Don’t expect the LA Rams to cut a check for FA Rodger Saffold

Perhaps one of the most difficult tasks this time of year for the LA Rams organization is not creating a fool-proof plan that will allow the team to Run It Back. Rather, the task is to create a plan that the organization can adhere to as other teams waive, cut, or otherwise part ways with players who are perceived as sure-fire fits on the Rams team.

Why is that a problem? The LA Rams are so efficient at cutting it close on compensating players that they have no rainy-day discretionary funds available to toss at players who are unexpected salary-cap casualties from their respective teams. Right now, there are quite a few intriguing veterans who find themselves as salary cap casualties. One such player is very familiar to the LA Rams.

The Tennessee Titans have informed Pro Bowl right guard Rodger Saffold that they are releasing him.

Saffold last played for the LA Rams in 2018 when the team competed in Super Bowl LIII. At the time, he was wooed away by a Titans offer of a rather substantial contract to play for them. The LA Rams, who historically do not spend piles of cash for interior offensive linemen, did not raise their bid and the Rams had to play without Saffold for the past three seasons.

Rams Free Agency plans don’t include Saffold

I’d say that the LA Rams have done rather well in Saffold’s absence. Since he’d parted ways with the team, the LA Rams have gone 31-18 in the regular season, plus have gone 5-1 in the playoffs. For the cherry on top, the Rams have won their first Los Angeles-based Super Bowl.

Rodger Saffold is still a strong competitor. In reality, he is likely the type of offensive lineman who could play winning football for the LA Rams over the next four seasons. But this Rams organization simply does not cut massive checks for offensive linemen, particularly those who line up between the offensive tackles.

Saffold would be a nice fit to the LA Rams roster with the team projecting losses of IOL Austin Corbett, IOL Brian Allen, IOL Coleman Shelton, OT Joseph Noteboom, and the retirement of Andrew Whitworth. While the team can and should make offers to re-sign Coleman Shelton and Joseph Noteboom, I fear that some teams will bid for Noteboom. That will likely drive his price out of the Rams budget.

Unless Saffold is willing to return to the LA Rams for a deeply discounted contract, I cannot see the Rams sparing the funds to sign him. The Rams have not been very active in the NFL Free Agency market in the past, and have won a Super Bowl. I would not expect the team to change their route back this year.