It's not hard to see why this season is viewed as Super Bowl or bust for the Los Angeles Rams. They went all-in this offseason, adding the likes of Myles Garrett, Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson and now Aaron Donald. They also have a 38-year-old quarterback in Matthew Stafford who is year-to-year when it comes to retirement, potentially calling it a career after the 2026 season.
But an overlooked reason for the urgency to win a ring this year is the potential departures in free agency next offseason. The Rams have 11 starters on offense or defense who are in the final year of their current contracts. Their two main specialists, Harrison Mevis and Ethan Evans, are also on expiring deals.
That gives the Rams 13 key starters who could be playing their
final season in horns.
- WR Puka Nacua
- WR Davante Adams
- DT Aaron Donald
- RG Kevin Dotson
- TE Colby Parkinson
- C Coleman Shelton
- LG Steve Avila
- OLB Byron Young
- DT Kobie Turner
- RT Warren McClendon Jr.
- LB Omar Speights (RFA)
- K Harrison Mevis (ERFA)
- P Ethan Evans
The Rams will certainly re-sign some of the players above, but there's no chance they'll retain all of them. Nacua, Avila, Young, Turner and McClendon are all on modest rookie contracts and will likely be looking for major raises in 2027 – either from the Rams or another team in free agency.
It'll be borderline impossible for the Rams to keep all of their 2023 draftees because they've all become high-end starters worthy of sizable contracts.
Donald will likely return to retirement after this season, so that won't be a surprise. Speights will be easy to retain as a restricted free agent if the Rams want him back, as will Mevis as an exclusive rights free agent.
Dotson is the big one at right guard because he's still in the prime of his career and is worth every penny he'll earn next offseason. Shelton has also become an important piece of the offensive line at center.
Adams is approaching the end of his career and could be in a situation where it's either the Rams or retirement for him in 2027. Parkinson could walk with all the young talent the Rams have at tight end after drafting Terrance Ferguson and Max Klare in back-to-back years.
Other notables
- S Jaylen McCollough
- QB Stetson Bennett
- WR/PR Xavier Smith
- TE Davis Allen
- CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr.
- CB Josh Wallace
These players aren't starters but they are still key players for Los Angeles. McCollough is a versatile safety, Bennett is likely to be the QB2 this season and Smith is the primary punt returner. Allen, like Parkinson, could walk because of the Rams' tight end talent, while Forbes and Wallace are the top backups at cornerback.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 13 Rams starters who will become free agents after 2026 season
