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It appears to me that Demoff might be back to doing contracts. A lot of the move stuff is over and the uniforms stuff seems to be taken care of. The last two contracts have a different feel to them. imo
Agamemnon
Inside Todd Gurley’s new deal
Posted by Mike Florio on July 25, 2018, 4:56 PM EDTAt a time when everyone was watching and waiting for Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald to get a new contract, the team opted instead to extend running back Todd Gurley. The dust has now officially settled, PFT has obtained the full breakdown of the deal, and the numbers are every bit as impressive as the original reports suggesting.
Now, the $45 million in reported guarantees aren’t, as many realize by now, fully guaranteed at signing. But the devices used by Roc Nation make the money fully guaranteed, as a practical matter.
More on that in a moment. For now, the nuts and bolts of the contract.
1. Signing bonus: $21 million.
2. 2018 base salary: $950,000, fully guaranteed.
3. 2019 base salary: $5 million, guaranteed for injury at signing and fully guaranteed on the third day of the 2019 league year.
4. 2020 roster bonus due on third day of 2020 league year: $7.55 million, guaranteed for injury at signing and fully guaranteed on the third day of the 2019 league year.
5. 2020 salary: $5.5 million, guaranteed for injury at signing and fully guaranteed on the third day of the 2020 league year.
6. 2021 roster bonus due on the third day of 2021 league year or when the first game, whichever is earlier: $5 million, guaranteed for injury at signing and fully guaranteed on the third day of the 2020 league year.
7. 2021 salary: $4 million.
8. 2022 roster bonus, due on the third day of the 2022 league year: $1 million.
9. 2022 training camp reporting bonus: $4 million.
10. 2022 salary: $5 million.
11. 2023 roster bonus, due on the third day of the 2023 league year: $1 million.
12. 2023 training camp reporting bonus: $4 million.
13. 2023 salary: $5.449 million.
14. 2023 escalator: Up to $2.5 million based on individual and team performance.
And now for some more information and analysis on the deal.
First, much of the guaranteed money has no offset language. Specifically, the signing bonus, 2018 salary, 2019 salary, and $5 million of the 2020 roster bonus are not subject to dollar-for-dollar credit if the Rams release Gurley. That’s $31.95 million.
Second, $21.95 million is fully guaranteed at signing.
Third, as of the third day of the 2019 league year, a whopping $34.5 million of the deal will be fully guaranteed. Thus, to avoid owing him nearly $40 million, the Rams would have to cut Gurley after only one season. Which would give him $21.95 million for one year, none of which would be subject to offset.
Fourth, another $10.5 million becomes fully guaranteed on the third day of the 2020 league year. Which means that, to avoid paying him the full $45 million in guaranteed money, they’d have to cut him after two years — and he’d walk away with $34.5 million for two seasons of work.
Fifth, the 2021 roster bonus was negotiated with a potential work stoppage in mind. That’s why the trigger is the third day of the league year or the playing of the first game.
Sixth, technically, the four-year, $60 million extension has a base value of $57.5 million. This also means that the full six-year deal has a base value of $69.449 million. Which makes the new-money average of the base deal $14.375 million and the total average from signing $11.574 million.
Those numbers are still far and away above the current running back market, which has been depressed at the top end since Adrian Peterson and Chris Johnson signed their long-term deals in 2011.
As noted on Tuesday, Gurley was due to make only $2.3 million this year. By next year, Le’Veon Bell‘s new deal would have become the benchmark for Gurley. So the Rams made Gurley an offer he really couldn’t refuse, with a practical guarantee at signing of $34.5 million and a clear path to the full $45 million.
Plus, Gurley will be 29 when the deal expires, which will give him another shot at a market-level deal, if he stays healthy and effective.
Seventh, and finally, Gurley would have made $37.3 million over the next four years, if he’d gone year to year. Under the new deal, the cash flow is $21.95 million through one year, $26.95 million through two years, $39.5 million through three years, and $49.5 million through four years. That’s $12.2 million more through four years than he would have made under the final two years of his rookie deal and two years of the franchise tag.
So it was a very good deal for Gurley, one that he couldn’t have refused. And by offering it now, the Rams avoided having Bell’s new contract push the bar for Gurley even higher in 2019.
AgamemnonREPORT: Aaron Donald’s agent “insulted” by Los Angeles Rams contract extension offer
In quite an interesting development, the Rams and Aaron Donald’s camp still have some work cut out for each other
If you’ve felt completely out of the loop when it comes to the Los Angeles Rams negotiating with star defensive lineman Aaron Donald’s camp on a contract extension, it’s because you have been.
But not anymore.
Per a report from Eric Geller – a freelance multi media sports journalist – the Rams have made some substantial offers:
Eric Geller@ericsgeller
Just got confirmation. SOURCES: L.A. @RamsNFL offering @AaronDonald97 4 yr. $21M per making AD highest paid D player in NFL history. AD’s agent “insulted” by offer. He’s looking for north of $25M per for AD which is QB $$. Not going to happen, nor should it. #MobSquadNow, this is just a report and could be incorrect, but it’s nice to finally hear some news on the ongoing negotiations. It makes the situation of Donald skipping the start of training camp for a second-year clearer.
As the tweet notes, the Rams are more than willing to make Donald the highest paid defender in NFL history, though Donald’s camp isn’t satisfied. Not only are they searching for number one defender money, but they actually want quarterback money, per the report.
We could argue forever about whether Donald is worth it or not, but one thing’s for certain, neither side should want a divorce. Donald is arguably the best player in the entire league with the accolades piling in every year: four-time pro bowler, three-time first-team all-pro, NFL Defensive Player of the Year, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, and so forth.
Let the negotiations continue.
I don’t know that I believe any of that.
Agamemnonhttps://am570lasports.iheart.com/content/2018-07-24-bonsignore-the-ball-is-in-aaron-donalds-court/
They talk about Donald at ~2:00.
AgamemnonRams place Dominique Easley, Obo Okoronkwo on PUP list
Rams place Dominique Easley, Obo Okoronkwo on PUP list
Posted by Josh Alper on July 24, 2018, 3:31 PM EDTTuesday’s press conference with Rams coach Sean McVay and General Manager Les Snead focused on the team’s agreement with running back Todd Gurley on a contract extension and the lack of a deal with defensive tackle Aaron Donald, but there were some other matters discussed as well.
McVay said that the team is placing defensive tackle Dominique Easley and linebacker Obo Okoronkwo on the physically unable to perform list. The players won’t be able to practice as long as they are on the PUP list, but can be activated at any point.
Easley tore his ACL last August and missed the entire season. He re-signed with the Rams this offseason. Easley had 24 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 16 games for the Rams in 2016.
Okoronkwo was a fifth-round pick this April and missed time this offseason after foot surgery. McVay indicated he doesn’t expect the rookie’s stay on the PUP list to be a long one.
AgamemnonI see this stuff as the Rams are finally starting to work on keeping their young players. I am not worried about Donald. I see no pressure or problems until they have to extend Goff at $30 million per year and that is in 2021.
Agamemnon
The next 2 years are the same then the extension starts. That is the way I read this. Basically Gurley’s contract starts in 2 years, but I in thinking they are counting the guaranteed money from 2018. That seems like a fair contract. I value him as much as Cooks as I said before. In 2020, when the Cap is probably $200 million, $15 million isn’t a killer amount. imo
AgamemnonI am just not sure they can afford that. So if you figure by 2020 it’s Donald 23 M, Goff 30 M, Cooks 16 M, Peters 15 M, that’s already 84 M. Add another 16 M to that and it’s 100 M. That would leave 20 M for 2-3 more top contracts.
Yeah, 2020 is the rub. You no longer have a cheap QB and Gurley and Peters are off their rookie contracts.
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But, in absolute value, I have no problem giving Gurley $16 million, but would I rather give Gurley the money or give it to some other player? AgamemnonI think Gurley is more valuable than Cooks. Will I pay him $16 million per year? I will have to wait and see when the time comes.
AgamemnonIs he as good as Sammy Watkins?
w
vI think he is a bit better, but it is hard to tell.
Agamemnononly $20.5 million is guaranteed at signing
That is a good number for the Rams. Cooks $16 million/yr contract seems high, but it really isn’t for a raising cap. imo
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The Rams and the salary cap are in good shape until Goff comes due. That is when the hard decisions will have to be made. imo
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In the mean time, the best thing is to draft well. AgamemnonWith barely more than a week left until camp opens, the Rams made their first move of the season, locking up new wideout Brandin Cooks on a long-term deal. Inside the Rams host Ryan Kartje is joined by Rams beat writer Rich Hammond to break down Cooks’ deal and what it means for the near future.
AgamemnonBrandin Cooks has racked up over 200 more yards on throws 20+ yards downfield than the next best receiver over the past three seasons. pic.twitter.com/crFhooZzKG
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) July 18, 2018
AgamemnonContractually, the @RamsNFL now have @brandincooks @robertwoods @CooperKupp (and @J_Rey_11) in Horns for at least the next three seasons. That’s a tremendous corps. #LARams
— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) July 17, 2018
Brandin Cooks had been set to play this season for approximately $8.5 million, under the fifth-year option of his rookie contract. I'm told the team, in re-signing Cooks, moved some of that money around to create short-term flexibility, but not a ton of it.
— Rich Hammond (@Rich_Hammond) July 17, 2018
Agamemnon16 M a year is the going rate for WR 2nd contracts in 2018.
It’s what the Rams wouldn’t, and the Chiefs did, pay Watkins.
Good for Cooks cause he could have gotten more as a FA in 2019.
…This is the first contract the Rams have done, since they moved, that I like. When I look at where salaries are headed, I think this is a bit in the Rams favor. I would rather pay this to Cooks, than Watkins. imo
AgamemnonSince the Rams left St. Louis I am not as invested in football as I used to be. A strike or a lockout isn’t the end of the world any more. Eventually the players will have guaranteed contracts and a bigger slice of the pie. imo
Agamemnon
I just had a new microwave, oven, and refrigerator installed. I am happy with them. I have a good ice maker and a giant 22,000 btu burner. AgamemnonCBS Sports: #LARams Boast Three of the NFL’s Top 30 Players Over 30
Daily Dose 🗞 » https://t.co/qjR1OSMmlS pic.twitter.com/ovgAUF2w3r
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) June 19, 2018
Tuesday, Jun 19, 2018 09:42 AM
Daily Dose: Rams Boast Three of the NFL’s Top 30 Players Over 30
Kristen Lago
Rams Writer/Reporter
This offseason, theRams.com will be taking a look around the internet for the top Rams headlines of the day. Here’s a look at what’s out there for Tuesday, June 19th about your Los Angeles Rams:
CBS Sports’ Top 30 NFL players 30 and Over:
With the NFL’s summer break upon us and all 32 clubs on hiatus, many sports outlets have taken to ranking the top players in the league during the time before training camps begin in July.
And while the NFL has long been considered a young man’s game, this week CBS Sports’ Sean Wagner-McGough is breaking down the top players 30 and over — those who continue to dominate the league towards the end of their careers.
Check out the three current Rams who made the cut:
24. Andrew Whitworth, OT, Rams (36)
“What a signing Whitworth proved to be for the Rams last year. Coming over from Cincinnati after an illustrious 11-year run with the Bengals, Whitworth solidified the left side of Rams’ offensive line. According to PFF’s grades, he was the ninth-best offensive tackle in terms of run blocking, which played a role in Todd Gurley’s near-MVP season.”
13. Aqib Talib, CB, Rams (32)
“Talib was just one of the Rams’ many amazing offseason additions. And what an addition he was. In his career, which began in 2008, he’s racked up 34 interceptions. In that span, only Charles Woodson has more. He’s still going strong. Over the past five seasons, he’s got 15 interceptions. Last year in Denver, he graded out as PFF’s 15th best cornerback. He’s had the benefit of playing on some pretty stacked defenses, and this year won’t be any exception, which should lead to even more success. That pass rush is going to help him.”
PHOTOS: Best Shots From Rams Media Day6. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Rams (31)
“Don’t buy into the narrative that Suh’s skills have declined. He’s still one of the best players at his position and he’s going to provide the Rams with a lift that could get them over the playoff hump and into the Super Bowl. He’s still a force of nature. He’s got 51.5 sacks in his career despite playing a position that doesn’t exactly make it easy to bring down opposing quarterbacks. This past season, he graded out as PFF’s fifth-best interior defender behind only Aaron Donald (his new teammate, which is both fun and scary), Geno Atkins (more on him in a second), Kawann Short, and Fletcher Cox.”
AgamemnonHey, ag…how do we copy these to the site here?
Thanks.
I think I tried that. I don’t think it works, because they don’t use the mp3 format for their audio files. That is the only one I can copy.
AgamemnonSean McVay Press Conference 6-12
Rams Head Coach Sean McVay addresses the media after the first day of mini camp about Donald’s absence and more. Agamemnon#LARams LIVE: Sean McVay Press Conference https://t.co/LGOwEb8kvj
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) June 12, 2018
#LARams LIVE: Jared Goff Press Conference https://t.co/N69YGydXd6
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) June 12, 2018
Agamemnon
