Every off-season, we are reminded that the NFL is pure business and all 32 NFL teams will cut or trade anyone. If Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice, and Joe Montana can end their careers with different teams than the ones they starred for, ANYONE can be cast off. After saying good-bye to future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald to retirement in 2024, the Rams and their fans bid farewell to former Super Bowl MVP and receiving Triple Crown winner Cooper Kupp this off-season. Injuries and young stud WR Puka Nacua relegated Kupp to WR2 and with a hefty $29,000,000 salary, HC Sean McVay and GM Les Snead decided to release the former team captain after failing to find a trade partner. Kupp still has good football in him and he signed a three year $45,000,000 contract with division rival Seattle. Kupp is from the North West and so he is returning to his home state and he will have at least two chances a season to make the Rams regret releasing him. Let's look at some of the moves Los Angeles has made so far in free agency.

KEY PLAYERS ADDED OR RETAINED:

OB Matthew Stafford - Adjusted his contract to two years with a raise in salary

WR Davante Adams - Signed free agent contract 2 years $46,000,000

OT Alaric Jackson - Retained with new 3 year contract at over $57,000,000

OL Coleman Shelton - Signed a 2-year deal after playing in Chicago last season

DL Poona Ford - Free agent signing 3 years for $27,600,000

WR Tutu Atwell - Retained on 1 year deal at $10,000,000

QB Jimmy Garoppolo - Retained on 1 year deal at $4,505,000

RB Ronnie Rivers - Retained on 1 year deal (amount not known)

The most important move was retaining Stafford. Trade rumors were in the air but the Rams took care of business right away. Adding Adams was huge and softens the loss of Kupp. Retaining Jackson was a top priority and adding Ford is an upgrade to losing Brown (see below). Atwell got paid and needs to step up this season. Shelton and Garappolo provide important depth.

KEY PLAYERS THE RAMS LOST:

WR Cooper Kupp - released and signed with the Seahawks

OG Jonah Jackson - traded to Bears

DE Mike Hoecht - signed with the Bills

LB Christian Rozeboom - signed with the Panthers

DL Bobby Brown III - signed with the Panthers

DL Neville Gallimore - signed with the Colts

LB Jake Hummel - signed with the Ravens

WR Demarcus Robinson - signed with the 49ers

WR Tyler Johnson - signed with the Jets

TE Hunter Long - signed with the Jaguars

Kupp was the only big loss and Los Angeles might have upgraded the position with the addition of Adams. Several of the players listed above contributed to the 2024 success of the Rams but none were irreplaceable and I think overall, Los Angeles upgraded their roster. The Rams still have numerous players without contracts, most notably OL Joseph Noteboom, DB John Johnson, and DB Ahkello Witherspoon, and I think they let most of them walk in free agency.

The Rams have a strong nucleus and have been able to develop young talent that they drafted; therefore, they were not desperate during free agency and were able to make prudent moves to improve the roster. If Los Angeles can have another successful draft, they will be well stocked for the immediate future. The only position that will need to be addressed in the next few years or whenever Stafford retires is quarterback. I have one name that would make me so happy if Los Angeles drafted him. That name is Dillon Gabriel! Let's go Rams, you can do it! Love and blessings to my family. Miss you Pops and Scratch! Aloha and God Bless!

End.