Rams offseason strategy may hinge on whether NFL teams apply tags to these FAs

Okay, let's catch you up on the information that you almost certainly already know (or should know) about the Los Angeles Rams as the team gears up for the 2025 offseason. The team spent a lot of money in 2024 on offense with rather poor returns. As a result, the team is bound to make drastic changes to the status quo on the offensive side of the football.

As proof of the team's willing to do the unthinkable, the Rams have already informed veteran WR Cooper Kupp that he will be traded immediately. While the team's ability to attract an instantaneous trade partner remains to be seen, the team will likely part ways with Kupp before he is due to be paid a roster bonus of $7.5 million in mid-Match.

That is just the first step.

The team will need to (re)negotiate the current contract with quarterback Matthew Stafford as well. The current contract If you want to bone up on that matter, you are welcome to check out the many stories on that and related topics by clicking this link here. But the topic of discussion here is how NFL Franchise Tags applied by other teams on projected free agents can modify how the Rams plan to navigate the 2025 offseason. So who are we talking about?

Bengals WR Tee Higgins

Even as the Rams have already shown their hand by Cooper Kupp's social media announcement, there was an enclave of fans who had hoped that the move was just the first step of a two-step process. You see, almost all NFL fans have been eagerly anticipating an opportunity for their respective teams tol bid for the services of free agent wide receiver Tee Higgins.

The thing is, the Cincinnati Bengals appear to be moving to ensure that Higgins never becomes a free agent in 2025:

I won't beat this one into submission, as I had done a deep dive discussion on the Tee Higgins career versus that of Cooper Kupp. After close inspection of the data comparison of the two players, I hesitate to endorse the Rams' pursuit of Higgins, even if he were to become available in 2025 in free agency. The Rams are divesting from Kupp to make room on the roster for young WRs Puka Nacua and Jordan Whittington to step up this season.

Higgins excelled in the Bengals offense, but that is not a guarantee that he will flourish in the Rams offense. And the separation between Higgins and Kupp was not nearly as great as expected. If the Rams felt a need to sign Higgins, they should rethink parting ways with Kupp.

Higgins is simply not that much of an upgrade at the position.

QB Sam Darnold

Perhaps a more intriguing situation is developing around the LA Rams and the team's stalled contract (re)negotiations with veteran QB Matthew Stafford. The team has Stafford under contract through 2026 but with almost no guaranteed money in 2025 or 2026. And yet, the team seems to have painted itself into a corner with Matthew Stafford, at least from how the quarterback room appears right now.

If Matthew Stafford sits out or retires, Stetson Bennett is the lone remaining quarterback on the team.

Of course, fans are very resourceful. Perhaps fueled by some NFL analyst speculation, some expect the Rams to be eager suitors of Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback Sam Darnold if he hits the 2025 NFL Free Agency market. The thing is, the Vikings may designate Darnold as well. If that happens, Darnold may still be available, but in a sign-and-trade scenario that will cost the acquiring team some form of trade compensation as well as a hefty salary for Sam Darnold as well.

Of course, there are many options for the Rams to consider. The team is just as likely to extend veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Not only are Garoppolo and the team familiar with one another, but Garoppolo displayed comfortable command of the offense in a Week 18 loss of backups facing the Seattle Seahawks.

After humbling results from the 2024 NFL Free Agency market, I don't foresee the team's willingness to wade into the fray at the same level in 2025, at least not at the same level. I'm actually okay with that, as I believe NFL teams get far better results from closer inspection and thoroughly vetting free agents.

The Rams have built a winner through the NFL Draft. There's no need to change that strategy in 2025. As always, thanks for reading.

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