The Los Angeles Rams find themselves in a peculiar position, just a year away from a Super Bowl title, but with a recent 5-12 season and currently sitting about $14 million over the salary cap.
As a result, Rams general manager Les Snead recognized the need to “reshape,” not rebuild, the roster … which could include trading several big-name players.
According to ESPN, quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Cooper Kupp are “not going anywhere,” but defensive tackle Aaron Donald, outside linebacker Leonard Floyd and cornerback Jalen Ramsey give Los Angeles “something to look forward to.” think”.
Stafford, Kupp, Donald and Ramsey were the faces of the Rams in the Super Bowl and are considered among the best players at their position … when healthy, which the top three were not last season.
Losing Floyd would also be a considerable blow, as his nine sacks led the Rams and he was tied for the team lead in tackles for loss with 10.
But of these five, one stood out particularly as a potential business candidate for an anonymous AFC personnel director.
“(Ramsey) is one that I think the Rams will at least explore (on the move),” the personnel director told ESPN. “He’s still a great player, but the game has slowed down a bit and he could use a change of scenery.”
Ramsey, 28, went neither to a Pro Bowl nor to an All-Pro for the first time since his rookie year (2016), recording four interceptions and 18 passes defensed in 17 games, all starts.
He recently hinted at a possible departure, tweeting “if that’s the end of it I’m out with a BANG!”
While moving on from the stars is never easy, it might be the only option for Snead and the Rams to move forward, an unfortunate side effect of the aggressive moves that ultimately gave the team its second Super Bowl title.
But that was then, and this is now: the harsh reality that Los Angeles needs to be below the salary cap to build a team and try to make it back to the postseason next year.
And that, on many fronts, gives the Rams “something to think about.”
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
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