The Los Angeles Rams pass rush erupted for 16 quarterback sacks in just two games in the NFL Playoffs. Not only was that a jaw-dropping performance unto itself, but it was the type of overwhelmingly successful postseason performance that elevates fans' expectations for the following season. And since the Rams' defense only generated 38 quarterback sacks last season, which was only good enough to fall as the 21st-ranked NFL pass rush, there is plenty of room to grow.
In just two games, the Rams managed to generate over 42 percent of their entire 2024 regular season number of quarterback sacks. That is far better than anyone hoped for.
But there are more than huge performances awaiting the Rams shortly. You see, several young Rams pass rushers are likely to use outstanding performance in recent NFL Playoffs to turn into huge NFL payoffs. The Rams are no strangers to huge mega-deals, having made it a point to ensure that All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald remained one of the highest-paid non-quarterback NFL players of his time.
Now that he is retired, other NFL stars are aiming for that lofty perch.
The Rams do not have to shed players to free up salary cap space quite yet. The Rams have two more seasons on the rookie contracts of OLB Byron Young and DT Kobie Turner. While both players have contributed far beyond expectations of their Round 3 selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, neither has elevated their performance level to that of an NFL Pro Bowl or All-Pro, yet.
But the Rams front office has to keep current contract negotiations that are taking place for T.J. Watt, Trey Hendrickson, and Micah Parsons to have a firm idea of what the fair market price of their young stars may become when they are eligible at the end of the 2025 NFL season.
As soon as those contracts are either inked or abandoned, the team will have a new pair of overachievers to negotiate contract extensions with DROY OLB Jared Verse and DT Braden Fiske. Can the team afford to pay all four young players what they are worth when the time comes? Believe it or not, some NFL analysts are already suggesting the answer to that question is no.
Need a fair way to estimate how long the Rams foresee retaining veteran QB Matthew Stafford? By the time OLB Jared Verse is seeking his first mega-payday, the team will need to pivot to a far more affordable quarterback on a rookie deal. Since the Rams hold a fifth-year option for Verse, the team can afford Stafford through 2027 before they will need to flip huge sacks of cash from the offense to the defense.
How expensive will extending OLBs Byrron Young and Jared Verse become? Keep your eye on current contract negotiations. The Rams must prepare to pay their rising defensive stars soon, and the deals that are done today are just the beginning.
As always, thanks for reading.
