On the strength of an excellent performance from Sam Darnold, the Seahawks eliminated the Rams in the 2025 NFC Championship Game and ultimately captured the second Lombardi Trophy in franchise history. Disgruntled by that showing, the Rams have been candid about the need to improve their cornerback room this offseason, as Nate Atkins of The Athletic (subscription required) relays.
Los Angeles finished 19th in the league in terms of passing yards allowed in 2025, and none of their primary boundary corners with enough snaps to qualify – Darious Williams, Emmanuel Forbes, and Cobie Durant – earned a notable grade from Pro Football Focus. Williams is under contract through 2026 and is due a reasonable $7MM salary next year, but Atkins views the soon-to-be 33-year-old as a cut candidate.
Now in his second stint with the Rams, the former UDFA of the Ravens proved to be quite a find for Los Angeles, who claimed him off waivers from Baltimore in October 2018. He eventually became a fixture in the Rams’ secondary and earned a three-year, $30MM contract from the Jaguars in March 2022. Jacksonville released him after the second season of that pact, and he rejoined LA on a three-year, $22.5MM accord in March 2024.
In 12 games (11 starts) for the Rams in ‘24, Williams surrendered a 64.4% completion percentage and 101.7 quarterback rating, and his 59.0 PFF grade placed him 82nd among 118 qualified CBs. His numbers actually improved in 2025 (87.6 QB rating, 64.7 PFF grade), but he played considerably fewer snaps and was a healthy scratch in several games.
It is therefore not surprising that Los Angeles will consider parting ways, especially since a cut would generate $7.5MM in cap savings with a minimal dead money charge of $1.17MM. Williams’ age and contract situation, together with the Rams’ stated desire to remake their CB depth chart, make a release a logical outcome.
Forbes, a former first-round pick of the Commanders, is under club control through 2026 via his original rookie contract with Washington (the Rams claimed him off waivers in December 2024). He is due a modest $1.95MM salary next year.
Durant, whom the Rams selected in the fourth round of the 2022 draft, is eligible for free agency next month (ditto trade deadline acquisition Roger McCreary, who played just 38 defensive snaps for LA). The team recently extended versatile slot defender Quentin Lake through 2028.
Williams, who has earned over $50MM to date, will likely have to settle for a one-year contract if the Rams do move on. Still, given the league-wide need for experienced corners, he should be able to find another employer.
This cut is a given