Don't forget they may also be looking for an Edge, another CB and possibly a LOT. After QB, those are literally all the next highest paid positions on the market. Plus, as you stated, they have several of their own FAs to resign since many were UDFAs and 1 yr. FA deals.
I think most posters here like Higbee. I don't have anything personal against him and was crossing my fingers he'd turn out to be a stud TE but turned out to be more solid at best as a TE. QBs love to throw to TEs and clearly Higbee has not been a fav of Goff or Stafford for a reason (part of it being the Rams have usually fielded 2-3 well above average WRs except for a couple of years (which ended up being Higbee's best years).
I don't think just his catch totals in 2022 is indicative of much. The Rams had no established WRs for much of the year last year. Higbee's TDs have consistently been mediocre at best or low and aside from a couple of years his yardage totals have been mediocre or low. Also. the fact he has the best TE stats for a Ram career is more reflective of the the fact the Rams have not had great TEs that lasted for more than 2-3 years as productive Rams.
Higbee is fine but I would have rather replaced him with a vet blocking TE, develop Davis and perhaps draft a new pass-catching TE in 2024. Higbee is on the other side of 30, not a bargain and the eyes do not lie here on the board. Most describe him as good, not great and somewhat inconsistent even as a vet.
Not a huge deal on the extension but I thought it was time for a change at a position McVay no longer seems too concerned with making a big part of the offense aside from capable blocking. McVay resists running the ball much so even that has less impact other than pass blocking from TEs.
It was a fun point to exchange banter on but not a big deal. The Rams do have a terrible track record of making poor decisions on 2nd or 3rd contract extensions in recent years so it's fair to question if this was a wise one.
All good, back to addressing the play-calling and in-game management holding back this offense, ;P
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AlbaNY_Ram
I agree with this: "I just think he's replaceable for less in the vet FA market, developing one of the existing TEs on the roster (like this year's draft pick) and/or drafting a better pass-catching TE next draft."
They've been trying to replace Higbee for years and IMO only extended him twice cuz all attempts have failed so far. If Hopkins, for example, had developed he'd be starting and Higbee would be gone via FA (and maybe gotten a comp pick for him). Hopkins is still on his rookie deal this year, $1.2M cap hit ....
And yes, if Davis Allen progresses as expected Higbee will be expendable after the 2024 season. Especially if they draft another TE in '24 who can contribute in '25.
Not so sure about this, though: "No need for a big contract extension when there are so many big contracts to hand out next year." The Rams have $57.5M in cap space next year and not a ton of FAs to sign. From the list below they could keep most or all of their RFAs and ERFAs relatively cheaply (Williams, Rozeboom, Jackson, Rivers, Thomas, Brown, Hoecht). Heck, they could sign all of them and if any of them get washed out when the Rams cut down to 53 it really won't cost them much if anything.
Of the UFAs who do they need to keep? The priorities look to me to be Witherspoon & Dotson. Anyone else there a must have? Shelley? Anchrum? Regardless - whoever from the list that the Rams are able to keep won't cost a ton of money. IMO the Rams haven't handcuffed themselves financially by handing Higbee a 2 year, $17M deal.
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