Rams still haven't come to the Kamren Curl realization that they need to

When the Washington Commanders opted not to give standout safety Kamren Curl a new deal, a few eyebrows were raised around the league. This was a player who rose from a seventh-round pick to become a productive starter. Still, new general manager Adam Peters didn't believe his performances warranted another financial commitment from the franchise.

The Los Angeles Rams held a different opinion. They signed Curl to a two-year deal, and he immediately began to repay this faith. Things have taken another surge forward in his second year with the club.

Curl is a supreme enforcer on the backend. He's a physical, hard-hitting safety with exceptional anticipation skills and a genuine nous for being around the football consistently. The Rams' defense has young stars everywhere you look, and the former Arkansas standout is one of them.

Rams need to extend Kamren Curl at the earliest opportunity

If the Rams haven't come to this realization yet, they should. And the sooner they offer an extension to Curl, the better.

Obviously, playoffs and a potential Super Bowl tilt are at the forefront of everyone's mind. The Rams currently hold the NFC's No. 1 seed, and they've got a good chance to tighten their grip on it this weekend against the Carolina Panthers. Any contract talks are probably on the back burner right now. But once their season exploits conclude, which might not be until the very end, extending Curl should be high on general manager Les Snead's list of priorities.

Curl hasn't turned 27 yet. The defensive back has his best football ahead of him, and the Rams have shown a willingness to reward those who prove their worth. He's done that emphatically, so this might come down to the demands on his next deal and nothing more.

The Rams are one of the best-run football franchises around. They took a chance on Curl when the Commanders cast him aside with little fanfare attached. He's embraced the challenge and slotted seamlessly into the culture built by head coach Sean McVay. That sort of thing tends to prompt another commitment, and Los Angeles would be wise to resolve this matter at the earliest possible opportunity.

Anything less sends out the wrong message. Curl is consistent, emerging as a leader, and communicates exceptionally. He's the type of player you build around, so the Rams cannot make the grave error Washington somehow managed.

It might cost a little bit more, but Curl's earned every cent coming his way.