| News |
|---|
|
Britain Covey Britain Covey Gets one-year deal with Rams
Mon, May 5, 2025, 2:23 PM
Los Angeles signed Covey (neck) to a one-year contract Monday.
Analysis: Covey spent last year with the Eagles, securing seven of eight targets for 34 yards across his five regular-season appearances. A neck injury sustained Week 13 forced Covey to land on IR, and though he resumed practicing in full late during the playoffs, he wasn't able to gain clearance in time to suit up for Philadelphia's win over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. Now healthy, Covey will compete for an opportunity to earn a depth role with the Rams. |
|
Matthew Stafford Matthew Stafford Finalizes two-year, $84M deal
Mon, May 5, 2025, 1:23 PM
Stafford and the Rams finalized terms on a two-year, $84 million contract Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Stafford finally put pen to paper Monday after the two sides agreed to continue their relationship back in February. Stafford will collect $44 million in 2025, and if he's on the roster at the start of the 2026 league year, he'll earn another $40 million for that season. Stafford recently turned 37 years old this offseason, but coach Sean McVay has already stated he believes the quarterback has multiple good seasons left in the tank. Stafford completed 65.8 percent of his passes last season, throwing for 3,762 yards and a 20:8 TD:INT across 16 regular-season starts. |
|
Tyler Higbee Tyler Higbee May be challenged by rookie
Mon, Apr 28, 2025, 12:42 PM
The Rams spent a second-round pick on TE Terrance Ferguson, who some scouts have compared to Higbee, per Tyler Greenawalt of Rams Wire.
Analysis: The comparison makes sense if talking about Higbee as a draft prospect back in 2016, at which point he was carrying 249 pounds on a 6-foot-6 frame and mostly valued for pass-catching potential. It doesn't fit as well when discussing the current version of Higbee, listed at 255 pounds and valued for versatility. He's proven capable of taking on significant receiving workloads when needed, including during last season's playoffs, but it's never been something that coach Sean McVay prefers to do. With Ferguson competing for TE snaps and Davante Adams a probable upgrade on Cooper Kupp at wide receiver, Higbee appears unlikely to draw more than four or five targets per game, if that, in 2025. Higbee's bet shot at fantasy value would entail Adams or Puka Nacua missing time while Ferguson fails to earn a role. |
|
Tutu Atwell Tutu Atwell Expected to see increased snaps
Wed, Apr 2, 2025, 6:26 PM
Rams coach Sean McVay indicated that Atwell is going to be on the field "a lot more" this upcoming season after re-signing with Los Angeles on a one-year, $10 million contract in March, Stu Jackson of the team's official website reports.
Analysis: "I haven't done a good enough job of utilizing him," McVay said. "When you look at the times when he's been able to play, whether that be because some people were out or not, he has produced and he's delivered, and we're looking forward to seeing more of that ascension. He's going to be on the field a lot more, particularly in a lot of those three-receiver sets." With the ouster of Cooper Kupp and Demarcus Robinson's exit in free agency coupled with the signing of Davante Adams, the Rams are expected to field a three-wide set of Puka Nacua, Adams and Atwell in 2025. As McVay noted, Atwell was particularly impressive on a per-snap basis last season, posting a strong 2.24 yards-per-route-run number. He'll be worth following this summer ahead of fantasy drafts as a potential late-round option. |
|
Kyren Williams Kyren Williams Discussing extension
Mon, Mar 31, 2025, 3:22 PM
Rams GM Les Snead said Monday that he wants to "engineer a long-term partnership" with Williams, Gary Klein of the LA Times reports.
Analysis: Williams has been a polarizing player in the fantasy sphere since his 2023 breakout, and that's unlikely to change after he dipped to 4.1 YPC in 2024 while fumbling six times (including once in the playoffs). He otherwise had another big year, ranking third in carries per game (19.8), sixth in rushing yards per game (81.2) and tied for fifth in rushing touchdowns (14), giving him 26 rushing scores and five receiving TDs in 38 regular-season games over the past two seasons. Blake Corum, a 2024 third-round pick, never made a serious push to threaten Williams last season, and it sounds like the Rams would rather give Williams a contract extension than search for his replacement. Snead said he's already exchanged initial contract terms with agent Drew Rosenhaus. |
|
Ronnie Rivers Ronnie Rivers Staying in Los Angeles
Sun, Mar 16, 2025, 1:22 PM
Rivers signed a one-year contract with the Rams on Sunday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Rivers opened the 2024 regular season as the Rams' No. 2 running back behind Kyren Williams, but he was eventually bumped down to third string by rookie Blake Corum. Rivers saw plenty of work on special teams for the Rams last season and should reprise that role in 2025. He finished the 2024 campaign with 22 carries for 99 yards and five catches (on six targets) for 34 yards across 17 regular-season games. |
|
Drake Stoops Drake Stoops Suspended two games
Tue, Mar 11, 2025, 3:27 PM
Stoops has been suspended the first two games of the 2025 regular season for violating the NFL's policy regarding performance-enhancing substances, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Stoops will have to miss the first two games of 2025, but he can still participate in training camp and preseason contests without restrictions. This development could negatively impact his odds of earning a reserve spot on the 53-man roster, though. He spent the entire 2024 campaign on the Rams' practice squad and wasn't elevated for a single game. |
|
Cooper Kupp Cooper Kupp Release expected soon
Mon, Mar 10, 2025, 5:33 PM
The Rams are expected to release Kupp after the beginning of the new league year Wednesday, barring a trade coming to pass, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Through eight pro campaigns, Kupp has only two 1,000-yard seasons to his name, but his 146-1.947-16 line on 191 targets from 2021 will serve as one of the greatest years for a wide receiver in NFL history. Since then, he's missed 18 games while averaging a 67-753-5.7 line on 97.7 targets per season from 2022-24. The arrival of fifth-round pick Puka Nacua in 2023 resulted in a changing of the guard as the top pass catcher in the Rams offense, and Sunday's signing of Davante Adams gives the team an upgrade at No. 2. L.A. has been seeking to trade Kupp since at least early February, but considering his recent returns and age (he turns 32 in June), the Rams haven't garnered any notable interest as of yet. In any case, clarity on his situation figures to arrive in the near future. |
|
Jimmy Garoppolo Jimmy Garoppolo Re-signs with Rams
Mon, Mar 10, 2025, 11:55 AM
Garoppolo is re-signing with the Rams on a one-year contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: This comes as no surprise, after Garoppolo threw for 334 yards and two touchdowns in a Week 18 loss to Seattle while mostly playing with other backups (against the Seahawks' starters). It was an impressive performance, and a far cry from what Garoppolo did the year before in seven games for the Raiders (seven TDs, nine interceptions). In any case, he's 33 years old and will return to Los Angeles as Matthew Stafford's backup. |
|
Davante Adams Davante Adams Headed to the Rams
Sun, Mar 9, 2025, 6:15 PM
Adams agreed to a two-year, $46 million deal with the Rams on Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Adams' deal includes $26 million in guaranteed salary, per Rapoport, which likely makes it rather easy for the Rams to move on from him after the 2025 season if they so choose. The 32-year-old was released by the Jets in a salary-shedding move last Tuesday and was seen as perhaps the top available wide receiver ahead of the free-agent negotiating window starting Monday. Adams recorded 85 catches for 1,063 yards and eight touchdowns over 14 games split between the Raiders (three) and Jets (11), and he has totaled over 1,000 yards in all but one of the last seven seasons. He'll now join a Rams squad that boasts Pro Bowl veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, who agreed to a re-structured contract that kept him in Los Angeles this offseason. Longtime Rams wideout Cooper Kupp is also expected to be either cut or traded this offseason. His expected departure should leave Adams to fill a significant hole alongside budding star receiver Puka Nacua in this receiving corps, which also includes Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington. |
|
Tutu Atwell Tutu Atwell Back with L. A. on one-year deal
Thu, Mar 6, 2025, 10:41 AM
Atwell and the Rams agreed to terms Thursday on a one-year, $10 million contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Atwell, a 2021 second-round pick, was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but he'll instead return to Los Angeles on a fully guaranteed one-year, $10 million contract. Coming off a 2024 campaign in which he compiled a career-best 42-562-0 receiving line across 17 regular-season contests, the timing and guarantees of Atwell's deal signal that the Rams view him as a valued contributor on offense, especially in the context of Cooper Kupp's expected departure this offseason. With Demarcus Robinson still a pending unrestricted free agent, returning quarterback Matthew Stafford's top wideouts next season could feature a lineup of Puka Nacua, Atwell and Jordan Whittington. |
|
Tyler Higbee Tyler Higbee Remaining in L.A. for 2025
Mon, Mar 3, 2025, 11:33 AM
Rams head coach Sean McVay said Monday that Higbee will remain with Los Angeles for the 2025 season, the final year of his contract, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.
Analysis: McVay said the same of veteran offensive tackle Rob Havenstein, calling the Rams offense "different" when both veterans are healthy and on the field. Higbee missed all but three of Los Angeles' regular-season games in 2024 while working his way back from offseason knee and shoulder surgeries, most notably recovering from an ACL tear sustained during the 2023 playoffs, but the 32-year-old tight end managed to impress once he was back in action. In two postseason games against the Vikings and Eagles, he secured 12 of 15 targets for 112 yards and a score. With Matthew Stafford's return and Cooper Kupp still looking unlikely to be retained for 2025, Higbee could be facing increased opportunities on offense behind star wideout Puka Nacua. |
|
Cooper Kupp Cooper Kupp Still likely to be traded or cut
Mon, Mar 3, 2025, 9:32 AM
Kupp remains unlikely to stay with the Rams for 2025, SI.com's Albert Breer reports.
Analysis: There was some thought Kupp and Matthew Stafford would both be traded/released and move on to the same team. Stafford instead signed a new contract, but that apparently doesn't mean Kupp will do the same, as the Rams are hoping to free up cap space and may envision Jordan Whittington quickly becoming an effective replacement in the slot. Kupp will turn 32 in June and has two years remaining on his contract, with the remaining non-guaranteed money consisting of a $12.5 million base salary in 2025, a $14.85 million base salary in 2026 and a $5 million roster bonus in 2026. Given his age and recent injury troubles, Kupp is unlikely to attract much trade interest without a pay cut, which means he'd probably be better off if the Rams simply released him before the start of the new league year and allowed him to hit the open market at a time when numerous teams have a need at his position as well as plenty of cap space. If a trade happens instead, it'll likely be for a late draft pick. |
|
Matthew Stafford Matthew Stafford Sticking with Rams
Fri, Feb 28, 2025, 12:35 PM
Stafford and the Rams agreed to terms Friday on a restructured contract that will keep him in Los Angeles and eliminate any possibilities of a trade this offseason, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Interest in Stafford as a potential trade acquisition appeared to have been building significant momentum during the week of the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, with the Giants and Raiders headlining the list of suitors, but the veteran signal-caller has ultimately agreed to stick with the Rams and head coach Sean McVay, as confirmed by the team's official social media accounts. Further details regarding Stafford's restructured contract should arrive in short order, but it seems probable both sides agreed to a mutually beneficial short-term, potentially front-loaded deal. The 37-year-old's continued tenure in Los Angeles is a positive development for the fantasy stock of both Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams, as it preserves key continuity in McVay's offensive scheme, though Cooper Kupp seemingly remains on the trade block. |
|
Matthew Stafford Matthew Stafford Meeting with team Friday
Fri, Feb 28, 2025, 8:21 AM
Stafford is meeting with the Rams in Los Angeles on Friday to discuss his future with the team, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: According to Russini, both the Giants and Raiders have already met with Stafford and discussed two-year deals that include $90-to-$100 million guaranteed, and a decision is expected soon. The new league year kicks off in two weeks, and it would be safe to assume everyone involved here would like to have a resolution by that time. The Rams allowed Stafford to talk to teams and dictate his market and worth. Stafford is likely looking for a substantial raise on the $40 million per year he's currently making. It's difficult to see him not getting that. |
|
Matthew Stafford Matthew Stafford Interest from Giants, Raiders
Wed, Feb 26, 2025, 4:15 PM
The Giants and Raiders are among the teams who have expressed interest in acquiring Stafford (ribs) since the Rams granted his agent permission to talk with other teams about his contract terms, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Stafford met with the Giants at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, and the veteran quarterback also had what's been termed as an "unplanned" meeting with Raiders minority owner Tom Brady in Montana recently, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Rams gave Stafford permission to speak to other teams with the two sides having yet to come to agreement on a number regarding his next contract. Stafford is under contract for two more seasons with the Rams, but he wants a new deal that includes a raise and guaranteed money. It's possible he's angling for a deal worth at least $50 million annually, which would put him in the upper tier of quarterbacks; he's currently the league's 15th-highest-paid signal caller at $40 million per year. |
|
Matthew Stafford Matthew Stafford Extension or trade both possible
Fri, Feb 21, 2025, 3:37 PM
The Rams hope to reach a contract agreement with Stafford (ribs) but may try to trade him if the two sides can't agree on numbers, Cameron DaSilva of Rams Wire reports.
Analysis: NFL Network's Tom Telissero reported Friday that the Rams recently gave Stafford's agent permission to talk with other teams to help assess the QB's value. The idea, it would seem, is for the Rams to figure out if they're willing to pay Stafford as much as another team would, which can move negotiations forward (or not). His contract was also an issue last offseason, when Stafford had three years remaining without any guaranteed money. The Rams adjusted his contract in July, but now they have a similar situation at hand, with Stafford scheduled to make $27 million and $31 million for the final two years of his contract. Those figures are way below market value for a competent starting QB, but that's partially because Stafford received a huge signing bonus in 2022 and a restructure bonus in 2024, which is reflected in his cap hits for the next two seasons ($49.7 million and $53.7 million). An extension would allow the Rams to lower those cap hits while making Stafford happy, but it would also mean adding to the eventual dead-money cap charge when he's retired or released. Stafford turned 37 earlier in February, and right now it's not clear he'll be back in Los Angeles for 2025. |
|
Cooper Kupp Cooper Kupp Says team plans to trade him
Mon, Feb 3, 2025, 6:39 PM
Kupp announced Monday evening that the Rams informed him they will be looking to trade him in the immediate future.
Analysis: "I was informed that the team will be seeking a trade immediately and will be working with me and my family to find the right place to continue competing for championships," Kupp wrote Monday. "I don't agree with the decision and always believed it was going to begin and end in LA." He said after the Rams' divisional-round loss to the Eagles that he planned to continue his playing career, but it always felt like it was headed this direction, with the Rams and Kupp parting ways. Kupp turns 32 years old in June and is coming off an extremely slow finish to the 2024 season, one in which he was clearly overtaken as the Rams' WR1 by Puka Nacua. Kupp has two years left on his current contract, one that is set to pay him $12.5 million and $14.85 million salaries the next two seasons. It may be a difficult contract to move, but the acquiring team would likely look to restructure Kupp's deal. The Rams may envision Jordan Whittington as Kupp's much cheaper replacement out of the slot. |
|
Xavier Smith Xavier Smith Used primarily as return man
Fri, Jan 31, 2025, 1:59 PM
Smith caught two passes for six yards, rushed twice for 30 yards and logged 155 yards as a kick returner and 178 yards as a punt returner during the 2024 regular season.
Analysis: After spending all of 2023 on the practice squad, the Rams brought Smith on to serve as a return specialist, and he accrued a total of 333 yards in the role. Smith is under contract with the Rams for one more season, and with Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell and Tyler Johnson all unrestricted free agents, a more expanded role may be in the cards for Smith in 2025. |
|
Tyler Johnson Tyler Johnson Modest numbers as a backup
Fri, Jan 31, 2025, 1:58 PM
Johnson caught 26 passes for 291 yards and a touchdown during the 2024 regular season.
Analysis: Given the Rams' injury woes for much of the season, Johnson's second season with the team bore more fruit, as he was on the field for 345 snaps on offense and held his own when pressed into significant action, including a 5-79-0 line in the Week 1 opener against the Lions. The Rams have a lot of questions in the offseason at wide receiver, with Cooper Kupp a candidate for trade or release and Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell and Johnson all unrestricted free agents, but Johnson's budding role may entice the Rams to give him another shot to work alongside Puka Nacua, Jordan Whittington and Xavier Smith. |
Connect With Us:
