LA Rams free agency shopping list a simple restructure away

Same Salary Cap scenario

We’ve discussed the Rams salary cap situation far too often, I’m certain. But the math of the matter is the only true hurdle to the Rams achieving their off-season goals of retaining their veteran free agents.

The disappointing fact is that the Rams can get it all done oh so very simply with one restructure. The LA Rams have committed long-term to QB Jared Goff when the team signed the September 2019 $134 million contract extension, preloaded with $57 million in guaranteed money. That contract includes a $21 million roster bonus on top of his $10 million salary earnings this year.

Here’s the simplicity. With no impact on the number of dollars paid to Goff this year, the Rams can reclassify both the salary and roster bonus into a signing bonus. That converts the $31 million salary-cap hit this year into 1/5th of that amount, or just $6,200,000, freeing up $24,800,000 of the 2020 salary cap number.