Breaking News: Los Angeles Rams Cut Chris Long, James Laurinaitis, and Jared Cook

This part of the offseason is always difficult for players, coaches, and fans. It’s what makes everybody realize that the NFL isn’t just a game and there is a business aspect to it. According to ESPN’s Adam Caplan as well as team insider, Nick Wagoner, the Los Angeles Rams have cut three major players on their roster that include Chris Long, James Laurinaitis, and Jared Cook.

Adam Caplan put this in perfect words….”Wow.” These are three big name players on the Rams’ roster, especially Long and Laurinaitis. Long and Laurinaitis were big parts of the Rams defense and were a part of Rams teams that didnt win very many games yet gave their all each and every week no matter the circumstance.

In their time in St. Louis, Laurinaitis ended by being the leading tackler in franchise history and Long ended 4th on the franchise sack list. To say the least, they made their mark on the franchise being fan favorites as well.

Cook on the other hand was a free agent bust and never became the threat that the team hoped he would in the passing game. Between temper tantrums and concentration drops, not to mention his inability to block, Cook was an all-around bust.

By cutting Long, Laurinaitis, and Cook, the Rams save about $24 million salary cap space according to Wagoner. With 12 free agents including Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson that the team would like to bring back, these types of moves were necessary.

The Rams now have an estimated $59-million in cap space to use on pending free agents. This amount would give the Rams ability to make a big splash in free agency if needed as well if they still have enough left over after re-signing their own free agents.

This was not an easy move at all for the Rams to make, but it was one that was necessary. They have opened up some cap space which should make for a fun offseason.