Los Angeles Rams Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

LB Bobby Wagner Visiting Rams

March 23rd, 2022 at 4:21pm CST by Ben Levine

The Super Bowl champs are eyeing one of the best remaining free agents. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that linebacker Bobby Wagner is visiting with the Rams. There is “mutual interest” in a deal.

It was only yesterday that GM Les Snead admitted that the Rams “talked about” adding the veteran linebacker, and the executive met with his defensive coaching staff to determine if Wagner was a fit. That wasn’t the first time we’ve heard the Rams connected to Wagner; all of the NFC West teams were mentioned as suitors after the linebacker was let go by the Seahawks. The Broncos and Cowboys have also been connected to the 31-year-old.

Wagner started all three playoff games during the Seahawks Super Bowl-winning 2013 campaign, and he then proceeded to go on an eight-year run of Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections. During that stretch, Wagner averaged 145 tackles per season, and he left the organization as the Seahawks’ all-time leader in tackles. The 31-year-old was still productive in 2021, compiling a career-high 170 tackles to go along with three tackles for loss and three QB hits.

Wagner would be a huge get for a Rams defense that recently lost a pass rusher in Von Miller. Wagner wouldn’t necessarily play the same role, but he’d surely provide an upgrade over Ernest Jones, Travin Howard, and Christian Rozeboom at inside linebacker.

NFC West Notes: Rams, Penny, Lock, 49ers

March 22nd, 2022 at 8:45pm CST by Ben Levine

Before the Bills swooped in with an awe-inspiring contract, the Rams expected to re-sign Von Miller. According to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic, the Rams were flexible with the AAV of Miller’s deal and were generally offering around $14MM to $16MM per season.

The Rams “reiterated their commitment” to the linebacker during negotiations, while Miller made it a priority to work things out with the Super Bowl-winning organization. Of course, the money had to be right, but Rodrigue writes that the Rams were confident in their offer. However, the Bills emerged with a big-money offer that was ultimately too good to refuse.

Rodrigue also notes that Miller’s departure will ultimately net the organization a compensation pick, but because of the player’s tenure in the NFL, the organization can’t expect higher than a fifth-round selection.

More notes out of the NFC West…

Rashaad Penny told the media that it was a “no brainer” to re-sign with the Seahawks (per Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times on Twitter). The running back also confirmed that he turned down offers for more money in order to stay in Seattle. The former first-round pick inked a one-year, $5.75MM deal to stick with the Seahawks. This past season, Penny totaled 797 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns.
Pete Carroll seems to have some optimism for quarterback Drew Lock, telling reporters that the Seahawks are “focused on the things Drew Lock did well in Denver and not the times he struggled,” with the coach adding that “we think we see something that could be really special” (per Condotta on Twitter).
While the organization isn’t necessarily counting on Lock, the organization has high hopes for the QB. “We’ll continue to explore options,” said GM John Schneider (via ESPN’s Brady Henderson), “but we have a ton of faith in Drew. We’re excited about it. We’re excited about a change of scenery for him. I know a couple of my buddies were trying to acquire him all last spring and into the fall. He’s a guy that, in my opinion, the media has beat down a little bit. We’re excited to get him into our culture with our coaching staff, and we’ll continue to look for guys to compete with him.”
Jimmy Garoppolo‘s shoulder surgery earlier this month went “as expected,” according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). With the shoulder surgery taking place in early March, the 49ers are hoping the QB will be back on the field before training camp. Of course, the only question remaining is whether Garoppolo will be attending training camp with the 49ers or another team.

Latest On LB Bobby Wagner

March 22nd, 2022 at 7:18pm CST by Ben Levine

Bobby Wagner still hasn’t found a new home, but we’re learning some details about his suitors’ pursuits. Rams GM Les Snead admitted that the Rams “talked about” adding the veteran linebacker (via Michael J. Duarte on Twitter). The GM even met with the defensive coaching staff to break down tape and determine if Wagner would be a fit.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard the Rams connected to Wagner; all of the NFC West teams were mentioned as suitors after the linebacker was let go by the Seahawks. The Broncos and Cowboys have also been connected to the 31-year-old.

Speaking of the Cowboys, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News reports (on Twitter) that “no momentum exists” between Wagner and Dallas. Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is familiar with Wagner dating back from their days in Seattle, and according to Gehlken, the coach has been in contact with the player, who is serving as his own agent. While there is a “strong relationship” between the two, the reporter says a deal was considered “unlikely” and a “long shot” from the start.

Wagner started all three playoff games during the Seahawks Super Bowl-winning 2013 campaign, and he then proceeded to go on an eight-year run of Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections. During that stretch, Wagner averaged 145 tackles per season, and he left the organization as the Seahawks’ all-time leader in tackles. The 31-year-old was still productive in 2021, compiling a career-high 170 tackles to go along with three tackles for loss and three QB hits.

Rams GM Les Snead Discusses OBJ, Aaron Donald

March 22nd, 2022 at 5:11pm CST by Ben Levine

The Rams have reshuffled their receivers depth chart this offseason, but that hasn’t changed their views on Odell Beckham Jr.. Rams general manager Les Snead told reporters today that the team would still like OBJ back in Los Angeles for the 2022 campaign.

“He’s someone that we definitely want back,” Snead said (via AP’s Greg Beacham on Twitter). “A little bit more complex situation based on the injury. We envision it being similar but different circumstances to last year. When Odell is ready to play, we’d appreciate him being part of (the Rams).”

The Rams had previously made it clear that they wanted OBJ back, and the player also expressed interest in returning to the team. As a result, a new contract was “expected to happen,” but nothing has materialized in two weeks. Another report indicated that the Rams were staying flexible with respect to contract offers, so perhaps a deal is only a matter of time.

OBJ joined the Rams midseason and ended up having a standout performance for his new team, posting 48 catches for 593 yards and seven touchdowns between the regular season and playoffs before a knee injury knocked him out of the Super Bowl. Since the season ended, the Rams added Allen Robinson to their squad while shipping out veteran Robert Woods.

Meanwhile, Snead acknowledged that extension talks with Aaron Donald are “still in progress,” per Michael J. Duarte on Twitter. The defensive tackle waged a holdout in 2017 and later landed a then-record-breaking extension. Naturally, Donald’s $22.5MM-per-year deal has since been dwarfed. Donald’s age and the state of the market makes this contract issue understandable, and it may have factored into the surprise retirement talk.

Contract Details: Miller, Robinson, Reddick, Mariota, Jensen, Collins, Brown, Norwell

March 22nd, 2022 at 4:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are the latest details from contracts recently agreed to across the league, starting with the Bills’ big-ticket deal for a future Hall of Fame edge rusher:

Von Miller, LB (Bills): Six years, $120MM. Miller’s deal includes $51.44MM guaranteed. The Bills will keep Miller’s early base salaries low; he is tied to $1.1MM (2022) and $1.3MM (’23) salaries, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com tweets. Miller has a $13.34MM roster bonus due in 2023, and Albert Breer of SI.com tweets his deal includes $50MM over the first two years. His $17.1MM, $19.6MM and $29.6MM salaries from 2025-27 are nonguaranteed.
Allen Robinson, WR (Rams): Three years, $46.5MM. Robinson is attached to guaranteed base salaries of $1.5MM and $10MM in 2022 and ’23, respectively, per Wilson (on Twitter). The contract includes a $5.75MM roster bonus on Day 5 of the 2024 league year. If Robinson surpasses 2,200 receiving yards in the regular season and playoffs during the 2022 or ’23 seasons, Wilson adds his 2024 year will void (Twitter link). Only Cooper Kupp has accomplished that feat in a season.
Haason Reddick, DE (Eagles): Three years, $45MM. Reddick, who is guaranteed $30MM, is tethered to base salaries of just $1MM and $1.1MM in 2022 and 2023, per Wilson (on Twitter). His $13.75MM 2024 salary is nonguaranteed. The Eagles tacked three void years onto the deal for cap purposes. Reddick will collect a $13.7MM roster bonus in 2023.
Ryan Jensen, C (Buccaneers): Three years, $39MM. Jensen’s deal includes $26.5MM guaranteed. The Bucs center is tied to a $1.5MM base salary in 2022 and a $12.5MM base in 2023, Wilson tweets. Jensen’s 2023 salary is partially guaranteed at signing; it will become fully guaranteed if he is on Tampa Bay’s roster by Day 5 of the 2023 league year. A $1.5MM 2024 roster bonus resides in this deal as well. The Bucs included two void years here for cap purposes.
La’el Collins, T (Bengals): Three years, $30MM. The contract is closer to a two-year, $20MM pact, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, with Year 3 being included for cap purposes (Twitter link). It appears Cincinnati has dipped into the void-year realm, though is not clear just yet how this contract is structured.
Marcus Mariota, QB (Falcons): Two years, $18.75MM. This deal veers closer to a one-year pact. Mariota is due $6.75MM in 2022, but NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero notes (on Twitter) a $12MM 2023 option is included in this contract. A key point for Mariota’s Atlanta future will arrive on Day 5 of the 2023 league year, when a $3MM roster bonus is due.
Trent Brown, T (Patriots): Two years, $13MM. Brown will see $4MM guaranteed, Pelissero tweets. The veteran right tackle can earn up to $22MM on the contract.
Andrew Norwell, G (Commanders): Two years, $10MM. Norwell will collect $5.7MM guaranteed, Wilson tweets. He is set to earn $1.2MM and $3.54MM in base salary, with Wilson adding Washington added three void years onto this deal.

Contract Details: Watson, Adams, Stafford, Jones, Maye, Reed, Joseph-Day, Bozeman

March 21st, 2022 at 3:27pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are the latest details from contracts recently agreed to across the league, starting with the Browns’ fully guaranteed deal for their new quarterback.

Deshaun Watson, QB (Browns): Five years, fully guaranteed $230MM. Everything else about Watson’s Cleveland arrival is complicated; his contract is not. Following the 2022 season, in which the Browns reduced his salary to $1MM due to the likely forthcoming suspension, Watson is set to make $46MM in base salary from 2023-26, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes.
Matthew Stafford, QB (Rams): Four years, $160MM. The Rams are keeping Stafford’s base salaries down in the near future; they reside at $1.5MM for both 2022 and ’23, per OverTheCap. The team gave its quarterback a $60MM signing bonus, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. There are no void years on this deal, which includes $49.5MM, $50.5MM and $49.5MM cap numbers from 2024-26.
Davante Adams, WR (Raiders): Five years, $140MM. Adams’ deal surpasses DeAndre Hopkins‘ $27MM-per-year pact, but it is essentially a three-year, $67.5MM accord, Florio notes. Only $22.75MM is guaranteed at signing, but by early 2023, $42.9MM in injury guarantees shift to full guarantees. The Raiders have Adams tied to a $3.5MM 2022 base salary, helping for cap purposes, with a $20MM roster bonus representing part of that $42.9MM guarantee in 2023. Adams’ 2023 salary is set to be $6MM. His 2025 and ’26 salaries — $35.6MM apiece — are nonguaranteed.
Chandler Jones, OLB (Raiders): Three years, $51MM. The Raiders guaranteed Jones $32MM, with SI.com’s Howard Balzer noting the deal includes an $8.5MM roster bonus (Twitter link). The Raiders, who have Jones tied to base salaries of $4MM in 2022 and $7.5MM in 2023, tacked on two void years for cap purposes.
D.J. Reed, CB (Jets): Three years, $33MM. Reed collected $10.5MM guaranteed at signing and will count just $4.6MM against the Jets’ cap this year, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets. Reed is set to count $14.2MM against the Jets’ 2023 and ’24 caps.
Marcus Maye, S (Saints): Three years, $22.5MM. Originally reported as three years and $28.5MM, Maye’s deal does include $14.5MM guaranteed, per Spotrac (on Twitter). Maye’s 2022 cap hit is just $2.6MM, and the Saints included two void years. Maye’s cap hits for 2023 and ’24 are $8.6MM and $8.7MM, respectively.
Sebastian Joseph-Day, DT (Chargers). Three years, $24MM. Joseph-Day will receive $16.5MM guaranteed, which is up from initial reporting here. His 2022 and ’23 base salaries — $2.5MM and $6.5MM — are guaranteed, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com tweets.
Bradley Bozeman, OL (Panthers): One year, $2.8MM. Bozeman will receive a $1MM signing bonus and a $1MM base salary, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com tweets.

Rams Re-Sign WR/KR Brandon Powell

March 19th, 2022 at 10:41pm CST by Ely Allen

The Rams are bringing back a key special teamer from their Super Bowl run. According to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, the team is re-signing wide receiver and return man Brandon Powell to a one-year deal.

Powell entered the league in 2018 as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Florida signing with the Lions. Powell earned a start that season in place of Kenny Golladay and recorded 6 receptions for 103 yards in his lone start. After being waived, Powell was picked up by the Falcons for the 2019 NFL season. He was promoted to the active roster that year, but didn’t see any game action in Atlanta until the 2020 NFL season. He functioned as their main return man that year while also reeling in 2 receiving touchdowns. After the season ended, he signed a contract to join the Bills, but was released before the season began. The Dolphins picked him up, stashing him on their practice squad for about a month before releasing him, as well.

It was at this time that Powell found his way to Los Angeles, signing to the Rams’ practice squad in early November. Powell became the team’s return man, even housing a punt for a 61-yard touchdown in the Rams’ postseason-clinching win over the Vikings. His receiving talents likely won’t be needed as the team returns Cooper Kupp and Van Jefferson, brings in Allen Robinson II, and hopes to bring back Odell Beckham Jr., but as a part of the Rams’ Super Bowl-winning squad, Los Angeles is willing to extend another year to the young special teamer.

Rams To Trade WR Robert Woods To Titans

March 19th, 2022 at 6:37pm CST by Ely Allen

With the recent addition of Allen Robinson, the hopes of brings back Odell Beckham Jr., and the emergence of Cooper Kupp as an elite receiver in the NFL, Robert Woods became a bit superfluous in the Rams’ wide receiver room. Well, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Los Angeles will be trading the veteran receiver to the Titans in exchange for a 2023 sixth-round pick.

Woods is a true professional who is well-rounded in his game. With decent speed, Woods can break down a defense with sharp route-running, will make defenders miss after the catch, and can catch most anything thrown in his direction. He’s an unselfish teammate and a dedicated blocker.

Woods started off in Buffalo after getting drafted in the second round out of USC. He returned to Southern California as a free agent and quickly became the Rams’ number one receiver. Woods was on a three-year stretch from 2018-2020, playing the best football of his career. In 2020, he fell 64 yards short of three-straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons, totaling 3,289 yards over that span. In 2021, despite the emergence of teammates Kupp and Van Jefferson, Woods was once again on track to top 1,000 yards receiving, averaging 61.8 yards per game nine games into the season.

Unfortunately, Woods’ 2021 season was cut short when he suffered a torn ACL in a November practice. Luckily for the Rams, the day before Woods’ injury, they had signed Beckham, who was able to make up for the production lost due to Woods’ absence.

The recovery from a major injury, combined with the fact that Woods turns 30 next month, likely factors into the price the Rams were able to receive in return. Another factor is likely that Woods’ cap hit was set to balloon over the next few years of his contract, barring a restructured deal. That responsibility will now be passed on to the Titans to make Woods’ cap hit more manageable.

The Titans released receiver Julio Jones after a one-and-done season, leaving a top returning trio of A.J. Brown, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and Chester Rogers. They addressed the lackluster passing attack by signing former Falcons’ and Browns’ tight end Austin Hooper and the addition of Woods will give the Titans three strong weapons in the passing game.

Rams Extend QB Matthew Stafford

March 19th, 2022 at 3:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Rams announced Saturday they have reached an extension agreement with Matthew Stafford. The sides agreed on a four-year deal, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

Despite Aaron Rodgers and Deshaun Watson reshaping the quarterback market this month, Stafford’s new deal — four years, $160MM, per Schefter — does not push Rodgers’ for AAV or Watson’s for guarantee value. Stafford indeed becomes the latest $40MM-per-year quarterback, and although the 13-year veteran’s latest extension does not enter the Rodgers-Watson realm for AAV, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports the Los Angeles QB will collect $135MM guaranteed on this deal (Twitter link).

A closer look reveals this deal moving to $43MM per year, with Rapoport adding the pact includes additional years to help the Rams with their salary cap (Twitter link). This makes the extension, effectively, a three-year, $129MM pact. At $43MM annually, Stafford will tie Josh Allen. But Allen got to that price point by giving the Bills six true years on his extension. Stafford reaching $43MM AAV on a three-year re-up is certainly a good deal for a player who still has just one Pro Bowl on his resume. Of course, Stafford’s 2021 postseason overshadows his previous low-accolades Detroit run.

Stafford elevated the Rams to their second Super Bowl title, guiding a game-winning drive to down the Bengals. The longtime Lions starter did not miss a game in his first Rams season and played well in the playoffs. In 21 games last season, Stafford cleared 6,000 yards and threw 50 touchdown passes. The former No. 1 overall pick went from having never won a playoff game to leading his new team to four victories in one postseason, reshaping his career trajectory and putting him on course for this big-ticket extension.

When the Lions extended Stafford in 2017, his $27MM-per-year deal represented the QB high-water mark by $2MM annually. Quarterbacks’ earning potential has changed considerably in the years since; Rodgers is now attached to deal worth more than $50MM per year, while the Browns gave Watson an astonishing $230MM fully guaranteed. Stafford becomes the NFL’s sixth $40MM-per-year player. Considering where Rodgers and Watson took the market, Stafford certainly could have commanded more. This deal stands to help the Rams build around him, to some degree.

It will be interesting to see how Stafford’s cap numbers look, as the Rams have an Aaron Donald contract matter to address. The sides have engaged in discussions, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds (on Twitter) they have made progress. Donald is expected to receive a raise on his $22.5MM-per-year deal, one that has since been surpassed by several defenders.

Rams Receiving Calls On WR Robert Woods

March 17th, 2022 at 10:57pm CST by Ben Levine

Could Robert Woods be on the trade block? The Rams have received calls about the receiver’s availability, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter).

The Super Bowl champs shocked many when they inked Allen Robinson to a deal, and subsequent reports indicated that the team was still interested in re-signing Odell Beckham Jr.. Cooper Kupp obviously isn’t going anywhere, and Van Jefferson was productive during his sophomore season. While the Rams have a high-flying offense, something was clearly going to give.

It could end up being Woods, who hauled in 45 receptions for 556 yards and four touchdowns before tearing his ACL in practice. That injury happened in November, and while we’ve seen some miraculous recoveries in recent years, Woods would be hard pressed to be ready for the start of the 2022 season.

When healthy, Woods has been one of the most productive receivers in the NFL. He topped 1,000 yards from scrimmage each season between 2018 and 2020, and inquiring teams are surely counting on Woods returning to form. Woods inked a four-year, $65MM extension with the Rams in 2020, and he’s attached to $15MM+ cap hits for the next four seasons.

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