No amount of Advil, greasy food, sleep, or hair of the dog could cure the Los Angeles Rams‘ Super Bowl hangover. Everything that could go wrong for Sean McVay and Les Snead did in 2022.
Turns out, “Eff Them Picks” isn’t super sustainable. But the Rams might have one last run in them if they nail their offseason. We break it all down, including the Rams’ free agents, cut candidates, and team needs, as L.A.’s winter in exile begins.
Los Angeles Rams Offseason Preview: One Last Hurrah?
The Rams’ biggest offseason question got an answer before the regular season even ended: Matthew Stafford plans to return for a 15th season.
Injuries made 2022 a year to forget for the Rams’ QB1, and there was chatter that Stafford might hang it up, but he set the record straight on his wife’s podcast.
He’s in for 2023 — with a very affordable $20 million cap figure.
Even with that discount, however, the Rams have cap concerns and just two picks in the draft’s first four rounds.
Our guess: They’re going to load up for one last run, restructuring the meaty contracts of Jalen Ramsey, Cooper Kupp, Aaron Donald, and others. A series of pretty easy moves could free up nearly $70 million in cap space, giving them the latitude they need to address needs through free agency.
That approach would make 2024 a total disaster financially, but who cares? Not Stafford, McVay, or Donald — who could all be in retirement by then.
Rams’ 2023 Salary Cap Space
According to Spotrac, the Rams, as of early January, were over the 2023 salary cap by $2.7 million, giving them the 11th-worst situation in the NFL.
That figure includes $2.9 million in dead cap and $2.5 million in rollover space. It’s based on an estimated $225 million NFL salary cap in 2023.
The exact cap figure will not be known until the NFL announces it in early March.
Rams Free Agents 2023
The following Rams players are set to hit free agency. (Restricted free agents are noted with the abbreviation RFA; exclusive rights free agents by ERFA.)
- RB Malcolm Brown
- DT Marquise Copeland (ERFA)
- P Riley Dixon
- G David Edwards
- OT Bobby Evans
- DT Greg Gaines
- K Matt Gay
- S Jake Gervase (ERFA)
- CB Grant Haley
- CB Troy Hill
- DT Mike Hoecht (ERFA)
- OLB Travin Howard (ERFA)
- CB Shaun Jolly (ERFA)
- CB David Long
- QB Baker Mayfield
- RT Ty Nsekhe
- LS Matthew Orzech
- QB Bryce Perkins (ERFA)
- WR Brandon Powell
- S Taylor Rapp
- DE A’Shawn Robinson
- LB Christian Rozeboom (ERFA)
- S Nick Scott
- C Matt Skura
- QB John Wolford (RFA)
Defensive Lineman A’Shawn Robinson
Spotrac’s calculated market value: Three years, $24.1 million ($8 million AAV)
Overview: Among the many, many things that went wrong for the Rams in 2022: Robinson suffered a season-ending knee injury in November. He will enter the offseason rehabbing following surgery for a torn meniscus. But assuming he passes a physical, Robinson — a dependable run-stopper with 61 starts in seven seasons — should have a market.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield
Spotrac’s calculated market value: Two years, $13.1 million ($6.5 million AAV)
Overview: Mayfield played well enough during his short time in L.A. that his third team in six months won’t end up being his last opportunity. But the part of his career in which he’s a no-doubt starting quarterback is likely over. But the best-case scenario for Mayfield going forward is becoming the next Geno Smith — enjoying a career renaissance on a team with no expectations.
Potential Cut Candidates
- C Brian Allen ($4.6 million in cap savings)
- TE Tyler Higbee ($3.4 million)
- RB Cam Akers ($1.5 million)
Rams’ Team Needs Heading Into 2023 Offseason
- Offensive Tackle
- Guard
- EDGE
- Cornerback
- Linebacker