[AvengerRam]

Before we get to the open FA market...

And before we get to the draft...

Here are 5 money/contract issues that will set the table for this 2025 offseason and shape our team going forward.

1. The Lynchpin.
I'm referring to Alaric Jackson. I'm a firm believer in the value of OL continuity, and his play this year merits a new contract. He won't be cheap - starting LTs get paid - but the Rams have the resources available to keep him (Rams currently have an estimated $49M in capspace, per Spotrac). If they let him go, they'd almost certainly have to pursue a replacement in FA (also not cheap) or use their first round pick on a LT (best guys long gone by then). Prediction: he's re-signed and never hits the market.

2. Kupp half-empty?
With Cooper Kupp, we find ourselves in familiar territory. Rightly rewarded for phenomenal play that brought us a championship, Kupp is now objectively being paid more than his production warrants, particularly at his age (he'll be 32 in June). Cutting him would only save around $7M and produce significant dead cap (around $23M), and I doubt there's much of a trade market for him at this point. I think he'll be back for one final run. Prediction: restructure and stay.

3. The "at the right price" crowd.
After Jackson is addressed, there are some in-house FAs who are worth considering, but only at the right price. In order of preference, I'd list them as follows: (1) Bobby Brown, (2) Michael Hoecht, (3) Ahkello Witherspoon, (4) Neville Gallimore, (5) Demarcus Robinson OR Tutu Atwell, (6) the rest. Prediction: Hoecht, Gallimore and Atwell return on moderate deals. Brown gets overpaid by someone else.

4. The class of '22.
There are three players from the 2022 draft class who are major contributors at this point: Kyren Williams, Quentin Lake and Cobie Durant. Are any of them the types of players that the Rams should extend early in the hope of keeping them beyond 2025 at a reasonable price? As much as I like and appreciate Williams, I'd say no with him. Perhaps in a year we'll be talking about a new contract but, for now, I'd let him play out his rookie deal and see what we have in Blake Corum (and, perhaps, draft someone) for the future. Lake might be worth considering. Durant... tough call. Prediction: Lake might be extended early, though that might not happen until next Fall. The others... revisit next year.

5. Other Expendable Vets?
Are there any other veterans (no-FA) who could be on the chopping block for financial reasons? The two who some might suggest are Tyler Higbee and Jonah Jackson. I don't see either as a good candidate. Higbee, who proved his value in the playoffs, is set to make less than $10M, and releasing him would only save about $3.5M. Good value. Jackson will likely be the most overpaid guy on the team, assuming he continues to be a reserve behind an interior OL of Steve Avila, Beaux Limmer and Kevin Dotson but, again, not a lot of savings if released this year ($3M). In 2026, we'd have more of an "out" with Jackson (saves about $17M) but, for now, he's a good OL insurance policy. Prediction: both stay.

[Indrid Cold]

2. Kupp half-empty?
With Cooper Kupp, we find ourselves in familiar territory. Rightly rewarded for phenomenal play that brought us a championship, Kupp is now objectively being paid more than his production warrants, particularly at his age (he'll be 32 in June). Cutting him would only save around $7M and produce significant dead cap (around $23M), and I doubt there's much of a trade market for him at this point. I think he'll be back for one final run. Prediction: restructure and stay.

Good summary and predictions. Galimore moved way up on my list of keepers based on the playoffs.

But I don't see Kupp restructuring. That typically involves reducing current cap number by converting salary or other unguaranteed money to bonuses, which can be spread to future years. That defeats the purpose here by adding money to Kupp's future cap numbers.

He could take a pay cut like Noteboom did, but players/agents don't do that for nothing. Noteboom got his salary guaranteed. The only thing to manipulate is Kupp's $12.5M non-guaranteed salary. I supposed he could agree to a $4-5M pay cut to guarantee the rest of his salary, but that's a pretty insignificant savings.

Trade would save $12.5M in cap, but there's no backup plan at the moment and we'd probably get a bag of chips in return.

[Elvis]

[AvengerRam]

Good summary and predictions. Galimore moved way up on my list of keepers based on the playoffs.

But I don't see Kupp restructuring. That typically involves reducing current cap number by converting salary or other unguaranteed money to bonuses, which can be spread to future years. That defeats the purpose here by adding money to Kupp's future cap numbers.

He could take a pay cut like Noteboom did, but players/agents don't do that for nothing. Noteboom got his salary guaranteed. The only thing to manipulate is Kupp's $12.5M non-guaranteed salary. I supposed he could agree to a $4-5M pay cut to guarantee the rest of his salary, but that's a pretty insignificant savings.

Trade would save $12.5M in cap, but there's no backup plan at the moment and we'd probably get a bag of chips in return.

I'd consider a reworked contract with a pay cut a type of "restructure," but your point's well taken. A simple shifting of money to kick the can down the road may not be a good idea for a guy like Kupp.

I'm still hopeful that they'll work something out so he can finish his career with us.

[Indrid Cold]

I'd consider a reworked contract with a pay cut a type of "restructure," but your point's well taken. A simple shifting of money to kick the can down the road may not be a good idea for a guy like Kupp.

I'm still hopeful that they'll work something out so he can finish his career with us.

Yeah, I was kind of splitting hairs. I don't see a reason to release him and have all that dead cap. I'm in the retain him camp but wouldn't be too upset with a trade, if obvious upgrades were in place.

[AvengerRam]

FOOTNOTE: I didn't list Matthew Stafford's contract, which will almost certainly be reworked, because I just don't doubt the outcome (i.e. Stafford returns in 2025).

[Elvis]

Stafford adjusted his contract on the first day of camp last year so could be till July on him...

[Elvis]

Gary Klein thinks their gonna let AJ test the market:

[AvengerRam]

Gary Klein thinks their gonna let AJ test the market:

That surprises me. Guess we’ll see.

[Elvis]

The Oline has the potential to be very different next year. Avila and Dotson are back for sure. The rest are varying degrees of questionable...