Rams are starting down another unavoidable transformation that may floor fans

Imagine the chaos that awaits the Los Angeles Rams at the end of the 2026 NFL season. Oh, didn't you know? Los Angeles is currently on track to part ways with 25 players, many of whom are not just contributors but are starters. And of those, many are standouts among their peers in the NFL.

That's more than a bit uncomfortable. That works out to 29 percent of the current 86-player Rams roster, and no matter how you slice it, it will get expensive when extensions get underway. So, how bad does it look?

Without some successful contract negotiations instantly, this team is bound to part ways with eight starters on offense, three starters on defense, two starters on special teams, and a host of rotational contributors and vital depth players.

This was not an inconvenient accident. With the expiration of so many contracts, general manager Les Snead purposely created a pit stop for nearly the entire team. With the sun setting on quarterback Matthew Stafford in the near future, Snead needed an off-ramp to assess the team for another go at a Super Bowl push.

Since Stafford appears to be willing to compete through 2027, the team is likely to stick with its veterans for at least one more year. Well, as long as the team can negotiate getting Stafford back for 2026, that is.

Los Angeles is staring down another unavoidable transofrmation

Of the 26 starters who get the lion's share of the weekly snaps on the team, LA is facing the loss of more than half. Let that sink in. And yet, some fans who understood that the quarterback room would be completely vacated in 2027 still protested the selection of rookie quarterback Ty Simpson.

This team cannot afford to extend everyone.

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

Offensive skill players (8) - Spending up to $42 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
• Running back Ronnie Rivers

Defensive front (6) - Spending up to $30 million

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

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 *

* denotes priority extensions

If you've tracked the LA Rams past two drafts, you can match selected players to potential outbound veterans. That is not only true for the 2026 draft class, but for the 2025 draft class as well. Amidst all of the other complications this team must sort through in training camp, one sub-plot is the sudden assessment of whether younger players are on track to take over in 2027.

There are many stories fueling fans' interest right now. Some storylines are worth following, others are not. But one that will grow increasingly important over time is the transition at season's end. While fans may be frustrated with the lack of young player participation in games, be patient. The team will be forced to test them this season.

If not, the results could be disastrous. As always, thanks for reading.

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