Les Snead couldn't say no to unexpected opportunity in Rams free agency

After pulling off a blockbuster for cornerback Trent McDuffie, Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead did not anticipate making any more moves before Monday, the official start of the new league year. Those plans changed when free agents Kam Curl and Tyler Higbee made clear their willingness to return on team-friendly deals. 

Curl agreed to a three-year, $36 million contract that includes $24 million guaranteed and an additional $3 million in incentives. Higbee came back for two years and $8 million, extending his Rams tenure for an 11th season. Those are fine contracts for veteran contributors the team would love to keep around.

"Kam Curl and Tyler Higbee already signing back is an indication of how much those guys wanted to stay here"

Nate Atkins re Rams recent extensions

Atkins also cited the McDuffie trade as a motivating factor. Certainly, that move confirmed LA's commitment to contending for a Super Bowl again next season. 

That was evidently an appealing prospect for Curl and Higbee. And for Snead, the prospect of having them back on a possible discount was evidently too much to pass up. 

Rams reunion was of keen interest for both sides

Even at 33, Higbee was productive when healthy last season, and despite a bursting tight end room, he remains a trusted target of quarterback Matthew Stafford. He returns to LA, pursuing his second Rams Super Bowl. Curl, meanwhile, is chasing his first after arriving two seasons ago from Washington. 

Not all fans love the notion of spending cap space on an aging, oft-injured Higbee, but the Curl signing is a win-now bargain. Is it a slight overpay, given his $10 million projected annual value? Maybe, but Curl is still just 26.

If the need arises, the Rams will likely be able to save themselves a chunk of non-guaranteed money by releasing him in year three. 

Right now, that couldn't be farther from fans' minds. As long as Stafford is the quarterback and playing anything near his 2025 MVP self, this team is a Super Bowl contender.

Bringing back Curl preserves an outstanding safety group that also features Quentin Lake and Kam Kinchens. Whatever last year's problems in the secondary were, they arose largely at cornerback. 

While Curl led all safeties in snap count, it wouldn't be fair to slap him with the old "availability is his best ability" label. He was Pro Football Focus' 16th-ranked safety among 98 graded players at the position.

A capable blitzer, he was easily above-average in coverage and an absolute run stuffer. His 84.7 run defense grade ranked sixth, and Curl's 32 stops came in fifth. He trailed only the Bengals' Jordan Battle with 122 total tackles. 

A reunion between Curl and the Rams feels like a clear-cut win-win. Higbee also makes sense, given his connection with Stafford and how much Sean McVay adores his tight ends.

Until Los Angeles knows whether 2025 second-rounder Terrance Ferguson will truly emerge, it's hard to argue with securing depth. Whatever grumblings some may have given his age and injuries, Higbee's $4 million annual salary comes in below his projected $5.3 million market value. 

In both cases, the chance to lock up a pair of core contributors before other teams could make an offer was enough for Snead to scrap his plans and get a deal done.