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theramswire.usatoday.com] Is Sony Michel playing his way to an extension with the Rams?
Skyler Carlin
December 28, 2021 8:35 am PT
Sony Michel has been a large reason why the Los Angeles Rams have logged four straight wins to go undefeated in the month of December. The former first-round pick of the New England Patriots has displayed a level of physicality that was much-needed in this offense, allowing him to take the starting spot from Darrell Henderson Jr.
Amid the team’s four-game winning streak, Michel has rushed for 423 yards and two touchdowns on 89 attempts (4.75 yards per attempt). He also has two 100-yard rushing games in that four-game span, which are the only two 100-yard rushing games that the Rams have this season.
With Michel at the forefront of helping rejuvenate Los Angeles’ offense, Sean McVay spoke about the possibility of Michel earning an extension with the Rams after this season.
“He’s done a great job. I think the one thing that I would say – it’s that old cliché – we just want to be in the moment and he is doing a great job. As far as those things go to say that you would want to be able to continue to work with him, of course, but there’s always a lot of layers to those types of dialogues and discussions,” McVay said. “What I think he’s done a great job of is really just helping solidify a four-game stretch that has been paramount for our football team. And he’s been more at the forefront of that as much as anybody and really love the guy. You talk about a guy that just comes into work. He’s a pro’s pro. He’s picked things up quickly. He’s got such a steady, neutral demeanor throughout the course of games. Really love working with Sony. Of course, you’d love to be able to have that as an option. He’s doing a great job. I’m really pleased with that.”
When Michel was acquired via trade in the offseason, many believed it was a short-term solution for the Rams to help fill the void left behind by Cam Akers. Michel began the season as the clear No. 2 behind Henderson and would be scarcely utilized in the offense early on.
However, with the Rams searching for answers following a three-game losing streak in November, McVay elected to insert Michel into the starting offense. The rest is history as the offense has been humming along nicely ever since Michel became the starter in the backfield alongside Matthew Stafford.
The decision of whether or not to extend Michel has yet to be determined, especially with Akers and Henderson already under contract at the position. And with Akers making a return soon, it remains to be seen what Michel’s role will be once he shares touches with the second-year back.
Les Snead and the other minds that collectively make decisions on the roster will have their hands full trying to determine what to do at running back in the offseason. There is always a price that each team is willing to pay for a certain player, so there is certainly a chance that the Rams and Michel agree on a number that is reasonable for both sides to continue working together.
We all know that paying running backs can be a dangerous endeavor and Rams fans should know more than most with how quickly Todd Gurley fell off after getting paid. Having three running backs that are capable of starting is a good problem to have, but Los Angeles needs to ensure it is maximizing its cap space, especially being limited in assets.
Regardless of how the situation shakes out in the coming months, it’s safe to say that Michel has more than earned an extension in Los Angeles with how he’s performed in the past month.
