Over the next two years, the Rams’ defense will be paid the least.
Additionally, Aaron Donald will receive 25% of the Rams’ defensive budget.
Thanks to Kenneth Arthur at KennethArthuRS 3 June 2024, 12:39 p.m. CDT 0 New / 0 Comments
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Despite having the lowest-paid defense in the NFL, the Los Angeles Rams not only finished with a 10-7 record last season but also lost their defensive coordinator to a head coaching chance following the season. Les Snead and Sean McVay will now try it once more. once more.
The Rams’ defense has a $51.74 million cap charge overall in 2023, with Aaron Donald accounting for the majority of that amount. Although the Rams have seen their salary increase to $82.3 million in 2024, they are still the NFL’s lowest-paid defense, with the Detroit Lions ($83.1 million), who defeated Los Angeles in the wild card round, earning the highest salary of any team. Over $25 million of the $82.3 million is earmarked for the now-retired Donald.
NFC Wild Card Playoffs: Detroit Lions vs. Los Angeles Rams
Ryan Kang/Getty Images photo
However, the Rams want to repeat that in 2025, as they are ranked 32nd in the NFL for their $59.06 million in defensive commitments for the upcoming season, of which roughly $10 million is earmarked for Donald.
The next question is: Over the course of the next 18 months, would the Los Angeles Rams try to invest any funds in their defense?
Of the $140 million, $35 million will go to a retired player. This means that over the next two years, Aaron Donald will make up 25% of the NFL’s least expensive defense, with just roughly 75% going to guys who will play football in 2024 and 2025.
Thus, in 2024 and 2025, the Rams defense isn’t actually worth $140 million. That’s closer to $105 million.
Best to ever attempt it. Just love, nothing else. tweet.com/TabYSEdqhX
— @RamsNFL, Los Angeles Rams 23 May 2024
With $160 million, the Lions’ defense would be the second least expensive in 2024 and 2025. That represents how much of a difference there is between how frugal L.A.’s defense needs to be and the 31st-ranked team in the same category in the NFL.
The Rams plan to release free agents Ernest Jones and Michael Hoecht after this season, as well as Tre’Davious White, who signed a one-year, $10 million contract. Christian Rozeboom, Troy Reeder, Bobby Brown, and Larrell Murchison are among the other defense free agents. Which defensive players do the Rams seem to feel are extensions or must-keeps? No. Ernest Jones’s extension is not a top priority, as Snead has stated publicly.
The only appropriate response when asked who will be a priority free agent in 2025 is, “Don’t bother looking.” A player will typically not be permitted to hit free agency by his present team if he is valued $25 million or more per season in free agency. Most young players who are valuable because they rank in the top 10 or even top 25 in their position are extended by teams. A player typically has a valid reason for reaching free agency. In 2025, Cam Heyward, for instance, is a free agent. Although Heyward has been an excellent player, he is among the NFL’s oldest starters. Heyward probably wants to play for the Steelers for the rest of his career even in that case.
Alternatively, suppose that cornerback A.J. Terrell, who is projected as the best player at his position to be a free agent in 2025, leaves the Falcons. A.J. Terrell might be a valuable asset to the Rams if they sign him, but would he be able to elevate a team to the Super Bowl contender ranks? Is he one of the top ten players in his league? Although we tend to overvalue interceptions, Terrell is the best CB available in the 2025 draft and hasn’t had one since 2021.
The inevitable outcome of a bidding battle for the few good players who reach free agency is that the team that signs Terrell will probably have to overpay for his services. Just like the Raiders will pay whatever it takes to sign Christian Wilkins, the top free agent of 2024, good players are compensated as “great” players. Could the Rams have outbid Las Vegas for Wilkins’ $110 million, four-year contract?
They were out of cap space at the moment. However, if and when they do choose to pay a defensive player, they undoubtedly have the most flexibility on defense.
