The Rams have spent the offseason making noise with blockbuster moves, but the quieter work ahead may matter just as much. Los Angeles has already re-signed inside linebacker Nate Landman, safeties Quentin Lake and Kam Curl, and running back Kyren Williams, yet that only scratches the surface of what the roster needs.
The bigger issue is the sheer number of players headed toward expiring contracts. More than two dozen players tied to the 2026 roster are set to hit free agency, and that leaves the Rams staring at a major retention problem if they don’t start locking pieces down soon.
That urgency is especially clear on the offensive line and among the team’s core defenders and playmakers. The Rams need to extend 80 percent of the offensive line, along with several key contributors on both sides of the ball. The current roster is intact for this season, but the end-of-year picture could look very different if the front office waits too long.
There is some logic to the delay. Los Angeles is chasing a Super Bowl, so the immediate focus is on the season in front of it. But the longer the team waits, the more it risks getting boxed in by future payroll commitments and a roster that’s harder to manage around injuries or other needs.
One possible reason for the hold-up is the uncertainty around quarterback Matthew Stafford. Another is the team’s approach to wide receiver Puka Nacua, who could be the next major extension priority. The Rams would be in a stronger position to move forward with Stafford at season’s end if Nacua is already under contract, and that deal is expected to be expensive.
That’s why Nacua looks like the key domino. If the Rams follow past practice, general manager Les Snead would likely handle Nacua first, then turn to defensive standouts Byron Young and Kobie Turner.
After the season, the Rams are expected to focus on offensive line extensions for Kevin Dotson, Steve Avila, Coleman Shelton, and Warren McClendon. Only then would it be time to revisit Stafford’s contract.
In Other News...
Rams Linebacker Battle Suddenly Feels Bigger Than Fans Expected
The Rams have quietly added a few undrafted rookies after the draft, but the linebacker group is the one worth watching most closely. Nikhai Hill-Green has emerged as the most intriguing of the bunch because the team has a clear need for off-ball depth, and his profile fits what Los Angeles wants from the position. He has already packed more bulk onto his frame, and his best college tape came late, when he finished his senior season strong after stops at Michigan, Charlotte, Colorado and Alabama.
Hill-Green is now in the mix with Nate Landman and Omar Speights for a place in the linebacker rotation, and that competition matters because the Rams are sorting out more than just camp bodies. His ability in pass coverage gives him a different kind of value in a room where every role has to be earned, and that makes his path to the 53-man roster one of the more interesting subplots on the roster. Shaun Dolac is also part of the broader depth conversation, which only adds to the pressure on a group that suddenly feels a little more crowded than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Matthew Staffords Camp Plan Just Raised The Stakes Behind Him
The Rams opened training camp with a clear plan to keep Matthew Stafford fresh after his MVP season and record-setting start, a balancing act that has become part health management and part roster building. Sean McVay is spacing Staffords practice work so the veteran quarterback can stay sharp without being overtaxed, a sensible approach for a team that knows how much its offense still depends on him.
At the same time, the setup behind Stafford just got more interesting. Ty Simpson and Stetson Bennett are competing for the backup job, and Simpson is set to get more reps as camp begins, giving the Rams a better look at who can handle the No. 2 role if needed. For a team trying to protect its starter while also developing the next man up, those extra opportunities could end up mattering well beyond August. [Read more 🡒]
Puka Nacua Just Had Rams Fans Doing A Double Take Off Field
Puka Nacua gave Rams fans plenty to look at on Instagram, posting a fresh batch of photos that mixed football and star power. The wide receiver was shown in his Rams uniform, and the carousel also included moments alongside LeBron James and Jets running back Breece Hall, a reminder that Nacuas profile keeps rising well beyond the field in Los Angeles.
The timing only adds another layer to the attention around him, with Nacua entering the final year of his rookie deal and headed toward a bigger financial conversation down the road. Off the field, his name has also been in the news because of public accusations from ex-girlfriend Hallie Aiono, a situation that has drawn plenty of reaction while leaving Nacuas side of the story quiet for now. [Read more 🡒]