Fowler on Rams extensions

[fanotodd]

So…once again, nobody expects BY to be back?
Wow, I think he’s been an excellent player for the Rams who has improved each year. He made the pro bowl last season (his 3rd).

 

[Wisconsinram]

For conversations sake, I'm surprised Fiske hasn't been mentioned much. Personally, I think his relative production is going to rise as much as anyone's with the addition of MG.

 

[Tumak61]

I noticed that McClendon wasn't mentioned.

But, during the season they'd better lock up Young or Turner before their stats explode with all the attention Garrett is going to get.

They'll factor that in, but they may feel that they can reload around Garrett rather than pay big money to Young or Turner.

 

[Ramstien]

I know they can't keep everyone, but I sure would like to see the Rams find a way to retain Young and Turner.

 

[BonifayRam]

I realize we have 16 pending free agents. Turner may be the 2nd most important on the list.

I believe you pay your top performers no matter what side of the ball they're on. For example, I'm not signing an Avila over him just because he's on offense. In terms of productivity and impact, Turner is near the top of the list of those 16 free agents.

I'd prioritize signing Puka, Turner, one of Dotson/Avila, and possibly McClendon.

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/market-value/_/id/82381/kobie-turner

Kobie Turner will be greatly desired by the rest of the NFL after helping win the Rams a Championship next to MG. My opinion of Turner's excellent performance the last few seasons was better than my opinion of Verse's. I'll will tone down my icy cold wet blanket throwing of reality.

Market Value​

• 4 years, $117,428,132
• Avg. Salary: $29,357,033

 

[FrantikRam]

So…once again, nobody expects BY to be back?
Wow, I think he’s been an excellent player for the Rams who has improved each year. He made the pro bowl last season (his 3rd).

Its just a numbers game. He plays at a position that is always over valued in FA, AND his stats dictated he will make around $25-30 million per year. Plus Stewart can probably take over there, meanwhile, Kobie is a better overall player, likely cheaper and plays inside where we have MG outside now.

Puka is priority number one, but IMO he will be franchised. He's the rare player who we would save money if we did that, and while he could get mad, the logic is 'mature and then we'll pay you'. If we don't extend him this summer, I would imagine it goes that way.

All that said....my logic has shifted with Garrett. Previously, Verse and Turner would have been the anchors. Garrett being on another level, I think it makes more sense to prioritize Puka and then the OL. We couldn't re-sign everyone, but getting Dotson and either Avila or McClendon would be better IMO. We could still supplement the OL with rookies beyond that.

The DL starters sans Young and Turner would be Fiske and Stewart. Not necessarily ideal, but with Garrett we likely will have to make tough decisions after the season and I would rather keep the offense intact. Though if we win it all and Stafford retires, then at that point, I want EVERYONE re-signed

 

[RamDino]

After Bryon Young got off to a fast start last year.. some pundits were calling for him to possibly make around 40 to 50 million per year. Even though he had more sacks last year, he did slow down after that knee injury. But.. he is only 28 years old and still in his prime. I love his speed on the outside... no QB is gonna outrun him. But I don't think he is a "special type" of edge rusher meaning he has no great moves like bending, bull-rushing, swim, or spin move. I would love to see him stay on the team, but I don't think the Rams can afford him. He will, however, provide a very nice compensatory pick in the 27 draft. Hopefully Stewart will make a jump this year or the Rams can spend a high pick on another edge in 27.

 

[FrantikRam]

Actually it looks like even with MG and Stafford on the books, we're projected to have $87 million in cap space next year.

So now I want Puka, Turner, Dotson, and Avila or McClendon - if we can swing all that.

 

[PhillyRam]

Actually it looks like even with MG and Stafford on the books, we're projected to have $87 million in cap space next year.

So now I want Puka, Turner, Dotson, and Avila or McClendon - if we can swing all that.

I saw that on OTC, but I didn't see Stafford's new numbers yet. Still showed him as a UFA in 27'. Thats wrong. I think Spotrac has estimated his contract and had us in the $54M range for 27' cap space. I haven't looked yet today at Spotrac.

 

[PhillyRam]

The dream scenario is for the Rams to win a couple SBs with Stafford in 27' & 28', then he retires and then his big cap hits come off the books (there will be some dead cap from void years, but the big cap hits will come off). Then Simpson takes over, the new extension's bigger cap hits come into play, but Simpson will be cheap for 3 years. Even if Garrett taps out after 3 or 4 yrs then he comes off the books. So the cap should be in decent shape.

 

[rdlkgliders]

I found his performance to be much better than top 2023 draft selection Steve Avila

He grades out pretty impressively top 15 and his counterpart KD is top 10.

The key to our OL is health especially at the tackle position. We are an injury away from possibly greatly impacting the offense.
I will be watching the pre season and tracking TC to see who steps up as viable subs should we need them.

 

[majrleaged]

For conversations sake, I'm surprised Fiske hasn't been mentioned much. Personally, I think his relative production is going to rise as much as anyone's with the addition of MG.

Yeah, I think the D front's floor just went thru the roof.

 

[FrantikRam]

I saw that on OTC, but I didn't see Stafford's new numbers yet. Still showed him as a UFA in 27'. Thats wrong. I think Spotrac has estimated his contract and had us in the $54M range for 27' cap space. I haven't looked yet today at Spotrac.

Spotrac has it, but it looks like we did some void years after to keep the cap hit lower in 2027. I could be misreading, but that's what it looks like

 

[Coliseum Ram]

The dream scenario is for the Rams to win a couple SBs with Stafford in 27' & 28', then he retires and then his big cap hits come off the books (there will be some dead cap from void years, but the big cap hits will come off). Then Simpson takes over, the new extension's bigger cap hits come into play, but Simpson will be cheap for 3 years. Even if Garrett taps out after 3 or 4 yrs then he comes off the books. So the cap should be in decent shape.

Simpson 's 5th year isn't cheap, even though it's part of the rookie contract, that year balloons. And also thats IF we pick up his option.

True, its cheap-ER, than his 2nd Contract would be.

 

[BonifayRam]

He grades out pretty impressively top 15 and his counterpart KD is top 10.

The key to our OL is health especially at the tackle position. We are an injury away from possibly greatly impacting the offense.
I will be watching the pre season and tracking TC to see who steps up as viable subs should we need them.

I for one would prefer to try to squeeze one more season out of #9 in 2027 before turning over the keys to this offense. In order to do that you better make that OL enticing.

I always place a priority on keeping the Rams OL healthy & operational when certain parts go out. Keeping the OL fully functional & good fresh premium reserve parts is part of that.

Last season our long term RT part when out for good & the replacement was a better working part. I am going to try to keep that part if possible.

5 player OL is largest functioning unit. Rams got lucky 2025 when McClendon & Dedich were inserted they permitted the team to win more than loose. This off season Snead did good, loaded the OL unit with a good size amount of rookie prospects to work in for possible grooming for future starts.

Of the 4 UFA OL'ers when the season ends I would be working hard now to contract RG Kevin Dotson & RT Warren McClendon. leaving the LG & OC in 2027 for replacement parts.

 

[BonifayRam]

Yeah, I think the D front's floor just went thru the roof.

That's a majrleaged understatement!

This DL is now backed up with potentially the best secondary in the NFL.

 

[DzRams]

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/market-value/_/id/82381/kobie-turner

Kobie Turner will be greatly desired by the rest of the NFL after helping win the Rams a Championship next to MG. My opinion of Turner's excellent performance the last few seasons was better than my opinion of Verse's. I'll will tone down my icy cold wet blanket throwing of reality.

Market Value​

• 4 years, $117,428,132
• Avg. Salary: $29,357,033

I'm aware. All of them will be paid a lot of money.

IMO, having a better opinion of Turner than Verse is valid, although I won't go quite that far. But it's for that reason he should be resigned. If Verse was hitting free agency, we wouldn't let him get away.

Pay the man his $25-$30 mil.

 

[PhillyRam]

I for one would prefer to try to squeeze one more season out of #9 in 2027 before turning over the keys to this offense. In order to do that you better make that OL enticing.

I always place a priority on keeping the Rams OL healthy & operational when certain parts go out. Keeping the OL fully functional & good fresh premium reserve parts is part of that.

Last season our long term RT part when out for good & the replacement was a better working part. I am going to try to keep that part if possible.

5 player OL is largest functioning unit. Rams got lucky 2025 when McClendon & Dedich were inserted they permitted the team to win more than loose. This off season Snead did good, loaded the OL unit with a good size amount of rookie prospects to work in for possible grooming for future starts.

Of the 4 UFA OL'ers when the season ends I would be working hard now to contract RG Kevin Dotson & RT Warren McClendon. leaving the LG & OC in 2027 for replacement parts.

I saw Tyler Decker is still unsigned. I wonder if he would come here to join his old QB, on a reasonable deal, to back up OT? Probably not, but he would be a great insurance policy.

 

[PARAM]

Rams got lucky 2025 when McClendon & Dedich were inserted they permitted the team to win more than loose.

Why were "they lucky"? McClendon had 2 years in the Rams system and Dedich had a year under his belt prior to 2025. Some might say they were talented and well coached. This year, projections may be the starting OL from last year plus Queesenberry (in his 9th year, 2nd with the Rams), Dedich (in his 3rd year with the Rams), Limmer (in his 3rd year with the Rams) and the rookie Trost. Keep in mind these guys are very well coached.......Wendell is in his 4th year this year. The chances are good this line may be together again in 2027......or 7/9's, 8/9's of them.