LA Rams clear $3 million cap space as NFL Trade Deadline approaches

Well, we certainly have not been discussing the LA Rams salary cap situation for some time, have we? That is particularly curious, as the team had used the early part of any NFL season to extend critical players before they can dangle their toes to see how warm or cool the pool is in the NFL Free Agent market.

For example, the Rams extended Jalen Ramsey, Cooper Kupp, and Robert Woods this time a year ago.

So far, since the 2021 NFL season has officially started with the home opener against the Chicago Bears, the LA Rams had restructured just one contract. That restructure freed up salary cap space to the tune of just over $2 million and has come to pass thanks to tight end, Tyler Higbee.

The Rams have converted $2.475M of TE Tyler Higbee's base salary into a signing bonus, creating $1.65M in cap space. They now have just over $2 million in cap space.
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) September 9, 2021

That move came after the Rams had traded for New England Patriots running back Sony Michel, and allowed them the cap space to have options to sign additional players as the season has worn on.

Now the Rams have gone to the restructuring-well once more. This time, the move reportedly frees up just over $3 million in salary-cap space. On this occasion, the Rams tapped the contract of offensive right tackle Rob Havenstein.

After having only $151,989 in cap room, the #Rams restructured OT Rob Havenstein's contract to create $3.072M in more room, source said.
Tight against the cap and all in, they have now moved $48.222M this year.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 23, 2021

So how are the Rams manufacturing cap space? Per Spotrac.com, The Rams have converted $3.84 million into a restructure bonus and then created voidable contract years in 2023-25. All of that is in fact just a fancy way of saying that the Rams are kicking the can down the road once more.

While this is likely just standard procedure to allow the Rams some flexibility to sign additional players if necessary, the timing is somewhat curious, as the NFL Trade Deadline of November 2nd is rapidly approaching. The timing could suggest that the Rams plan to be active at the trade deadline.

Of course, $3 million is not exactly freeing up blockbuster trade amounts of money. But the Rams could make one or two more restructures. And with the trade deadline looming, anything is possible. The Rams will welcome back DB Darious Williams and OLB Justin Hollins in a few weeks. So the team could be looking for some help on offense.

Perhaps a running back or a second tight end? It’s certainly worth monitoring.

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