Yahoo Sports activities NFL Writers Charles McDonald and Jori Epstein discuss in regards to the Los Angeles Rams resolution to launch LB Bobby Wagner amid their ‘roster reworking,’ and talk about potential commerce locations for CB Jalen Ramsey.
Video transcript
CHARLES MCDONALD: The Rams’ invoice is coming due. Bobby Wagner was launched by the Rams after one season. He signed, like, a 5 yr $50 million deal. I am undecided how a lot of that was really actual cash.
And it looks as if Jalen Ramsey is about to be traded over the following couple of weeks, in accordance with Tom Pelissero with NFL Community. I feel that– I feel we should not be shocked at this cut-off date has come. However I’m a bit of shocked that they did not give it, like, another run with the– the Ramsey, Donald, Stafford, Kupp core, simply because there have been so many accidents final yr, it was going to be laborious to attempt to recreate the Tremendous Bowl run regardless.
However man, it simply sort of appears like they stop on this a bit of bit early. Jori, what are your ideas on the place the Rams are proper now? And you realize, I am sort of pleased to hit the reset button a bit of bit on their wage cap.
JORI EPSTEIN: Yeah, it is s good query going again to, like, some nice articles which have come out within the week. Jourdan Rodrigue, who covers the Rams for “The Athletic” did sort of a deep dive into the Rams final season, why it collapsed in the way in which it did, how Sean McVay felt all through that and Sean McVay speaking about how he is aware of he is, like, a thermostat. His optimistic vitality seeps into the group, however so, too, does his damaging vitality.
And in that article, the Rams describe themselves as not rebuilding, however reworking. However I feel that actions communicate louder than phrases. And such as you mentioned, when you’re eliminating Bobby Wagner already, notably when he was one of many few stabilizing forces and each by way of his play, and his management, and his perspective on the sector final yr, I feel it sends an indication Jalen Ramsey equally.
Like, when you’re Aaron Donald and also you have been deciding whether or not to return again, like, do you know that Bobby Wagner and Jalen Ramsey may not be there? And if that’s the case, like, when was that communicated to you? I feel that– I do assume that one thing was going to have to offer with the way in which the Rams constructed their roster. That was all the time going to be the case. And perhaps when you’re Bobby Wagner, you say, like, hey, in the event that they know they’re reworking, I do know I am on the finish of my profession, I feel I can carry that management to a crew that is rather a lot nearer to contending.
CHARLES MCDONALD: What do you assume can be an fascinating crew for Jalen Ramsey to finish up traded to? I’ve seen individuals say that the Lions can be a fun– a enjoyable vacation spot as a result of they’ve two first spherical picks. But when the Rams ask for six, I am undecided if I will be prepared to offer that again to them.
JORI EPSTEIN: Yeah, that is an excellent query. I used to be listening to that, like, the Bengals have been somebody that folks had thought would have an interest. And clearly, a crew like that– I do not know if their cap house or assets and draft and all that appears like, however they positively have a crew that is shut sufficient that when you get that final piece–
CHARLES MCDONALD: They’ve the cap house for it.
JORI EPSTEIN: Yeah.
CHARLES MCDONALD: They do have the cap house for it.
JORI EPSTEIN: And so they’ve obtained the defensive coordinator who will absolutely– like, how enjoyable would that be in Landry’s protection? Like, he is aware of find out how to scheme gamers. So that will positively curiosity me. I am making an attempt to assume. I imply, the place are–
CHARLES MCDONALD: Vegas.
JORI EPSTEIN: What in regards to the Vikings?
CHARLES MCDONALD: Oh, the Vikings. That is an excellent one too. I feel that’d be an important match, Brian Flores. They want a– they want somebody who can play some man protection. I do not know if Patrick Peterson is basically nonetheless an important match for that specific protection. However I imply, that will be enjoyable too.
JORI EPSTEIN: I could not bear in mind once you obtained to renegotiate Justin Jefferson’s contract. However the faster you can begin maximizing on his rookie window, the higher.
CHARLES MCDONALD: Yeah. And also you’re taking a look at a crew that– they have already got some star expertise. So I imply, simply including to the highest heaviness of that roster would possibly work out. However I feel even they’re a bit of money strapped. They’d need to make some strikes to get beneath the cap earlier than they’ll make that commerce. I feel you– you realize what crew, like, would possibly be capable to determine it out and finagle it?
JORI EPSTEIN: Who?
CHARLES MCDONALD: The Eagles. The Eagles.
JORI EPSTEIN: Ooh. That is in the event that they lose some guys, proper? As a result of do not they’ve Bradberry and CJ Gardner-Johnson each headed to the market?
CHARLES MCDONALD: Yeah. And so they have the tenth decide within the draft that they might commerce to the Rams in trade for Ramsey too.
JORI EPSTEIN: However you simply mentioned declare tenth decide for Jalen Ramsey. Would you– or either side, would you do this?
CHARLES MCDONALD: No. If I used to be the Rams. I would need a bit of bit extra, perhaps, like, a 3rd or fourth spherical decide. I do not know if he can get two ones once more like they did after they traded for Jalen Ramsey from the Jaguars. However like, if I can get a primary and a 3rd or first and a second, I feel I’d pull the set off on that as a result of there’s additionally, like–
From a negotiation standpoint facet of it, it is like, these groups are– the groups know that the Rams are a bit of determined to get beneath the cap. So I may not be as prepared to throw away two first spherical picks if I can simply say, hey, you do not actually have a alternative within the matter, so give me the all-pro.
JORI EPSTEIN: And the Eagles obtained to save lots of room on their cap for Jalen’s contract, though in concept, you might push that off down the street by way of cap hit.
