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theramswire.usatoday.com]
Rams can create the cap space to sign CB Stephon Gilmore – and they should
Cameron DaSilva
October 6, 2021 6:52 am PT
It’s not often a four-time Pro Bowler and former Defensive Player of the Year becomes available in Week 5, but here we are. The New England Patriots are releasing cornerback Stephon Gilmore, unquestionably the most shocking move of the season thus far.
This stems from Gilmore’s contract dispute with the team, seeking a raise in the final year of his deal. The Patriots didn’t budge and after trying to trade Gilmore, they’re outright cutting the star cornerback.
The Rams are known as a team that will go all-in to win now, and there won’t be a better opportunity to prove that than by signing Gilmore. It’s easier said than done, of course. There will be a ton of suitors for Gilmore and the Rams aren’t exactly flush with cap space.
How the Rams can make room for Gilmore this year
According to Over The Cap, the Rams have $1.85 million in cap space right now. That obviously won’t be enough to sign Gilmore, who was already unhappy with his $7 million salary in 2021 with the Patriots.
It’s likely that Gilmore will be seeking at least $12 million per year on the market and there will probably be a team willing to give him that much. However, if he wants to go to a contender, there aren’t many great teams with money to blow. The Chargers and their $11.8 million would make sense, as would the Packers ($7.2 million), assuming they could free up the necessary space to give him the contract he’s seeking.
The Rams are Super Bowl contenders and while they don’t have the money right now, one move can change that. By restructuring Matthew Stafford’s contract, the Rams would free up about $12.6 million, according to Over The Cap. Add that to their $1.85 million in cap space and you get more than $14 million in spending money.
