Seven Rams players who could be in line for extensions…

7 Rams players who could be in line for extensions this offseason

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Cameron DaSilva

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The Rams checked one big box on their offseason to-do list already when they signed Matthew Stafford to a four-year extension. That allowed them to lower his cap hit by $9.5 million in 2022, making it a win-win for both sides.

He may not be the only player the Rams extend this offseason, however. Aaron Donald is also in line for a new deal, and six others would make sense as candidates for a contract extension.

1

DT Aaron Donald

Donald is the most obvious candidate to get an extension this offseason and the Rams are already negotiating a new deal for the three-time Defensive Player of the Year. Donald still has two years left on his current contract but he’s only 26th in the NFL in annual salary and sixth among defenders.

With Donald contemplating retirement, he could use a raise to ensure he remains in Los Angeles for several more years. The Rams are aware of that and it’s why they’re trying to get an extension done sooner rather than later.

2

RT Rob Havenstein

Havenstein proved to be a bargain for the Rams after he signed a four-year, $32.5 million extension with them in 2018, keeping him under contract through the 2022 season. But looking ahead, he has just one year left on his deal and is in line to become a free agent in 2023.

The Rams can prevent him from hitting the market next March by giving him an extension this offseason. He’s still just 29 years old and has been playing some great football the last two seasons, which makes him a good candidate to sign a two- or three-year extension. Right tackles are just as important as left tackles in today’s NFL, so keeping Havenstein around would be wise.

3

K Matt Gay

The Rams tendered Gay as a restricted free agent this offseason, keeping him for the 2022 season. However, with it being a one-year tender, Gay will once again become a free agent next offseason – this time an unrestricted one.

He’s been one of the best kickers in football since joining the Rams and they shouldn’t risk him hitting free agency next year. He’s only 28 and should be the team’s long-term answer at kicker if he continues to perform at a high level the way he has in the last two seasons. They might even be able to lower his $2.54 million cap hit by giving him an extension.

4

LG David Edwards

Might the Rams consider doing with Edwards what they did with Havenstein in 2018? The Rams extended Havenstein a year before they had to and it might not be a bad idea to extend Edwards now before he becomes a free agent in 2023.

Edwards isn’t necessarily a top-tier guard, but he’s been steady since taking over as a starter and also has position flex as a tackle, too. It wouldn’t be a big contract but if Edwards goes on to have a Pro Bowl season in 2022, the Rams will have gotten ahead of his price increase next year.

5

DE A’Shawn Robinson

Robinson still has one year left on his deal but he’ll count $9.5 million against the cap this season. That’s a hefty price tag but he showed late last year that he’s a valuable player on the defensive line.

Even though he looks 35, Robinson just turned 27. He’s still young and has found a home at defensive end with the Rams. If Los Angeles extends him, Robinson’s cap hit could be lowered like Stafford’s was, while also ensuring he sticks around beyond this season.

6

WR Cooper Kupp

Kupp is signed through 2023 so he’s not hitting free agency for another two years. However, if you look at his contract, he seems vastly underpaid after the historic season he just had. He’s the 16th-highest paid receiver in the NFL and is only making $250,000 more per year than Allen Robinson.

Surely, the Offensive Player of the Year deserves a raise, right? This wouldn’t be a way to free up cap space, but more a method of rewarding Kupp for being such an outstanding receiver for the Rams.

7

NT Greg Gaines

Gaines was a stud for the Rams last season, filling in better than anyone could’ve expected after Sebastian Joseph-Day got injured. He’ll be a starter again in 2022 but after that, he’s scheduled to become a free agent next offseason.

The Rams should ensure he doesn’t hit the market and leave like Joseph-Day did by signing him to a new deal this offseason. They can tack it onto his current contract and give him a nice raise next year so as not to increase his cap hit in 2022.