IV - Re-signed free agents
One of the areas that the teams seems to struggle with early in each of the past two seasons is continuity. That has been particularly true on the defensive side of the football. But the cure to that ailment is continuity. The easiest way to ensure continuity is to extend players. So, who is coming back? You might be surprised.
(4a) - ERFA
C Dylan McMahon | 1-year Qualifying Tender Offer worth $960,000
The trade of veteran IOL Jonah Jackson necessitated the team retaining second-year center Dylan McMahon. McMahon was outstanding in preseason work for the Philadelphia Eagles. When he was released (with the intent to sign him to the practice squad), the Rams pounced and added him to the injury-depleted roster.
We have tendered exclusive rights free agent Dylan McMahon. ‡οΈ
β Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 3, 2025
While some may view McMahon as a camp body, his presence is far more valuable to the team than that. WIth McMahon, Justin Dedich, AJ Arcuri, Warren McClendon Jr., and KT Leveston, the team enters the 2025 NFL Free agency market with a starting and backup offensive line units. McMahon is young, but he has flashed very promising potential for the future.
(4b) - RFA
The Rams have not tendered qualifying offers to either RB Ronnie Rivers or ILB Jake Hummel yet.
(4c) - UFA
The Rams have a number of unrestricted free agents who make sense to re-sign. While the budget does not allow for the team to bring everyone back, the team has some key contributors who still add value to the team if they return for 2025. Still, there is a balancing act needed. The team needs continuity and veteran leadership. But the team must avoid stagnation, rigidity, and an inability to add new talent with new capabilities.
So far, the Rams have been rather active at pursuing their own players. They have reached agreement with:
(1) - Rams renegotiate Matthew Stafford contract
The team and veteran QB Matthew Stafford ended the 2024 NFL season with a bit of distance separating the two sides over compensation for 2025 and 2026. But after some trying times, the two sides reached an agreement to stay together for 2025. With Stafford returning to the flock, the rest of the QB-needy teams had to scramble on other solutions. There does not seem to be much confidence among NFL teams as to the quality and quantity of NFL-ready quarterbacks in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.
(2) - Rams extend OT Alaric Jackson | 3-years $56.3 million
I view the Rams extension of starting left tackle Alaric Jackson as the only 'must do,' in the 2025 offseason. Not only did the Rams bring back Jackson, but the team did so with an incredible team-friendly contract that showcases how far the Rams have come in terms of crafting contracts.
(3) - Rams extend WR Tutu Atwell | 1-year $10 million
When the Rams extended Tutu Atwell, I was fine with the move. I was quite pleased. With the terms of the extension set for one-year and $10 million, the Rams seemed to be making a clear statement that the coaching staff planned to make far more use of Atwell in this offense.
Then, the Rams signed WR Davante Adams to a two-year contract worth $46 million, and it seems like Deja Vu all over again. If the team has the option to send WRs Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Jordan Whittington, and TE Tyler Higbee onto the football field, I can see Atwell getting lost in the shuffle one more time.
(4) - Rams extend QB Jimmy Garoppolo | 1-year worth $4.5 million, incentived up to $11 million
Rams re-signing QB Jimmy Garoppolo to 1-year deal. (via @mikegarafolo) pic.twitter.com/KIgk1rrfxC
β NFL (@NFL) March 10, 2025
(5) - DT Larrell Murchison | 1-year deal terms undisclosed.
We have agreed to terms with DT Larrell Murchison on a 1-year deal. ‡οΈ
β Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 15, 2025
(6) - RB Ronnie Rivers | 1-year deal with undisclosed terms
We have agreed to terms with RB Ronnie Rivers. ‡οΈ
β Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 16, 2025
(7) - CB Ahkello Witherspoon | 1-year deal with undisclosed terms
Ahkello Witherspoon is coming back to the Rams on a 1-year deal, per @JFowlerESPN pic.twitter.com/PuzEEXY1La
β B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) March 19, 2025
V - Rams free agents who signed with new teams
The projected Rams free agents will not have an opportunity to sign elsewhere until 9:00 am PT on March 10, 2025. Even then, players can only agree to terms with new teams. The signing only become official after the 2025 NFL season officially begins.
Don't look for a rapid rate of Rams free agents to sign with other teams. The Rams projected free agents are likely to sign in the second or third waves of free agent signings.
(1) NT Bobby Brown III to sign with Carolina Panthers | Details unavailable
The #Panthers aren't done, adding #Rams free agent DT Bobby Brown III to their defensive line, sources say.
β Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2025
(2) TE Hunter Long | 2-year contract for $5 million with Jacksonville Jaguars
New #Jaguars TE Hunter Longβs deal: Two years, $5 million with a $6 million max value. GM James Gladstone taps into a familiar face from his time with the #Rams. pic.twitter.com/CB2MyADhx6
β Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 10, 2025
(3) DT/OLB Michael Hoecht | 3-year deal worth up to $24 million with Buffalo Bills
Per NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, free agent DT/OLB Michael Hoecht as agreed to terms with the Buffalo Bills on a three-year contract worth up to $24 million.
(4) WR Demarcus Robinson | 2- year deal with San Francisco 49ers worth up to $9.5 million
WR Demarcus Robinson agrees to two-year deal with 49ers worth $9.5M with $6M fully guaranteed. (via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/Ae4tLqfJrK
β NFL (@NFL) March 12, 2025
(5) ILB Christian Rozeboom | 1- year deal with Carolina Panthers
The #Panthers are signing #Rams FA LB Christian Rozeboom to a 1-year deal, source said. He started 11 games last year with a career-high 135 tackles.
β Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2025
(6) - ILB/ST Jake Hummel | 1-year deal with Baltimore Ravens
Rams LB and special teams ace Jake Hummel heads to the Ravens on a 1-year deal, per source.
β Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 12, 2025
(7) NT Neville Gallimore | 1-year deal with Indianapolis Colts
Source: Free-agent DT Neville Gallimore reached agreement tonight on a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts. pic.twitter.com/QqsyVV46gU
β Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2025
(8) - Released WR Cooper Kupp | 3-year $45 million deal with Seattle Seahawks
Former Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp reached agreement with the Seahawks, per source. pic.twitter.com/FewoWB7SKF
β Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2025
(9) - Released CB Tre Tomlinson | San Francisco 49ers claimed his 2-year deal worth $4 million
49ers claimed CB Tre Tomlinson off waivers from the Los Angeles Rams.
β Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2025
(10) WR Tyler Johnson | New York Jets - terms of deal undisclosed
BREAKING: The New York Jets have signed underrated WR Tyler Johnson, formerly of the Rams & Bucsβ¦ believe it or not, heβd be the Jets WR2 right now behind Garrett Wilson pic.twitter.com/QYbrUgEwMc
β John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) March 15, 2025