Rams free agent pushing hard for extension, but he's the last one fans think of

The 11-3 Los Angeles Rams entering Week 16 is not the same team that began the 2025 NFL season. Likely, few NFL teams that reach this point of their respective schedules can lay claim to being the same teams that began this year's journey. And so it falls on the players who evolve, who become leaders of the offense and defense, to step up in big games.

Right now, one of the key offensive players who needs to step up for this offense against the 11-3 Seattle Seahawks is a former Seahawk, tight end Colby Parkinson. Ending the second season of his three-year contract, this free agent tight end has certainly shown up for the team this season.

In the past six games, he has tied teammate wide receiver Davante Adams for the most touchdown receptions with six. His six touchdowns have also tied the all-time franchise tight end record for touchdown receptions in a single season. And he has done it all against some of the stingiest defenses in the NFL.

The emergence of Parkinson has two profound benefits. It's a huge boost to an offense that has been searching for a natural successor to veteran tight end Tyler Higbee. But even better, his emergence allows the team to show patience with rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson, whose six-of-17 for 144 yards and one touchdown has been deeply disappointing this season.

In essence, Parkinson has emerged as the player Ferguson hoped to become.

Colby Parkinson is finally living up to his contract, and then some

When Los Angeles signed Parkinson to a higher-than-expected three-year contract, the team invested both salary cap dollars and trust into him. And as training camp arrived, many viewed Ferguson as the heir apparent to the starting tight end role. But that has not panned out this season.

What has panned out is the release of Parkinson's natural tight end talents. Even platooned, Parkinson has been an undeniable scoring machine for LA. What does that mean? Thanks to a robust tight end rotation, Parkinson has played just over 47 percent of the snaps

He hauled in both passes for 14 yards and a touchdown against the Seahawks in the first game.

He is under contract though 2026. But even now, it's hard to imagine the front office not planning to extend him.

So, what is the difference? Offense coordinator Mike LaFleur attributes his tight end's eruption this season to the deployment of the 13-personnel formation, and the numbers support his assertion. Tight ends have accounted for 12 receiving touchdowns, nearly 33 percent of the total. The same group has accounted for 806 yards of the receiving yards.

While those totals may not amaze fantasy football participants, it's a stark improvement for a team that had all but abandoned tight ends in the past. In fact, the entire tight end room had never scored more than six touchdowns since hiring head coach Sean McVay. The group has doubled that total with three games remaining.

Seattle fans believe that fixing quarterback Sam Darnold's interceptions will hand them an easy victory in Week 16. But LA's offense continues to reinvent itself, deploying tight ends and running backs who are more dangerous than ever.

Los Angeles' offense was held to 21 points and 249 yards in the first contest. You won't witness that in Week 16. And it's safe to bet that tight end Colby Parkinson will be a huge factor in an offensive surge this week.

As always, thanks for reading