4 Rams standouts who haven't yet earned an extension

We've been rattling the cage over the Los Angeles Rams' need to extend key veterans. And the reason is simple: they have invested a great deal in this team, so losing nearly half the active roster in the offseason would be significant. Of course, a rebuild may be in the works if quarterback Matthew Stafford retires.

But what of the defense?

Most of the team's young core of contributors arrived in the 2023 draft. Now, those same better-than-expected players will set their sights on a massive payday as their rookie contracts expire at season's end. Will general manager Les Snead ink their next NFL contracts?

That's up for debate. Some players are putting up the best performance of their careers. Others have seen better days. But all seek significant pay raises, and the Rams may not have enough funds to pay everyone. Surveying the list of pending free agents, here are three who have yet to earn their next contract in Los Angeles.

3 Rams defenders who haven't earned an extension yet

Safety Jaylen McCollough

Despite falling into the restricted free agent category, McCollough may not be back in LA next season. As an undrafted rookie in 2024, he exploded onto the scene with 43 tackles, four interceptions, including a pick-six, and allowed a completion rate of only 64.1 percent completion rate.

His workload has shrunk significantly since then. McCollough is still a valuable defensive back, but he has fallen behind Quentin Lake, Kam Curl, and Kam Kinchens. If Snead wishes to preserve the right of first refusal, he will need to shell out at least $3.6 million to retain McCollough on a one-year deal.

McCollough's part in this defense has shrunk to a cameo role. He continues to play well. But the Rams may view nearly $4 million spent elsewhere as the wiser option.

Edge rusher Byron Young

Fans might assume the team sacks leader will be back on an extension. But Young has not sustained his torrid pace from 2025 and early 2026, and that opens the door to speculation. Add his advanced age - nearly 29 years old but playing in the last year of his current contract - and the image starts to form.

Don't misunderstand. LA landed a true pass-rush champion in Round 3 of the 2023 draft. Young averaged nine sacks per year in his first three seasons, and he has 4.5 already in '26 with half a season to play. But edge rushers command a lofty price tag. Right now, estimates for Young's next contract rise to over $30 million APY. That's a lot of cheddar cheese to plop on one player.

Linebacker Omar Speights

Speights is playing lights-out this season. He's a true thumper, and a rugged enforcer. In eight games, he has recorded 37 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, and two passes defended, while allowing just a 66.7 percent completion rate.

Like McCollough, Speights signed with the Rams as an undrafted rookie in 2024. He will also be a restricted free agent. While LA may deem him worthy of a qualifying tender, Speights still faces the roster crunch.

The team has already extended Nate Landman at the inside linebacker position. Shaun Dolac is an up-and-coming standout. Will Snead see value in investing millions in Speights when he might have only a rotational role? With limited funds, perhaps not.

And 1 on Special teams

Punter Ethan Evans

You may view listing Evans in this list of 'standouts' as sacrilegious, but his talent is undeniable. Since arriving in Los Angeles in 2023, Evans has frequently ranked among the NFL's best in gross punting yards. But his line drives are tough to cover, helping to land Rams special teams at the bottom in net punting.

Here's an illustration:

Rams' Gross Punt vs Net Punt Rank with Evans

2023 | 8th | 30th

2024 | 27th | 25th

2025 | 23rd | 27th

2026 |6th | 22nd

While Evans can boot the cover off the ball, he has never gotten the team into the top two-thirds in net punting. That's pretty horrific and is one of the reasons that has left the Rams spinning their wheels on special teams.

Since drafting Evans in 2023, LA has hired four special teams coordinators. In each new hire, one of the goals has been to translate Evans' raw power into a positive contribution. And in each case, the coach has failed.

The Rams have a lot of football left to play, but they will face many difficult decisions at season's end as well.

As always, thanks for reading.

Add us as a preferred source on Google