The Los Angeles Rams have done it right this offseason, once again stiff-arming traditional thinking to take care of those who helped them win the franchise’s first championship in 22 years.
Since defeating the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI, Los Angeles has given contract extensions to a number of veterans, including massive deals for quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who now ranks as the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.
The Rams have sent the message that performance at the highest level will be rewarded, even if you have years remaining on your contract. Bring home the silver and you will be rewarded in gold.
It sounds so logical, but across the league, there are hardline management types who believe you don’t pay a player unless — and until — you have to. They place a greater focus on building for tomorrow than winning today. On a certain level, this makes sense — if you subscribe to the traditional, conservative business model that treats the salary cap as an inflexible object. Teams have won championships with that mindset. But that philosophy can also create a wall between the locker room and the front office, as we have seen again this offseason with players seeking trades or withholding services from workouts because of dissatisfaction with their contract situations.
So, props to the Rams for doing what they did not have to do, working around the salary cap to honor performance. Their willingness to open the checkbook got me to wondering …
Which other veterans, across the league, deserve a pay raise?
Source: NFL
