9 players who likely played their last games and won't be back with Rams in 2026

The Los Angeles Rams are pivoting from 2025 to 2026. Even before the team makes it to the start of the 2026 NFL season, changes are already taking place. Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur will become the new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. Fans are already bracing for changes likely to take place in the offense.

Even as the search for a new offensive coordinator gets underway, LA has made a huge hire with new special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone and his assistant Kyle Roke. It's not the hire some fans had hoped for, but no team lets the best-performing coaches walk.

Not only does Ventrone have excellent insight into collegiate talent, but he has an admirable reputation as a coach who instantly connects with players. The thing is, that presumes significant investment into rookies on special teams.

That feels like a safe bet.

The team has sat on the fence between today and tomorrow in terms of the roster. Like it or not, unless the team goes All-In once more, many of the familiar faces on the Rams roster simply have no definable roles in 2026. Who may be outbound. Don't be shocked if nine players are not back next season.

9 Rams who played their last games and won't be back in 2026

Who won't be back? Just to be clear, none of the players on this list are busts or done with professional football. It's a numbers game. The team must shift dollars from offense to defense to retain key contributors. And players on this list are likely worth more to other NFL teams than on the LA Rams roster. They are:

9. Running back Ronnie Rivers

Ronnie Rivers was a great insurance policy in the running back room. Still, with the emergence of Kyren Williams pairing up with Blake Corum, and Jarquez Hunter waiting in the wings as a cheap alternative, Rivers becomes expendable.

New Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur would love to add Rivers to that roster.

8. Tight end Tyler Higbee

Tyler Higbee struggled to stay healthy in the past two seasons. Of 34 possible games, he played just 13 games over that time frame. Yikes. The team is diplomatically leaving the decision whether to return for 2026 up to the player. But make no mistake, he cannot be considered the starter in 2026. His injuries simply make him too unreliable.

7. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo

Wait, what? This is a serious assertion. The uncertainty of Matthew Stafford's future has to change the way this team views the current quarterback room. There is no more time to keep things status quo. The team needs to invest in the future at this position. Unless Stafford retires and the team needs one season out of Jimmy Garoppolo, salary cap dollars are better invested in the future quarterback.

6. Punt returner Xavier Smith

He muffed a punt return in the NFC Championship Game that contributed to a heartbreaking loss. Worse still, LA has a new special teams coordinator. Stick a fork in Xavier Smith, he's done.

5. Inside linebacker Troy Reeder

The coaching staff loved Reeder's experience and special teams contributions. But the team has invested in veteran inside linebacker Nate Landman, and has fallen in love with undrafted rookie Shaun Dolac's special team performance. The team has to spread limited dollars across multiple players.

Reeder won't want to play for the bare minimum. LA can't afford to re-sign Reeder for anything more.

4. Cornerback Derion Kendrick

This one is obvious. LA cut Kendrick to get to the 53-man roster limit. He was re-signed when the secondary was depleted. The team seldom played him, and was disappointed when he did compete in Horns.

3. Right tackle Rob Havenstein

All good things must come to an end. Veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein is too proud to accept a backup role on the team, and too injury-prone to expect a starting role. While he could be a valuable asset as a veteran willing to mentor younger players, the team cannot afford to pay another player top dollar to sit on the bench.

Havenstein's emotions tell the tale.

Again, this is not about a guy who has no value. It's simply the numbers game. The reality is that the team found a starting-caliber right tackle in Warren McClendon Jr., and if he is to master the position, he needs to get the reins.

2. Interior offensive lineman Beaux Limmer

Beaux Limmer was the 2024 rookie whose 2025 meltdown over losing the starting job to veteran center Coleman Shelton sealed his fate. He was drafted on Day 3 in the 2024 NFL draft, so he is an inexpensive option to retain on the roster. But he showed nothing this season. If he comes back for a third season, he will need to show significant improvement in attitude and performance.

1. Wide receiver Tutu Atwell

Nobody blames speedy wide receiver Tutu Atwell for not putting forth effort. It's just that the team reworked the offense. Atwell found himself no longer a fit in the new offensive design. Worse still, the team paid him $10 million to warm the bench.

Atwell could be a significant contributor on offense. But after four seasons in the Horns, it's clear he will never significantly contribute to Los Angeles' offense.

There will be much more to discuss about the future of the LA Rams roster. But don't be shocked that these nine familiar faces will not return for 2026.

As always, thanks for reading.