It's not even training camp, but Rams rival already faces buyer's remorse

The Los Angeles Rams turned the page after the 2024 NFL season when it came to the wide receiver room. Even as the team surprisingly extended WR Tutu Atwell on a one-year contract worth $10 million, the team willingly parted ways with veteran wide receivers Cooper Kupp, Tyler Johnson, and Demarcus Robinson. In the process, the team was shedding most of the team's 2024 receiving touchdowns.

The team met the roster needs by adding elite veteran wide receiver Davante Adams as the newest target for veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. And the Rams were already set up with elite wide receiver Puka Nacua and an impressive but lightly used rookie wide receiver Jordan Whittington. So the team is pivoting to a new season with optimistic expectations for the passing game.

But, what of the receivers who used to play for the Rams? WR Tyler Johnson signed with the New York Jets, his fourth NFL team in six seasons. WR Cooper Kupp returned to his home state of Washington and has become a bit of a hometown hero by signing with the Rams' NFC West Division rivals, the Seattle Seahawks.

And then there is the matter of WR Demarcus Robinson, who wanted to return to the Rams roster, but who had allegedly made a terrible decision and was arrested on suspicion of DUI. At the time of the ordeal, Robinson had to explain to his coaches and teammates the details and his regret, which was enough to avoid any disciplinary actions by the team.

Since then, the Rams have not re-signed Robinson. Instead, he also signed with the Rams NFC West Division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers. He becomes the second wide receiver to choose a Rams rival, which is certainly not an ideal scenario for the Rams in 2025.

But misfortune and bad luck can run two ways. After all, the Rams prefer high-character players for good reason, as they will be tested constantly off the football field. And as it so happens, there is more to the chapter of Demarcus Robinson's 2024 season arrest. You see, Robinson pled no contest to his DUI arrest, setting the stage for civil penalties.

But it also sets the stage for disciplinary action from the NFL as well. Currently, many NFL analysts estimate that he could face a two-game suspension for his involvement in the incident. Curiously, even if Robinson is suspended for two games, he is not the only former Rams player to face suspension in the 2025 NFL season.

Former Rams OLB Michael Hoecht will serve a six-game suspension to start the 2025 NFL season due to a PED violation. The Rams did not extend Hoecht, who has since signed with the Buffalo Bills.

Suspensions for players who are trying to learn a new team's playbook, coaches, and roster can quickly become complicated by being benched to start a season. It forces the team to do without the player, which can narrow the on-ramp for the suspended player to get on the field and make plays. I won't cheer against Demarcus Robinson, but I won't cheer for the 49ers either.

As always, thanks for reading.

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