Rams getting ready for 2026, 2027 extensions

The Dallas Cowboys signed defensive sort out Osa Odighizuwa to a four-year, $80 million contract on Tuesday, which is doubtlessly much more than non-Cowboys followers anticipated. In the event you’ve even heard of Odighizuwa earlier than.

The extension is a reminder of how a lot pricier starters have grow to be within the final decade, so if Odighizuwa is a $20 million per 12 months defensive sort out, how a lot does that imply Kobie Turner will make on his subsequent contract?

Most likely much more.

Cowboys and DT Osa Odighizuwa reached settlement immediately on a four-year, $80 million deal that features $58 million assured and a $20 million signing bonus.

Odighizuwa’s agent Sam Leaf Ireifej negotiated and confirmed the deal. pic.twitter.com/G96RihxqFQ

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2025

The Rams may have a couple of key gamers who’re extension eligible in 2026, which might be why L.A. goes “year to year” with Matthew Stafford and making ready to half methods with Cooper Kupp, except he takes an enormous pay minimize.

Although the Rams are scheduled to pay Stafford $31 million of recent cash in 2026, and Kupp $20 million, and Jonah Jackson $17 million, and Darious Williams $7 million, the fact is that these gamers most likely received’t be right here in a 12 months (or in a month) apart from Stafford.

If the Rams minimize Kupp, Jackson, and Williams, they’ll solely have about $140 million in commitments left with a wage cap anticipated to be round $300 million. That is what that might appear like:

Clearly, the Rams must signal new gamers to contracts this 12 months, so that they received’t have $154 million in cap area once we get to 2026.

However they might have plenty of cap area.

Then in 2027, there’s not a single veteran signed to the Rams roster. Not one. Rob Havenstein, Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, Kevin Dotson, and Stafford will all have their contracts expire by 2027. That signifies that the Rams have a ton of cap area post-2026.

However that received’t final lengthy as a result of they’ve a laundry checklist of huge extensions that they should hand out within the subsequent few years, beginning in 2026 and persevering with by way of 2028.

Listed below are the gamers who might be eligible for the primary time in 2026:
WR Puka Nacua

If conditions with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are any indication, Nacua will wait till after his fourth or fifth or doubtlessly even sixth 12 months earlier than signing an extension. Is that a good suggestion although?

Nacua’s robust, bodily model lends to extra accidents and he may need to get a lump sum of assured cash as quickly as he’s eligible. Plus, he was a fifth rounder, so Nacua’s not making very a lot cash till he indicators an extension. The Lions did this for Amon-Ra St. Brown, one other day three choose who has starred within the league since day one, so we should always count on one thing related.

It will be stunning if Nacua didn’t signal an extension in 2026.

It’s onerous to guess how a lot receiver costs will go up by then, however the prime of the market proper now could be $35 million with Justin Jefferson. Chase is claimed to be looking for $40 million per 12 months. A four-year, $140 million contract for Nacua might be within the playing cards.

DT Kobie Turner

With 17 sacks in his first two seasons, Turner might be the second most dear participant in L.A.’s 2023 draft class, and defensive tackles are making as much as $31.7 million (Chris Jones). Turner might see Nnamdi Madubuike’s $24.5 million and consider he’s price greater than that, and why not?

Turner is one other participant who wish to receives a commission ahead of later as a result of he was a 3rd spherical choose, however he may maintain off till after 4 seasons, like Madubuike did. The distinction is Turner proved particular a lot ahead of Madubuike did.

A four-year, $112 million contract (a bit greater than Christian Wilkins) might be his goal quantity.

C Steve Avila

It’s a lot simpler to see Avila as anyone who received’t be prolonged till after his fourth season. He might be an anchor for the offensive line for a very long time to return, however he was shifted round a bit final 12 months because the workforce tried to determine what to do with Jonah Jackson.

No person can actually say but if Avila is a particular, top-tier contract middle or somebody who suits snuggly within the 5-10 vary.

OLB Byron Younger

Younger is one other participant who has been actually good, however might find yourself being so much higher than he’s been thus far. Or regress. Who is aware of? We should always suppose Younger isn’t prolonged in 2026 and the workforce waits to see what his worth is by 2027. May he even be a franchise tag candidate?

The subsequent attainable extension goal from this draft class can be punter Ethan Evans. Others, like Davis Allen, Desjuan Johnson, and Warren McClendon, have a methods to go to show themselves.

The rookie class of 2024 clearly has two extra seasons to go earlier than they’re extension eligible, however they nonetheless must be on Les Snead’s thoughts in 2027 and 2028 when he’s making offers in 2025 and 2026.