2026 Financials: Los Angeles Rams

[PhillyRam]

Over the next two off-seasons, I think Nacua, Turner, Young, Dotson, Avila, McClendon, Parkinson and Evans are all doable (i.e., re-signable). However, not expecting all to re-sign.

None HAVE to be re-signed this coming off-season (2026). Although, I think Nacua DESERVES an extension.

Also think it would be smart to extend Dotson and Parkinson one year early ($26.5M cap hit) because they are key starters, and extensions should create additional 2026 cap space.

Finally, think it would be forward-thinking to try and extend McClendon one year early.

Personally, I would be reluctant to spend big in League-wide Free Agency this off-season. Although the need at cornerback is great, the market seems limited. That means good corners could be extremely over-paid.

As far as the Rams free agents, I like Curl and McCreary but for no more than $6-$8M AAV; and Garoppolo.
For me, the biggest guys to re-sign were Lake and Landman ... Last year, it was Jackson. Done and Done.

I did All the Above on Madden, so I know it works.

Would be nice to go out and get a quality returner who can also be a solid #4 or #5 WR.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Los Angeles Rams Salary Cap | Over the Cap

Los Angeles Rams salary cap, contracts, bonus money, dead money, and cap savings for every player

overthecap.com

Total Cap Liabilities: $267,643,736

• Top 51: $266,058,212
• Team Cap Space: $34,376,522

• Offense: $189,343,186
• Defense: $73,968,026
• Special: $3,632,000

 

[Cjcinec]

As I think more and more about how McVay and Stafford approached the post game presser, I'm wondering if there was a sense that this might be his last rodeo. Stafford was rightfully pissed off, completely dismissed the question about whether he'd be coming back or not and McVay was ticked off to answer the question about him being back next season too. I really hope I'm wrong but the emotions, the things that were said wouldn't surprise me if they really needed this one for him before retiring. We were right there, a few plays away and we blew it. Each season is long and grueling (Stafford made it a point to hit on this in his interview) to get to that point and you have to wonder if Stafford wants to go through all that - especially after he played his heart out and the rest of the team let him down several times this season.

Exactly the reason why you don’t ask him that stupid question in a postgame interview after a tough loss. Nobody makes a decision at that time because emotions are involved. Sportswriter looking for a gotcha moment comes off as CLUELESS.

 

[Cjcinec]

Los Angeles Rams Salary Cap | Over the Cap

Los Angeles Rams salary cap, contracts, bonus money, dead money, and cap savings for every player

overthecap.com

Total Cap Liabilities: $267,643,736

• Top 51: $266,058,212
• Team Cap Space: $34,376,522
• Offense: $189,343,186
• Defense: $73,968,026
• Special: $3,632,000

Numbers are based on current structures of the contracts. If you extend some of the younger key players you can maximize cap space by allocating more to future years where the Rams are among the league leaders in cap space in2027 and currently the league most cap space for 2028. Lots of room to play with. Just have to decide which players you want to extend. Puka and Kobe are no brainers Young and Avila might have to play out 2026. Everything is tbd.

 

[Allen2McVay]

(Per OTC) ...

• Team Cap Space: $34,376,522

It was $43M just the other day but that reflected the 40 players under contract. 51 players is the minimum.

On Tuesday, the Rams signed ten practice squad players. All to minimum contracts ... just under $900K.
That's $9M, and reduced the $43M number down to $34M.

It's difficult to be certain about cap matters.
The other good site (Spotrac) has the Rams with a higher number.

There are also Pluses and Minuses to consider.

One big Minus is the Rookie Pool. Which I am guessing is in the $10-$14M range.

Some Pluses are the ability to create cap space via releases (Darious Williams would open-up $7.5M); and extensions for players under contract with big 2026 cap hits (Dotson and Parkinson are the best examples).

In my opinion, the Rams are in good cap shape ... not great.

 

[dieterbrock]

Can't pay everyone.

I didnt say pay everyone, but I'd easily extend Puka, Young, Turner and Avila

 

[Allen2McVay]

Numbers are based on current structures of the contracts. If you extend some of the younger key players you can maximize cap space by allocating more to future years

Yes but some of the younger players already have low 2026 cap hits because they are on their rookie deals.

Extensions would probably not create cap space for 2026.

Now, veterans that the Rams might want to retain, that are entering the final year of their contracts, would offer an opportunity to create cap space. Dotson and Parkinson combined represent a $26.5M cap hit in 2026 but are both in the final year of their deals. Extending them this off-season should reduce their 2026 cap hit.

By comparison, Nacua, Young, Turner and Avila have a combined 2026 cap hit of only around $20M.
That's less than just Dotson and Parkinson.

Everything is tbd.

Agree ... it's fluid.
Posters who are really interested should check Over-the-Cap and Spotrac.
Neither is perfect but both are solid; and ... IMO ... should be compared for inconsistencies.

 

[OldSchool]

View: https://x.com/AroundTheNFL/status/2017337026132250911



Also for the cap changes they have implemented Rookie Performance Escalators. That's where the sudden drop is coming from. For instance Puka's 2026 cap hit went up about $4.5 million.