NFL analyst hints Rams rumors of parting ways with 2025 standout

The Los Angeles Rams have a full docket right now. The team is in great shape, but improving a very good team into the very best in the NFL will require skill, patience, and a lot of investment. One of the most challenging sets of decision points facing general manager Les Snead is which players to invest another season into, while clearing roster and cap space for upgrades.

Of course, it's not an exact science. And quite often, the team has a fair market value set, but the player or the player's agent wants more. And in those cases, the two sides part ways. But what of players who exceed their expectations? Well, the money matters more, at least if you track the perspective of Fantasy Points Director of Analytics, Chris Wecht.

He asserts that Snead is giving serious consideration to cutting tight end Terrance Ferguson to save cap space.

Of course, Parkinson had a breakout season for Los Angeles. Not only did he have a career-high season for receiving yards, but his eight touchdown receptions dwarfed the five touchdowns scored in his previous five NFL seasons. So, cutting or even trying to shave the salary cap hit of his contract would certainly send mixed messages.

Colby Parkinson's cap hit is modest in 2026

How large is Colby Parkinson's cap hit in 2026? Curiously, his cap hit declines from $9.8 million in 2025 to just uncder $9.1 million in 2026. While he remains among the top 10 salaries on the team in 2026, he is in the last year of a three-year deal. The team has other contracts to explore if finding cap space is truly a priority.

The team has already extended safety Quentin Lake, inside linebacker Nate Landman, and running back Kyren Williams. Two of those three created a larger cap hit for LA this season. And fans can argue that Parkinson's surging contribution in 2025 warrants a bigger payday due to his ever-increasing role and productivity.

Veteran tight end Tyler Higbee's contract expires. That puts more pressure on the LA Rams roster to generate more productivity from the remaining players. Shedding Parkinson is the opposite of what the team is likely to do. After all, Snead's success at landing effective tight ends is up for debate.

Still, Parkinson is a keeper.

Find money? The team can free up to $36 million without releasing a single player. With nearly $50 million in salary cap space projected, that would give Snead over $80 million to play with. That should be plenty of moolah to keep Les Snead busy, even if he opts to go all in this offseason.

As always, thanks for reading.