Rams all in strategy in 2026 may be creating cash chaos for extensions in 2027

There is no question that the Los Angeles Rams have gone all in for 2026. And with the first wave of free agency in the rearview mirror, the team has certainly addressed the weaknesses that were apparent from falling short in 2025. Still, the 2026 season will be the jury as to whether it has been enough.

And then there is 2027.

23 Rams players are facing expiring contracts in 2027. That is more than 37 percent of the current roster. How bad might it get? Four of the five starting offensive linemen are in the last year of their current contracts. And that's just one position group.

Multiple key contributors from the amazing rookie class of 2023 are up for extensions. Of the group that includes punter Ethan Evans, quarterback Stetson Bennett, right tackle Warren McClendon, left guard Steve Avila, wide receiver Puka Nacue, edge rusher Byron Young, defensive end Desjuan Johnson, and defensive lineman Kobie Turner, who will general manager Les Snead pass up?

If you believe that all will return, you'd better sit down. Even as Los Angeles projects to have over $96 million of available salary cap to spend, it may not be enough. The team will draft seven rookies, sign undrafted rookies, and potentially add additional veteran free agents. All of those actions will shrink that number rather quickly.

The 13th overall selection will claim nearly $6 million of the 2027 salary cap.

Just how far can Les Snead stretch Rams cap dollars in 2027?

Of the current $96 million of cap space in 2027, let's earmark $16 million to cover the second year of rookies added in 2026. That pulls the disposable cash down to $80 million. Now, let's pivot to who the team will want to extend in 2027:

Offensive line (6) - Spending up to $40 million in 2027

• Left guard Steve Avila
• Center Coleman Shelton
• Right guard Kevin Dotson
• Right tackle Warren McClendon
• Interior offensive lineman Justin Dedich
• Right tackle David Quessenberry

Los Angeles may be seen as a team that doesn't need to invest in offensive linemen in the 2026 NFL draft, until you size up 2027's impact. If the team is looking to bring back veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford for 2027, then this team will need to draft replacements now or find ways to pay everyone in a year.

Watch for Warren McClendon. In whatever manner the team resolves his expiring contract, that will be the indicator of what lies ahead. Even as all linemen above deserve extensions, can Les Snead afford to do so? Just look ahead to see how quickly money evaporates:

Offensive skill players (7) - Spending up to $40 million in 2027

• Quarterback Matthew Stafford
• Quarterback Stetson Bennett
• Wide receiver Puka Nacua
• Wide receiver Davante Adams
• Wide receiver Xavier Smith
• Tight end Colby Parkinson
• Tight end Davis Allen

It's not pessimistic to view the combination of extending Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua as costing the team up to $40 million on their own. If the team wants to go beyond the pair, money can be spent rapidly. While fans scoff at the idea of extending other players (like Stetson Bennett), this offense has no quarterbacks under contract for 2027.

Hmm...

Defensive front (5) - Spending up to $30 million

• Edge Byron Young
• Edge Keir Thomas
• Defensive lineman Kobie Turner
• Defensive end Desjuan Johnson
• Inside linebacker Omar Speights

There is a reason Los Angeles had one of the least expensive defenses in recent years. Since 2023, the team has ridden the contributions of NFL stars playing on cheap rookie contracts. Edge rusher Byron Young could cost $30 million APY alone. If LA does not extend Young and Turner, they will need replacements on the roster in 2026.

Defensive secondary and special teams (5) - Spending up to $15 million

• Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes
• Cornerback Josh Wallace
• Safety Jaylen McCollough
• Kicker Harrison Mevis
• Punter Ethan Evans

Of this group, the special teamers appear to be the most vital. But if any secondary contributor plays well in 2026, should they be extended as well? An NFL secondary gets better over time.

Many fans don't care about 2027. Some do. And wise fans recognize the impact 2027's salary cap constraints have on guiding Snead's in the 2026 NFL draft.

As you can see, money is not an infinite resource. Salary cap dollars may increase in 2027, but so will the price of extending players. Does this change your perception of The Horns' draft needs? If it doesn't, look again. In many cases, rookies will play for a fraction of the cost of an NFL veteran. If Los Angeles hopes to be competitive in 2027, Snead will need to draft remarkably well once more.

As always, thanks for reading.