Byron Young reminds Rams he's playing for an extension with a dominant Week 2

The Los Angeles Rams had no clue how to pressure 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. Well, the pass rush figured it out in Week 2 against the Giants. The Rams' two sacks did not come close to representing the high-octane pressure they visited on Jameis Winston all night long.

The defensive onslaught began early and persisted throughout the night. Edge rusher Byron Young started it off. But this was not the Byron Young show alone. Undrafted rookie Wesley Bailey was the first pass rusher to record a sack. Braden Fiske came ever so close, nearly sacking Winston in the end zone for a safety. Fiske only grew stronger as the game wore on.

It was exactly what the defense needed to do, and exactly what fans needed to see. This group was never in the game against the 49ers. But it dictated the terms of Week 2. Chris Shula's crew held the Giants in check until LA's sputtering offense finally began lighting up the scoreboard.

Byron Young will be a top Rams extension candidate if he keeps it up

Young is one of 27 Rams veterans in the final year of their current contracts, including 10 defenders. With so many deals due to expire, general manager Les Snead will be limited to extending the best of the best. Young is forcing himself into that category.

He is more than a rising star in the defensive ranks. He has a rare combination of speed, agility, and power. His career has been one of steady growth and development. Once viewed as an over-aged but inexperienced prospect, Young has proven that he has every right to be discussed among the NFL's best pass rushers.

The Rams are glad to have him pick up the slack in Myles Garrett's absence. More than that, they need him to.

The team has plenty of incentive to hold onto him. Young is not an intriguing free agent. He is not a speculative acquisition. He is a homegrown pass-rush perfectionist who combined forces with teammate Kobie Turner to forge the foundation of a new Rams defense. Aaron Donald himself gave Young his seal of approval in 2023.

Whatever will be, will be, but the future will shine far more brightly if Young is with the team. The Rams won't hand out extensions until the season is over, but Young has certainly planted himself on the radar.

As always, thanks for reading.

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