The Los Angeles Rams have been one of many greatest surprises of the 2023 NFL season. Most anticipated them to be one of many worst groups within the NFL, however they caught fireplace down the stretch of the season, finally ending with 10 wins and making a postseason look.
Now this offseason, the Rams have the chance to construct off their success from a season in the past and that particularly goes for the defensive aspect of the ball. The Rams have found a lot of younger contributors on protection, however whether or not they are going to be capable of preserve all of them is unclear.
In keeping with Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic, the Rams will not be anticipated to supply tenders to linebackers Christian Rozeboom and Michael Hoecht or defensive deal with Jonah Williams, although they might nonetheless return to the staff in free company:
After talking with league sources, I don’t anticipate inside linebacker Christian Rozeboom, defensive deal with Jonah Williams or exterior linebacker Michael Hoecht to obtain tenders. The previous UFAs may nonetheless return after testing free company, however a young would have been about $3 million for one yr.
These can be some main holes to fill on the Rams protection ought to they be misplaced and all three are coming off career-best seasons. Hoecht completed third on the Rams in complete tackles with 81 and fourth in sacks with six whereas additionally including 11 quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss and a compelled fumble.
Rozeboom, in the meantime, was fourth on the Rams with 79 complete tackles whereas including 4 passes defensed and two tackles for loss. Williams began 16 of 17 video games for the Rams and completed with 49 tackles, two sacks, 4 tackles for loss and 4 quarterback hits.
What sort of market every of those gamers command in free company will certainly play a big position in whether or not or not they return to the Rams. They might certainly like to deliver them again nevertheless it should be on the proper value. The Rams need to construct off final season and that will be tough if they will’t retain these three key contributors.
Kevin Demoff wanting ahead to being aggressive once more this offseason
One factor that’s for sure concerning the Rams this offseason is that they gained’t be hamstrung by a scarcity of draft picks and wage cap room as was the case final yr. Kevin Demoff made it clear that the Rams plan to be aggressive as soon as once more.
In a current interview, Demoff spoke concerning the frustration of not with the ability to be as aggressive as that they had been prior to now as a result of lack of assets. However now armed with a number of picks and loads of cap area, Demoff and the Rams can be again to their regular aggressive selves.
