The #Rams tendered QB Case Keenum at a 1st round level… with the #Broncos lurkin

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NFL sets restricted free agency tenders for 2016

“Restricted free agents can be held in place through the application of one of three tenders. The lowest level provides a right or first refusal. The second-round tender provides a right of first refusal and (duh) a second-round pick as compensation if the original team doesn’t match. The first-round tender carries a right of first refusal and a first-round pick as compensation.

This year, the tender amounts are $1.671 million, $2.553 million, and $3.635 million, respectively.”

Rams give first-round tender to quarterback Case Keenum

Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/27443/rams-give-first-round-tender-to-quarterback-case-keenum

EARTH CITY, Mo. — The Los Angeles Rams took the first step in retaining their presumptive starting quarterback Wednesday when they extended a first-round tender to restricted free agent Case Keenum.

In giving Keenum a first-round tender, the Rams protected themselves against potential outside offers in the quarterback-needy NFL. The one-year deal for a first-round tender comes with a price tag of $3.635 million.

Under restricted free-agent rules, teams can tender players at their initial draft position or with first- or second-round designations.

Giving Case Keenum a first-round tender protects the Rams in the quarterback-needy NFL. AP Photo/Mark Zaleski
If another team negotiates with and signs a player to an offer sheet, the team signing him has to give up the corresponding draft pick. Since Keenum was an undrafted free agent, if another team signed him at his original-round tender, it would not have had to compensate the Rams.

Keenum’s first-round tender makes it unlikely a team would be willing to both offer a big enough contract to prevent the Rams from matching and give up a first-round pick for his services. With quarterback Brock Osweiler heading to the Houston Texans, the Rams likely viewed Denver as a potential suitor for Keenum and wanted to protect themselves in case the Broncos wanted to pursue him.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead have repeatedly said this offseason that they view Keenum as their starter heading into the offseason program. Although they’ve also left the door wide open to bring in another quarterback, they are at least expecting to give Keenum a chance to compete for the job.

Keenum told reporters last week that he knows he still has to earn his spot.

“I put expectations and goals on myself,” Keenum said. “I want to be really good, and I think I can be really good. And I work hard for that. Nothing’s ever been handed to me, and so I don’t expect anything to be handed to me. I’m going to work for it.”

The Rams extended an original-round tender to running back Benny Cunningham. The original-round tender is worth $1.671 million on a one-year deal. In a bit of a surprise, the Rams did not extend a tender to linebacker Daren Bates or running back Chase Reynolds, both of whom are key special-teams contributors. Both could be brought back on cheaper deals like the Rams did with center Tim Barnes a year ago.

Offensive lineman Brian Folkerts also did not receive a tender and is now a free agent. Other teams have until April 22 to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets.

Safety Cody Davis also didn’t get a tender offer, but he stayed with the team after agreeing to a new two-year deal.