The 2022 NFL Free Agency Market very important for LA Rams

Winds of change for Rams Free Agency

After all, the Rams ‘kicked the can’ last year due to the precipitous drop in the 2021 NFL salary cap, a strategy that they will be reluctant to repeat this year. What that means is that while the LA Rams will free up some salary cap space by renegotiating contracts with quarterback Matthew Stafford and defensive lineman Aaron Donald, the Rams will not have enough funds to go wholesale shopping in free agency, even if they focus exclusively on their own players.

It is probably safe to expect the Rams to bring back their ERFAs of QB John Wolford and ILB Travin Howard on a one-year deal at the league minimum salary. And it is probably no stretch to give the likelihood of re-signing RFAs IOL Coleman Shelton, PK Matt Gay, and ILB Troy Reeder better than a 50/50 probability. But, beyond those inexpensive extensions, the Rams will be forced to make decisions of who to sign, at the expense of their ability to sign other players.

Rams will push for OBJ and Von Miller

Based on recent rhetoric, the LA Rams seem to be prioritizing re-signing wide receiver, Odell Beckham Jr., despite his ACL injury:

And it’s also expected that the LA Rams will make a serious push to re-sign outside linebacker Von Miller. Not only did the Rams trade a premium package to acquire him, but they were impressed with his ability to complement the defense in such a significant fashion.

Signing those two players, plus the inexpensive group of ERFAs and RFAs, will all but exhaust the team’s spending cash for 2022.

In the end, the LA Rams front office will be selecting free agents in either-or condition, not both-and circumstances. While the team has managed to find the funds to build a Super Bowl-winning roster for 2021, it is a far more difficult and expensive endeavor to reassemble a Super Bowl-winning cast for the sequel. There simply won’t be enough money to go around to sign everyone. That’s why the 2022 Rams Free Agency moves are so vital to the team.

The Rams have one shot to hit the bullseye.