The Los Angeles Rams have struggled out of the gate this year, but one bright spot on the team has been running back Kyren Williams. Williams had a breakout season in 2023 after taking over for former starter Cam Akers, amassing 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns on just 228 carries. He averaged 5.0 yards per carry and also added another 206 receiving yards and three touchdowns through the air.
The Rams standout running back has continued his success in this early part of 2024 with 360 yards rushing and six touchdowns. As it sits right now, Williams ranks in the NFL’s top 10 for rushing yards (ninth) and is also tied for first in the NFL in rushing touchdowns with the Ravens’ Derrick Henry.
Williams is currently in the third-year of his rookie deal, with next season being the last year on his contract. If Rams have any long-term plans for Williams to continue being their guy past 2025, they may need to consider resigning him sooner-rather-than-later as his price tag is only going up with each successful week he continues to put together.
Currently on a streak for rushing touchdowns, Williams has scored one TD in each of his last eight games going all the way back to last season. It is already the second-longest streak in franchise history. He is also third in the NFL for most first downs, ranking behind only the Saints Alvin Kamara and Henry again.
At only 24-years-old, if Williams continues his current success, the Rams most-likely would not want to allow him to hit the open market after next season. He would have multiple suitors given his age and historic rushing success, and potentially could be priced out of Los Angeles if he was given the chance to meet with other teams.
LA did draft Michigan’s Blake Corum in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft, however thus far he has not been given many opportunities to see the field. It remains to be seen if he was drafted as a compliment to Williams, or a potential replacement if the Rams think Williams will come at too steep of a price.
Still, Williams is an emotional leader in the locker room and brings almost as much to the team’s culture off the field as he does to the team’s success on it. Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, Williams was a Rams fan as a kid and he has become one of the fan base’s favorite players. He feels like an unexpendable player on the roster at this point, and given his skill as a bell-cow back, all signs seem to point to Williams getting his first real payday soon. Hopefully it will come in the form of an extension by the Rams.
