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As of now, we are $14.1 Million over the cap.
The Los Angeles Rams Get Help With An Increased Salary Cap, But They Still Need To Be Financially Creative
Jay Paris, ContributorThe NFL threw the Los Angeles Rams a bit of financial bone by announcing an bump in the salary cap for next season.
The Rams, coming off a dreadful 5-12 season, will be busy trying to plug their holes to rebound in 2023. With L.A.’s philosophy of paying their stars handsomely and then filling in the roster’s margins with more affordable players, more money to sprinkle around is a good thing.
The salary cap will increase from last season’s standard of $208.2 million to $224.8 million. But even with that additional flexibility, the Rams remain $14.1 million over the cap according to spotrac.com.
The Rams have until March 15 to get things right, which means general manager Les Snead will be doing his annual tap dance to be compliant.
It’s a delicate maneuver for Snead considering how top heavy the Rams are, in relation to where their cap space is consumed. Just five players will account for 53.72 percent of the cap, which handcuffs Snead in his pursuit of attractive free agents.
The fab five for the Rams regarding their salary cap hits for next season: wide receiver Cooper Kupp ($27.8 million), defensive tackle Aaron Donald ($26 million), cornerback Jalen Ramsey ($25.2 million), edge rusher Leonard Floyd ($22 million) and quarterback Matthew Stafford ($20 million).
Plus, once again, the Rams are minus a first-round pick which increases the pressure on Snead to shine in reworking contracts.
The Rams will likely restructure some of the above deals, extending their salary cap liability for the long haul by providing a short-term solution.
They could also trade some of their high-priced talent, but that doesn’t seem likely as L.A., the defending Super Bowl champion for two more weeks, needs to rally after last year’s pratfall.
Snead wouldn’t use the word “rebuilding” in his post-season press conference, instead leaning on “remodel” when asked about the Rams’ approach to tweaking the squad.
“We would almost have to tear it down to rebuilt,’’ Snead said. “Because we have a lot of really good players in their prime on the roster.’’
With their dicey cap issues, it’s doubtful the Rams will seek to retain quarterback Baker Mayfield as he’ll soon become an unrestricted free agent.
L.A. can’t afford the insurance policy of having Mayfield, who played well for it down the stretch, in case Stafford is compromised again by injuries. Mayfield is seeking a starter’s job, something the Rams can’t offer considering their financial commitment to that position with Stafford.
The Rams were fortunate the cap went up next season. If they get lucky by staying healthy next season, their road to respectability could be shorter than many envision.
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