The Los Angeles Rams may have won the Super Bowl, but losing is what they’ve been, and will be, known for. For proof: the fact that they haven’t had a winning record since 2003 and haven’t made the playoffs since 2002.
Last season, the Los Angeles Rams became the first team in the league to surpass the $1 billion mark in total value. As a result, they were given the green light to spend big, and they did so. Since the Rams joined the league in 1946, they have never made the playoffs, and they will no longer be in the postseason, if they continue this trend.
The Los Angeles Rams, one of the most successful teams in the NFL, made history on Thursday by signing their first ever draft pick: quarterback Jared Goff. The Rams held this pick for a whopping six and a half hours and selected him over the likes of Carson Wentz and Paxton Lynch, eventually trading back up to the spot they eventually picked him. Goff will be the first player selected in the NFL Draft with no experience on a team’s active roster, and he’ll enter the league with a $1 million guarantee.
The Los Angeles Rams have claimed to have the greatest punter in the NFL for a long time.
Johnny Hekker, a four-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro, has been with the Rams since 2012. He was a member of the All-2010s squad in the Hall of Fame and topped the league in punt yards per punt in 2015.
In addition to his iron leg, Hekker has repeatedly shown that he is one of the league’s best pass punters. On fourth down, the Rams often use trick plays, which Hekker executes perfectly.
The Los Angeles Rams have experienced a roller coaster ride over the last decade or so, but one thing has stayed constant. They have a really good punter. That fact, however, may not hold true for much longer.
Johnny Hekker’s contract with the Los Angeles Rams has been modified.
Rams P Johnny Hekker may now earn up to $2.75 million in 2021 and 2022, and up to $3 million in 2023, according to a revised contract.
The move frees up $1 million in cap space for LA, and Hekker now has the option to opt out of his contract’s 2023 year and seek free agency a year earlier if he so desires.
September 6, 2021 — Field Yates (@FieldYates)
The executive management of the Los Angeles Rams opted to restructure Hekker’s deal to free up cap money.
Hekker may now earn $2.75 million in 2021 and 2022, and $3 million in 2023, according to NFL source Field Yates. The Rams will be able to save $1 million as a result of the restructuring, which they would most likely utilize to fund a depth move later in the season.
Hekker was overjoyed to be remaining in LA for the time being after consenting to the reworking:
“It meant a great deal to me. It’s something for which I’m very grateful. And, looking back, I’m grateful for the chance to return,” he added. “To be respected and welcomed back here means a lot, particularly with a quality player like Corey [Bojorquez] and being able to have him moved to a location like Green Bay where he can make a big impact.”
The Rams Wire’s Johnny Hekker
Before this revamping, the Rams were close on the edge of the league’s pay cap, making it an essential move. Contract revisions and restructures are nothing new at this time of year. In reality, an increasing number of NFL clubs are using them to manipulate their finances.
At first look, it seems like the Rams are making a low-stress move. However, it may have severe consequences in the future.
Hekker’s contract may now be terminated.
While this move would save LA $1 million in 2021, the difficult aspect of the restructure is that Hekker will be able to opt out of his contract a year early.
According to Yates, Hekker is set to earn $3 million in 2023 if he decides to remain in Los Angeles. He may now opt out of the contract entirely and pursue greater money in free agency.
If Hekker decides to depart in the offseason to pursue a larger deal elsewhere (which he will almost certainly get), the Rams will be left high and dry without their All-Pro punter.
The Los Angeles Rams are beginning to feel the pinch of a large salary cap.
Los Angeles Rams’ Johnny Hekker | Getty Images/Steph Chambers
Losing a punter to free agency isn’t the end of the world for the Rams, but it is indicative of the team’s high payroll in recent seasons.
The Rams are rapidly running out of money, which will cost them important players like Hekker in the future.
Los Angeles may have addressed a short-term problem by restructuring Hekker’s contract, but they may easily lose their special teams ace by 2023. Prior to the restructuring, Hekker was scheduled to earn $4 million in 2023 (Spotrac); it’d be difficult to blame him for opting out of his Rams contract and pursuing a bigger payout that summer.
Pro Football Reference provided all stats.
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The Los Angeles Rams did something which no other NFL team has ever done: They traded away their 1st round draft pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The Rams traded their 1st round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for the Niners’ 2018 1st round pick, which is the 6th overall pick, and an additional 3rd round pick (compensation for the Rams’ 1st round Super Bowl loss). The Rams made this trade to get back their 1st round draft pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.. Read more about rams cards spread and let us know what you think.
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