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Rams should wait to extend their starting running back...
The Los Angeles Rams and Kyren Williams are considering a contract extension to keep the starting running back in Inglewood beyond 2025. Let me be clear before continuing: I am not recommending that the Rams extend Kyren Williams. However, the two parties have begun talks of an extension this offseason. Since Williams has finished three years on his rookie deal, he is eligible for such an extension.
While Kyren Williams has been a solid (not spectacular) player for the Rams, there are parts of his game that he leaves people wanting more.
It is no secret to the rest of the league, Williams is not an explosive back. His longest run in 2025 was only 30 yards. In fact, he only had two runs all season where he gained 20 or more yards.
I presume that the Rams drafted Jarquez Hunter for this precise reason. With Blake Corum already on the roster, Les Snead and LA added Hunter who actually has the ability to outrun linebackers and a secondary.
The last piece is that after the 2023 season, Williams said that explosiveness was his biggest focal point for the offseason. It seems to me that Williams is capped when it comes to his athletic ceiling.
As mentioned above, Williams had a fumbling problem last year. He fumbled five times (lost three) in the regular season and once more in the playoffs. Los Angeles was 0-4 in those games when he lost a fumble. If you are not providing explosive runs and there are ball security concerns, then there are few ways where you are really contributing to the overall offensive dynamic. Blake Corum could have provided similar production which is further evidence of why a contract extension should wait.
At face value, Williams general numbers improved in 2024. Total rushing yards. Rushing touchdowns. But here’s the rub... Williams saw a decline in the following numbers: Rushing Success Rate, Rushing Yards per Attempt, Receiving Yards, Rushing Yards after Contact per Rush. This was year three for Williams too. Year three is suppose to be a breakout year. It is hard to say that that was the case of the Notre Dame alum. His overall PFF grade was just: 69.1 (slightly above average).
Traditionally, Los Angeles has wanted to rewards its core players with contract extensions. Unfortunately, this has bit them in the butt one too many times. Jared Goff, Todd Gurley, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, and Leonard Floyd are examples. In this case, LA has insurance and they need to leverage that on Kyren. With Blake Corum (in year two) and Jarquez Hunter (rookie) already on the depth chart, they do not need to force a deal just because Williams wants one. The best bet is to let Williams play out his rookie deal and truly...
