Rams are on the verge of a training camp crisis that nobody saw coming

The Los Angeles Rams have been frustrated with efforts to upgrade their tight end position. The team tried to trade up to select Utah's Dalton Kincaid in the 2023 NFL Draft without success. The team reloaded and attempted to trade up to select Georgia tight end Brock Bowers in the 2024 NFL Draft. Once again, the team was repelled by NFL teams refusing to accept the offer.

And for the third consecutive NFL Draft, the Rams tried to trade up in the 2025 NFL Draft. Some rumors suggest that WR Tet McMillan was the target, but that is impossible to accept with both Penn State TE Tyler Warren and Michigan TE Colston Loveland on the board. Whoever might have been the Rams' target, the offer was refused. Frustrated, the Rams found an offer that they could not refuse when they were on the clock with the 26th overall pick.

The Rams accepted an offer to trade their 26th and 101st overall picks to the Atlanta Falcons for the 46th, 242nd, and Round 1 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. By accepting that trade, the Rams surrendered their Day 1 draft pick and moved back 20 spots to Round 2. With the 46th overall pick, the Rams selected Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson.

Ferguson getting off on the wrong foot

Had this been any other draft in any other season, the story would end there. But this is an unusual season after an unusual draft. And all of this leads to the unusual reason why the Rams have not signed all of their drafted rookies. You see, rookie TE Terrance Ferguson has yet to sign his contract. Until he does, this is a standoff. Even if Terrance Ferguson wanted to show up and participate in training camp, he could not do so. So, what is the problem? It turns out that it is a matter of guaranteed salary. Two rookies selected in Round 2 have fully guaranteed contracts.

QB Tyler Shough wants a fully guaranteed contract as the presumed starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints. Shough was selected 40th overall. The problem with the Rams and Terrance Ferguson is where to draw the line for his guaranteed salary. Too high, and the Rams have set a precedent for all 32 NFL teams going forward. Too low, and Terrance Ferguson leaves money on the table for many Round 2 rookies going forward.

Okay, so the issue is complex and carries huge ramifications. But ponder this: Had the Rams selected a tight end in Rounds 1 or 3 through 7, this would not be a discussion we would be having. The Rams selected Ferguson in Round 2, and that negates any chances that he has of participating in training camp until the matter is resolved.

Would DT Braden Fiske have been as effective in 2024 had he missed out starting in training camp? Would IOL Steve Avila have been able to secure and keep his starting role at left guard in 2023 if he were unable to participate in training camp? Unfortunately, I fear that the Rams hold a very high bar for rookie tight ends who hope to get snaps and targets in their first NFL season.

The Rams still have plenty of firepower in the tight end room, and if Ferguson is not ready to go, the team will likely lean more heavily into Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, and Davis Allen. But it does seem ironic that the Rams finally landed their rookie tight end of the future, only to risk losing precious training camp time to a contract hiccup.

Anything can happen. But the key to Ferguson stepping onto the football field this season lies in his ability to perform so well in training camp that coaches cannot find reasons to bench him. That scenario will never happen if he is not participating in training camp.

The Rams are on the verge of a training camp crisis that nobody saw coming. Had the Rams foreseen the problems with signing Round 2 rookies, the team may never have accepted the Atlanta Falcons' offer to trade back. Now, the Rams must make do with who shows up at training camp. Unfortunately, the chances of rookie TE Terrance Ferguson competing in training camp are falling fast.

As always, thanks for reading.

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