Not tendering ILB Troy Reeder is the right choice for LA Rams

The responsibility of the LA Rams whenever a decision is to be made regarding making a Qualifying Tender Offer for a restricted free agent is simple: Does the player warrant that amount of money in a one-year contract. If yes? Then you make the offer, as the Rams did a year ago for defensive back Darious Williams. If not, then you simply do not.

The latter option is the one the Rams have chosen regarding RFA ILB Troy Reeder. Despite the fact that Reeder has played 49 games for the Rams and started 25 of those games, his performance has left some things to be desired. Yes, he made two interceptions. Yes, he made 91 tackles. But he was not the snarling enforcer type of inside linebacker that the LA Rams needed in the middle of the defense.

As such, he is not worth the minimum $2.433 million that it would cost the LA Rams to make a Right-of-First-Refusal Qualifying Tender Offer to the young man.  That’s a pretty hefty amount for the Rams salary cap situation right now, more than they can afford to spend amidst hopes for re-signing key contributors.

Rams Free Agency options

That is not to say that Reeder is not coming back. The Rams typically do not invest much in inside linebackers. Former ILB Cory Littleton signed on with the Las Vegas Raiders after a Pro Bowl season in 2019, because the Rams do not spend much at the position. A likely scenario is that the Rams would like to get Reeder back at the $1-1.5 million / one-year range. But before he signs a deal like that, he and his agent will likely try to work out a better deal elsewhere.

In the meantime, I would expect the Rams to extend a minimally Qualifying Offer to his teammate, Travin Howard, which should come in on or about $1 million.

Right now, the LA Rams have Ernest Jones and Christian Rozeboom on the roster. The team has signed both Anthony Hines III and Antoine Brooks Jr. (2021 special teams coverage)to reserve future contracts. And the team will likely extend ERFA Travin Howard. There is still room for Reeder to sign with the Rams as long as the numbers work for both sides.

Some interpret this move as the Rams closing in on signing free agent veteran inside linebacker Bobby Wagner. I don’t think that the two moves are related.  But the Rams front office may not have the chance to re-sign Reeder at a lower price. Both the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos are in the market for an affordable veteran inside linebacker, and Reeder does have current playoff and Super Bowl experience.

The LA Rams are making the right choice here.