Titans did the Rams no favors with massive Jeffery Simmons extension

It might have seemed of little relevance to the Los Angeles Rams when the Titans inked defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to a massive extension earlier this week. The three-year, $105.8 million deal made Simmons the highest-paid d-lineman in the league. Good for him. Good for the Titans' defense. 

The transaction could actually have substantial ripple effects on the Rams. Their own star on the defensive front, Kobie Turner, has an extension of his own to get done. With Simmons' new deal on record, Turner's price tag just went up. 

While he's earned every penny he's worth, having to pay him even moderately more than previous projections will further constrict the team's financial flexibility as a payroll crunch nears.

Paying up for Turner would cram Rams' books even further

Siimmons ranks among the top interior defenders in the NFL. Pro Football Focus graded him third at his position. He led all defensive linemen with 12 sacks, per PFF, as well as in hurries, stops, and forced fumbles. 

Although Turner might not be quite at that level, he's close. He earned a top-six PFF grade in his category, recorded eight sacks, finished second in hurries, and fifth in total pressures. Retaining Turner was never going to be cheap, and that's even truer now.

The former third-round pick is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Spotrac estimates his next contract at four years for $129.3 million. By annual value, that would put him right behind Simmons, just ahead of Kansas City Chiefs DT Chris Jones. 

The Rams already need to extend edge rusher Byron Young. Ditto for Puka Nacua and at least three out of the offensive line's four pending free agents (guards Kevin Dotson and Steve Avila and tackle Warren McClendon - sorry, Coleman Shelton). Davante Adams' contract expires after this season. With how crucial he is to Sean McVay's red-zone offense - it's fair to see he is McVay's red-zone offense - the Horns could look to bring him back, even at age 34. 

They won't be able to re-sign everyone. Even after cleverly restructuring Myles Garrett's deal, that's still money on the future books. The Rams just gave cornerback Trent McDuffie a record extension, signed Jaylen Watson, and extended safety Kam Curl. Matthew Stafford got another year and $55 million tacked on to his deal.

Turner's contract projections have bounced all over the place. It wasn't so long ago that Spotrac pinned his annual value at around $25 million per year. Well, that's not happening. Good for Turner if he gets his money. The Rams would be foolish not to extend him, given how important he is as a pass-rush anchor up front. 

In the aftermath of the Simmons deal, though, Turner will cost more than ever, potentially at his fellow extension candidates' expense.

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