The Los Angeles Rams are gearing up for a crucial offseason as they look to bolster their defensive backfield. With five players entering free agency, including two starters, addressing the secondary will be a significant priority ahead of the NFL draft scheduled for April.
Over the past three offseasons, the Rams have heavily invested in their pass rush to prepare for the eventual retirement of Aaron Donald. This approach has formed the backbone of defensive coordinator Chris Shula“s strategies. While the defense showed promise during the latter part of the 2024 season and early 2025, it ultimately faltered as the season progressed. Missed tackles and blown coverage plagued the team, leading to increased yardage and points for opponents.
As the Rams head into the offseason, they are in a favorable position with their entire pass rush locked in through 2026. This allows them the flexibility to concentrate on improving the secondary and linebacker corps, striving for a cohesive unit rather than relying solely on one segment of the defense.
Returning starters in the Rams” defense include outside linebackers Jared Verse and Byron Young, along with defensive linemen Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, and Poona Ford. The linebacker group features Nate Landman and Omar Speights, while the secondary is anchored by Quentin Lake, Kamren Kinchens, and Emmanuel Forbes. This established defensive front will play a pivotal role in the Rams” offseason strategy.
Additionally, players like Turner and Young are eligible for contract extensions, and head coach Sean McVay has expressed a desire to retain both players long-term. Whether the Rams can finalize these deals this offseason or choose to wait until 2027 remains to be seen.
The Rams are facing significant turnover in their secondary, with key unrestricted free agents such as Kamren Curl, Cobie Durant, Roger McCreary, Ahkello Witherspoon, Troy Reeder, and Derion Kendrick. The team is also considering the release of veteran Williams, which would free up $7.5 million in cap space for 2026. This group has primarily contributed on special teams, making their potential departure impactful.
According to projections, the Rams are expected to have approximately $48.2 million in salary cap space for 2026. However, their commitments on defense stand at around $74.9 million, creating a complex decision-making environment as they strategize for the upcoming season.
The most pressing issue for the Rams involves their secondary. With Curl and Durant both set to enter free agency, the Rams face a dilemma. Durant has shown growth throughout his rookie contract but has not yet emerged as the number one cornerback since the departure of Jalen Ramsey. Curl, meanwhile, has been on a cost-effective deal but is likely seeking a more lucrative contract after a successful 2025 season.
The Rams have traditionally not allocated significant cap space to their secondary, though they recently extended Lake on a three-year deal. This raises the question of whether they will follow suit with Curl or Durant, or opt to explore the free agency market for potential upgrades at cornerback or safety. Notable free agents include Alontae Taylor from the Saints, Riq Woolen from the Seahawks, and Bryan Cook from the Chiefs.
Internally, the Rams may consider promoting Jaylen McCollough to replace Curl at safety, as he has impressed the coaching staff during his time on the field. The cornerback position, however, remains a more pressing concern. If the Rams decide to release Williams, Forbes would be the only outside cornerback remaining on the roster, potentially entering a contract year if the Rams do not exercise his fifth-year option for 2027.
It is also plausible that the Rams will adopt a similar strategy to their past drafts, selecting multiple cornerbacks in the upcoming draft. With two first-round picks and additional selections in the second and third rounds, they have ample opportunity to enhance their secondary while still maintaining high-level draft capital for other roster improvements.
Furthermore, the Rams must evaluate their options at inside linebacker. Landman has solidified his role on the defense, but Speights faced challenges during the postseason, particularly in coverage against Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker in the NFC Championship game.
