The last piece the Los Angeles Rams were waiting on has finally moved into place.
On Thursday, the Las Vegas Raiders and Fernando Mendoza agreed to terms on a rookie contract, and that development should clear the path for the Rams to get first-round quarterback Ty Simpson signed before training camp opens.
Simpson is still unsigned with just days left before the Rams report to camp on Saturday. He wasn’t the only rookie quarterback in that spot, either. Carson Beck and Drew Allar were also still without deals until Beck signed on Wednesday and Mendoza followed a day later.
Mendoza’s agreement is a four-year, $57.27 million fully guaranteed contract. With that deal now in place, Simpson is the only first-round pick left unsigned.
The hold-up has not been about the basic value of the contract. Since the rookie wage scale was introduced in 2011, the exact numbers have been known once the rookie pool figures were released on April 28. The sticking point is usually the secondary language, especially offsets and the way signing bonuses are paid.
That’s where Mendoza mattered. Even though he went first overall and Simpson went 13th, quarterback rookie deals tend to move in tandem, with one contract helping establish the framework for the next. Simpson had likely been waiting to see how the guarantee language and bonus structure would be handled before moving forward.
Now that Mendoza’s deal is done, that uncertainty is gone. The framework has been set, and the Rams can use it to finish Simpson’s contract.
Getting that done before camp matters for more than just paperwork. Simpson needs the reps as he learns the Sean McVay offense, and the team wants him on track as he competes with Stetson Bennett for the backup quarterback job.
The timing always seemed tied to Mendoza’s deal. With that now settled, the expectation is that Simpson’s contract should follow quickly. At this point, it looks like a matter of when, not if, the Rams and Simpson get it done before training camp begins.
In Other News...
Rams Linked To Proven WR Upgrade As One Depth Concern Lingers
The Rams have been mentioned as a logical place to look if they want to add another layer to their receiver room, with Sean McVays offense seen as the kind of setup that could make a versatile playmaker fit quickly. The appeal is straightforward: Los Angeles already has star power at the top of the depth chart, but there is still a need for more reliable options behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
Jordan Whittington, Xavier Smith and Konata Mumpfield are the names currently waiting in line for bigger roles, and that is where the conversation starts to feel real for the Rams. A proven veteran with a track record of impact would change the shape of the room in a hurry, even if no move has been made and no agreement is in place yet. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Suddenly Have A New Twist In Their Stafford Insurance Debate
The Rams have spent the offseason trying to sort out life behind Matthew Stafford, and the picture still looks unsettled. They drafted Ty Simpson and have Stetson Bennett in the mix for the backup job, but the conversation around that spot has only grown more complicated as the team looks for a quarterback who can provide real insurance if Stafford misses time.
Jimmy Garoppolo is now part of that discussion, which gives Los Angeles a familiar veteran name to weigh against its younger options. For a team trying to balance upside, development and reliability, the backup quarterback spot has become one of the more interesting decisions left on the board, even if the final answer is still not clear. [Read more 🡒]
George Kittle Just Put Rams Fans On Alert For Week 1
George Kittles latest update is the kind of thing Rams fans will notice immediately, even if it came in a podcast conversation rather than a formal injury report. The 49ers tight end is working his way back from the torn Achilles tendon he suffered in January, and he has been ahead of schedule in rehab, which has put his availability for the season opener back into the conversation.
For Los Angeles, the bigger issue is not just whether Kittle can get on the field in Week 1, but how much San Francisco is willing to ask of him that early in the year. Kittle has made it clear he is not looking to force anything if it would create a long-term problem, and with the opener set for Australia, the Rams will be watching closely to see how aggressive the 49ers decide to be with one of their most important weapons. [Read more 🡒]