It was reported on Sunday that Los Angeles Rams star Myles Garrett will be placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury, leaving him out of action for at least the next four weeks. In the meantime, others will be asked to step up, with Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart projected to be the team's starting outside linebackers.
Young, who has been a starter since coming into the NFL in 2023, is in a contract year and is one of several impending free agents that the Rams must make a decision on before the offseason gets into full swing. Young's production, skill set, and positional value will likely demand a deal worth over $100 million, while his age (28) and potential knee issue could factor into negotiations, too.
At the same time, players like
Puka Nacua, Kobie Turner and Steve Avila are expecting major deals as well. Plus, Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Kam Curl, Matthew Stafford, and Garrett all signed deals with the team this past offseason.
Stewart is young, powerful, and full of potential. He has multiple skills, an aggressive playstyle, and has outproduced all expectations for his young career. He's also under contract for two more seasons after this year. From a financial standpoint, Young is on the way out.
If Young wishes to remain a member of the Rams for the foreseeable future, he will have to prove his worth in Garrett's absence. Stewart will have a similar snap count, so the camera will be on both. Young needs to show that he can be a consistent double-digit sack artist who will be hard to replace, while Stewart could be making moves towards becoming Los Angeles' next star defender.
These next few weeks could determine what the future of the defensive line looks like.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: A lot is on the line for Byron Young during Myles Garrett's absence
