Rams nearing a decision that will send Emmanuel Forbes an unmistakable message

Los Angeles Rams cornerbacks Akhello Witherspoon and Derion Kendrick were the last of the free agents to find homes this offseason. They signed last week with the Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys, respectively. Former CB Cobie Durant is also a Cowboy. Cornerback Roger McCreary joined the Detroit Lions.

Darious Williams retired. 

The secondary has undergone a wholesale rehaul. Among members of the 2025 cornerback rotation, only Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and Josh Wallace remain behind newcomers Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. 

The exodus sums up the Rams' assessment of last year's group: not good enough, which it clearly wasn't. It also says a lot about their belief in Forbes, whom they appear content to lean on as next man up.

Their comfort level may not go far beyond that, given his inconsistency and struggles last season. If the organization truly believes in him, however, there is one obvious, if very bold move to make. By picking up his $12.6 million fifth-year option by the May 1 deadline, LA would be committing to him for each of the next two seasons. 

If that doesn't happen, he'll know he needs to prove himself before the Rams consider extending their investment. Either way, the message will be clear. Capisce? 

Los Angeles needs to see more from Forbes this season

Forbes joined the Rams in November 2024 after being waived by the Commanders. Although he played little that season, they kept him around. He took on a much larger role last year in his first-ever shot as a regular starter.  

For a desperate secondary, he injected durability, physical play, and high energy. An aggressive ballhawk, Forbes tied for the team lead with three interceptions and logged 13 pass breakups.

But he also hurt the Rams with repeated mistakes and sloppiness. In the run game, he struggled to consistently execute tackles. In pass coverage, he was vulnerable to chunk plays, allowing the seventh-most yards per catch last season at 15.3 a pop. Overall, Pro Football Focus ranked him 93rd among 114 eligible corners. 

That's not the type of season that should make the Rams feel warm and cozy about handing him a sizable chunk of guaranteed money for 2027. Declining his option would make him a free agent next offseason, which feels like the more prudent outcome. With McDuffie and Watson under contract, the team has a lot less urgency to secure potential starting-caliber reinforcements for future seasons.

If the Rams like what they see from Forbes as CB3, they could attempt to bring him back in free agency, quite possibly at an annual value worth less than the option. Durant took $5.5 million to join the Cowboys as CB1. Assuming Forbes isn't elevated to a starter, his earning potential could be somewhat capped on his next contract.

The franchise already has a cautionary tale fresh in mind after granting Tutu Atwell a $10 million option last season. That investment blew up in the Rams' faces. They could still repeat that approach with Forbes, but he shouldn't count on it. He'll have his answer in about a month.