First, the good news: the odds of the Rams winning Super Bowl 61 improved when Aaron Donald unretired. Literally. At DraftKings, for example, their odds shifted from +550 to +500. As fans we already knew the Rams have a better shot at the SB with Donald than without him, even without that confirmation from a gambling site. Now the bad news: $10M of Donald’s contract goes against the 2026 cap. The Rams currently have $5.6M in cap space, and only 2 teams have less than that. Donald’s contract will also hit the 2027 cap with up to $20M in dead money. The Rams currently have $95.9M in cap space next year but that will get knocked down to $75.9M if Donald earns all of his incentives. (Cap numbers from [overthecap.com]) With reduced cap space this year and next the Rams won't be able to extend as many of their own pending FAs and/or won't be able to sign as many FAs from other teams. Who specifically the Rams will now be able to resign and/or sign is anyone’s guess but it’s clear that it will be a player or two fewer than it would be without Donald. Does that diminish their SB odds next year and beyond? Your guess is as good as mine, but it certainly doesn’t help. Personally, I am celebrating Donald’s return, but I also acknowledge that it comes with a cost (beyond the $20M or $30M they end up paying him). There are teams that, had they been in a similar situation, would not have added Donald to their roster. Teams that perhaps place a higher priority on sustained quality over improved SB odds. I think that the Steelers would be one of those teams. They have an active NFL record of 22 consecutive non-losing seasons to their credit, and you don’t achieve that level of consistency by risking future roster stability for short term success. But also, the Steelers haven’t won a SB since 2008 and haven’t been in one since 2010. Conversely, the Rams went to SB53 and missed the playoffs the following year. And they won the SB56 and went 5-12 the following year. A little different approach … and a little different result. As a fan I prefer the way the Rams go about their business. Super Bowl 61 here we come (fingers and toes crossed)! Edit - A recent interaction I had with Speed and 73 prompted me to focus on the roster implications of Donald's cap hits, and that led to this post. I find the conversations on this board incredibly valuable and this is a prime exxample why.https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251438#msg-1251438Wed, 07 Oct 2026 11:23:33 -0400 Phorum 5.2.18 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251709#msg-1251709 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251709#msg-1251709
But I think there is a narrative that the Rams mortgage the farm every season... I read somewhere, funny I believe it was a niners fan who said :The Rams buy all of their Super Bowls"... lol Probably still half laughing and half irritated from that comment. And perhaps other than the pats cheating... no other team has bought more SB's than the niners.]]> Atlantic Ram RamsFootballFans.comWed, 02 Sep 2026 20:35:13 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251655#msg-1251655 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251655#msg-1251655
It's worked pretty good so far. Plus the salary cap keeps going up, plus players want to play for the Rams and sometimes take a little less, like Stafford and Kyren, and Davante, and AD this time.

Some teams get into cap hell without ever winning a ring or making a run. So we're good.

But we did kick the can down the road a bit on Stafford and have quite a few guys coming due next year, so we may not be able to assemble quite the same super team next year, might have to let a couple of pieces go, but we'll still be competitive.

Thus, we're all-in (again).

LFG!!]]> kw13 RamsFootballFans.comWed, 02 Sep 2026 10:32:31 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251651#msg-1251651 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251651#msg-1251651
I did state that I thought the Rams had a different approach than many teams, but I don't think their approach is 'all in'. If I had to label it I'd probably call it 'go big or go home'.

The Rams don't throw their future away to go for a title. IMO what separates them is they make bold moves that other teams are afraid to make.

The Rams trade up for Goff, for example. How often does a team trade up from #15 to #1?

The trades for Stafford and Garrett standout among all the deals the Rams have made. What other team makes moves like that?

I agree 100% that the Garrett trade is not an 'all in' move. The guy is signed thru the 2030 season and he will be a cornerstone of this defense for at least that long. But there's a reason he's on the Rams and not one of the other 30 teams sitting on the sidelines.

The Browns restructured Garrett's contract this year. He was due to get $29.2M in March and they moved that date to Sept. Why? So if they traded Garrett his new team would pay the $29.2M.

Garrett agreed to that change. Why? Because he wanted to give the Browns an opportunity to trade him.

It was clear to anyone who was paying attention, and certainly clear to the other 31 teams in the league, that the Browns would at least entertain offers for Garrett.

I am not aware of any team other than the Rams making a play for Garrett. If I missed it and someone has some info please share. But at the time the Rams traded for Garrett they were already co-favorites to win the SB along with Seattle and this move gave the Rams a clear advantage.

The 49ers were lagging both teams. As of today they have the most cap space in the NFL: $65M. (The Titans are second with $43.9M.) Why wouldn't the 49ers made this bold move and leapfrog both the Rams and Seattle? Or the Chargers ($41.9M in cap space)?. Or the Patriots ($30.8M in cap space)?

Maybe a lot of teams are risk-averse. "What if we make this trade and it doesn't work out?"

I wouldn't say the Rams are risk takers per se, I'd put it that they have a different metric for weighing risk vs. reward that compels them to make bold moves where other team shy away fro them. More like "if we don't do this we'll kick ourselves in our collective a$$es forever".

The Rams pursue all avenues to make the team better and pull the trigger when the opportunity presents itself. I think that's what separates the Rams from teams like the Steelers.

And it must be pointed out, that strategy probably doesn't work unless you are able to restock with lower round draft picks, undrafted players, and free agents.

The Rams starting offense: a 2nd round pick, three 5th round picks, a 6th round pick, an undrafted player, three free agents, and two trades.

And the starting defense: a 1st round pick, three 3rd round picks, a 6th round pick, an undrafted player, four free agents, and two trades.

The four trades I just referenced: Dotson, Stafford, McDuffie, and Garrett.]]> AlbaNY_Ram RamsFootballFans.comWed, 02 Sep 2026 09:06:56 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251640#msg-1251640 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251640#msg-1251640
The OL was a complete shambles and Stafford only played in 9 games, and played hurt.... but that's all he played... Mayfield came in a played OK... but the injuries were everywhere. Why? No idea. McVay wasn't himself... and considered retiring. A lot going on and likely none of it had to do with "going all in"...

But I doubt the 5-12 had anything to do with the "all in" narrative. Injuries can derail any season.

GM's want to be in the playoffs. I get that. Not the way I would go but then if I were a GM maybe I would change my mind in order to keep bringing in a paycheck.

I never really felt like 2021 was "all in" as much as it was taking the opportunities that were available. Sure it was F them picks... but its usually F them picks... Not really only in 2021.

This year... feels different. Its not really but Garrett feel like an All In move... But I guess you make that trade regardless. AD coming back... it's not like the Rams traded for him. I am having a hard time picturing a team who would say "No thanks" to AD... even the GM's who just want to be good enough.]]> Atlantic Ram RamsFootballFans.comWed, 02 Sep 2026 06:08:38 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251636#msg-1251636 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251636#msg-1251636 BerendsenRam RamsFootballFans.comWed, 02 Sep 2026 05:41:07 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251605#msg-1251605 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251605#msg-1251605 BerendsenRam RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 20:11:35 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251525#msg-1251525 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251525#msg-1251525 sstrams RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 12:22:46 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251523#msg-1251523 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251523#msg-1251523 since68 RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 12:00:50 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251508#msg-1251508 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251508#msg-1251508 NewMexicoRam RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 10:13:18 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251507#msg-1251507 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251507#msg-1251507 NewMexicoRam RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 10:10:01 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251502#msg-1251502 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251502#msg-1251502 AlbaNY_Ram RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 07:39:10 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251501#msg-1251501 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251501#msg-1251501 David Deacon RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 07:38:49 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251497#msg-1251497 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251497#msg-1251497
All any team can do is assemble the best players and coaches. There are things under their control and things that are not.
The biggest being injuries. The next being freaky plays or ref calls that change outcomes.

Whether the Rams win the Superbowl this year or not, the moves made by the Rams and where the money was spent was near perfect on a strategic level.

This league is designed for parity. It is designed to "punish" winning and to "reward" losing by means of the inverse draft and FA. I like it. It is one of the things that sets the NFL apart from all other team sports. That, and a hard cap on spending for players.

The Rams have NOT mortgaged their future just because of AD. They just have to continue drafting well, and make the right decisions about who to keep and who to let walk of their really good players. But, when a team sees a window to win it all, you don't just play it safe.]]> RockRam RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 06:17:50 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251487#msg-1251487 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251487#msg-1251487
Looks like we can only survive in 2028 if we can play Ty Simpson at QB with $50-80M dead cap space on the books for Stafford.

We'll cross 2027 when it gets here, but we'll have to pay the Piper quite a bit next year.

Donald may not be the reason, but he's not making the cap picture any better next year.

So, basically, we're all in.]]> kw13 RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 05:22:55 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251484#msg-1251484 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251484#msg-1251484 sfbayram RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 04:09:20 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251459#msg-1251459 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251459#msg-1251459
His cap hit in '26 is $48.27M

If Stafford plays in '26 and '27 and then retires he would have a $31.6M cap hit in '27 and then, because they have kicked the can down the road so much, it looks like a $57M cap hit in '28 in the form of dead money.

If Stafford retires after the '26 season that all comes due in '27: $88.8M cap hit in the form of dead money.

Because all the money in Stafford's contract is guaranteed the cap hits that are coming is fixed: $137.07M. $48.27M of that is already accounted for in this year's cap. The only variable is whether the remaining $88.8M goes against the '27 cap or if it is distributed across '27 ($31.6M) and '28 ($57M).

That said ...

I think Stafford fully intends to play in '27, but if he doesn't I find it hard to imagine that he would soak the Rams for the $50M his contract calls for in '27 if he's not going to play that year. So let's say Stafford retires after the '26 season and renegotiates his deal to remove the $50M he's currently owed for the '27 season. Because of al the prorated bonuses Stafford has already been paid and will be paid in '26 the Rams would still be hit with a $38.8M cap hit in '27 in the form of dead money.]]> AlbaNY_Ram RamsFootballFans.comMon, 31 Aug 2026 21:18:26 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251454#msg-1251454 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251454#msg-1251454 since68 RamsFootballFans.comMon, 31 Aug 2026 19:59:02 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251453#msg-1251453 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251453#msg-1251453 since68 RamsFootballFans.comMon, 31 Aug 2026 19:55:53 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251449#msg-1251449 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251449#msg-1251449 Ramkind41 RamsFootballFans.comMon, 31 Aug 2026 19:24:30 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251445#msg-1251445 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251445#msg-1251445
The Rams were always going to lose a few FAs next year just due to the number of pending FAs they have.

Here's the list of unrestricted free agents next year:

[attachment 15667 Screenshot2026-08-31190032.png]

The Rams have undoubtedly prioritized this list, checked their budget, and identified who they must re-sign, who they might re-sign, and who are going to be allowed to hit the FA market.

As an example, I really like the way LMU93 broke it down [ramsrule.com]:

Worth considering (for the right price): Parkinson, McClendon, Avila, Young, Forbes

Major Priorities: Turner, Dotson, Nacua, Evans

Don't necessarily be concerned about the names in the two categories - I encourage you to pick your own guys for 'Worth considering' and 'Major Priorities'.

All I'm saying is you will have fewer guys 'Worth considering' now than you had before Donald rejoined the team.

I don't think that dooms the 2027 season, but it does have an impact.]]> AlbaNY_Ram RamsFootballFans.comMon, 31 Aug 2026 19:13:10 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251439#msg-1251439 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251439#msg-1251439I get your concern but I want to win a SB and then talk AD into running it back]]> stlrams13 RamsFootballFans.comMon, 31 Aug 2026 18:44:00 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251438#msg-1251438 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251438,1251438#msg-1251438
Now the bad news: $10M of Donald’s contract goes against the 2026 cap. The Rams currently have $5.6M in cap space, and only 2 teams have less than that.

Donald’s contract will also hit the 2027 cap with up to $20M in dead money. The Rams currently have $95.9M in cap space next year but that will get knocked down to $75.9M if Donald earns all of his incentives. (Cap numbers from [overthecap.com])

With reduced cap space this year and next the Rams won't be able to extend as many of their own pending FAs and/or won't be able to sign as many FAs from other teams. Who specifically the Rams will now be able to resign and/or sign is anyone’s guess but it’s clear that it will be a player or two fewer than it would be without Donald. Does that diminish their SB odds next year and beyond? Your guess is as good as mine, but it certainly doesn’t help.

Personally, I am celebrating Donald’s return, but I also acknowledge that it comes with a cost (beyond the $20M or $30M they end up paying him).

There are teams that, had they been in a similar situation, would not have added Donald to their roster. Teams that perhaps place a higher priority on sustained quality over improved SB odds.

I think that the Steelers would be one of those teams. They have an active NFL record of 22 consecutive non-losing seasons to their credit, and you don’t achieve that level of consistency by risking future roster stability for short term success.

But also, the Steelers haven’t won a SB since 2008 and haven’t been in one since 2010.

Conversely, the Rams went to SB53 and missed the playoffs the following year. And they won the SB56 and went 5-12 the following year. A little different approach … and a little different result.

As a fan I prefer the way the Rams go about their business. Super Bowl 61 here we come (fingers and toes crossed)!

Edit - A recent interaction I had with Speed and 73 prompted me to focus on the roster implications of Donald's cap hits, and that led to this post. I find the conversations on this board incredibly valuable and this is a prime exxample why.]]> AlbaNY_Ram RamsFootballFans.comMon, 31 Aug 2026 18:41:22 -0400