really limited their financial flexibility and cost them two future firsts. Those picks could’ve been used on cheap replacements for departing free agents and aging veterans, such as Whitworth and Littleton. I have a feeling the offensive line is going to fall apart sooner rather than later and Goff is going to have his fair share of struggles
The O-line already began that collapse last year, Whitworth included. Of course, at his age, the Rams should have expected some slippage. Havenstein, however, was a disappointment after his early promise. They may be able to get on track, but the team seems like a real mess at the moment. That’s what happens with an incompetent GM in Snead who attempts to buy a ring through high priced veteran free agents who may or may not even complement each other as players. Snead’s philosophy has been to simply out-talent the opponent, which is quite laughable in professional football, where scheme and team-building are paramount for winning teams.
All that said, the Ramsey case illustrates perfectly why this philosophy is flawed. Given what the Rams gave up for Ramsey, they have fundamentally lost any ability to acquire homegrown talent to put around him or at any other position of need. More importantly, they lost any possible leverage that they could have had in discussing the contract. Ramsey knows that all he has to do is sit around and wait. If the Rams don’t come running to him with a huge offer, they flat-out lose high picks and a coveted player, and Ramsey gets to pick his next team in free agency by himself. Kroenke has not shown that he cares about his team’s well-being at all, but that might be a significant enough failure to get Snead fired, as he would be from any other team (of course, it is highly doubtful that any other team would have given him the extension that Kroenke did when preparing to move to L.A., but that just illustrates the point).
Ramsey has all the leverage and no urgency to make any decision. The Rams are not in a good situation moving forward due to Les Snead’s incompetence and Kroenke’s disinterest in his performance.
Excellent synopsis of a very flawed Rams front office. The worst part may be the simple fact that they play in the toughest division in football. The 49ers have an arsenal of young defensive talent and a star tight end; Arizona is up and coming with Kyler and Hopkins; and the Seahawks always have a chance with Russell Wilson at the helm. Goff is a decent enough quarterback, but he’s doesn’t have the talent to carry a squad without offensive line help and McVay whispering in his ear as demonstrated during the Superbowl
Not to mention how simplistic McVay’s offense is. I don’t think that he is terrible, but running your entire offense out of maybe three or four sets is hard to maintain in the NFL. This is especially true when you are so reliant on athletic talent to outmuscle the opponent more than your scheme (Gurley, for instance).
Murray may experience the same thing soon, but that team is loaded with athletic talent at the moment. Murray might or might not be the answer, but the fact is he has a plethora of tools to succeed right now statistically. The Rams cannot say the same.
I wouldn’t have traded for him either. 2 first rounders and a 4th for a selfish malcontent? I don’t care how good the guy is. Not worth ruining the teams future draft, their salary cap structure, and the added drama he brings. Too many other good players out there to choose from. I would certainly make him prove himself this year after he slacked off in a Rams uniform after the trade before giving him any more money!