5 LA Rams players who won’t be back for the 2020 season

Safety Eric Weddle

The first loss of a Rams’ player for the 2020 season had already occurred when veteran safety Eric Weddle declared his retirement from the NFL. Prior to that announcement, we had already named Weddle as a likely cap casualty. With the return to health of safety John Johnson and the surprising proficiency of rookie safety Taylor Rapp, Weddle suddenly became the odd man out in the defensive backfield.

More from Rams Free Agency

• What if…? This LA Rams IOL shockingly opts for free agency?
• LA Rams should add ‘pass-rush specialist’ in free agency
• Should the LA Rams revisit bringing Odell Beckham Jr. back?
• Why the Los Angeles Rams should extend Baker Mayfield
• Baker Mayfield faces stiff QB competition in NFL Free Agency market

Weddle played very well for the LA Rams and was huge for the team when Johnson fell to injury. His 2019 numbers skyrocketed in fact. His tackles in 2019 rose by nearly 60 percent, despite playing a similar number of defensive snaps from the previous season. He was second overall on the team for tackles, trailing only inside linebacker Cory Littleton.

But the Rams saw the dominance of both Rapp and Johnson in pass coverage, and understandably want to see more of both in 2020.  Both Johnson and Rapp pulled down two interceptions apiece, while Weddle could not come up with one all season.

Of course, Weddle’s retirement opens the Rams roster for depth at the safety position and the team will likely look to the NFL Draft to fill the opening.  We were less prognosticating as simply seeing the writing on the wall for Weddle. More writing on the wall to follow.