Pro Football Rumors
The Rams have a number of 2023 draftees who became extension-eligible for the first time this offseason. That list is headlined by superstar wideout Puka Nacua and includes other key members of a loaded roster such as DE Kobie Turner, OLB Byron Young, and OLs Steve Avila and Warren McClendon.
None of those players were first-round picks, meaning they cannot be controlled through 2027 via the fifth-year option and are therefore entering contract years. However, reports of extension talks have been limited, and ESPN’s Sarah Barshop says the Rams seem prepared to keep their focus on the upcoming season and not on contract negotiations with their impending free agents.
There have been no public reports about a possible extension for Turner or Young. While Avila has expressed a desire to remain in Los Angeles for the long haul, and though head coach Sean McVay said Avila is a player the team has a “strong interest in continuing our journey with,” it is unclear whether discussions have taken place. A February report indicated the Rams were “eyeing” a McClendon extension, but again, nothing concrete has materialized on that front (at least publicly).
Given Nacua’s remarkable three-year run to begin his pro career, a December report suggesting the Rams viewed a Nacua re-up as an offseason priority came as no surprise. There are several possible wrinkles there, including a civil lawsuit in which the plaintiff accuses Nacua of biting her twice on the shoulder and making an antisemitic remark. Before those allegations surfaced, Nacua had already checked into a luxury rehab facility to focus on “personal growth.” The facility specializes in helping patients battling drug and alcohol addiction, chronic pain, and mental health issues.
Nacua subsequently returned to normal team activities as a full participant, but as with his fellow ‘23 draftmates, it is unclear where negotiations stand right now, if they have started at all. A report from last month did not shed any light on that, though it did predict Nacua will land a market-topping deal at some point.
The Rams have pushed their chips to the middle of the table by swinging massive trades for Trent McDuffie and Myles Garrett this offseason, part of their effort to secure another Super Bowl championship in the twilight of quarterback Matthew Stafford’s career. While the 38-year-old passer just won his first MVP award and would consider playing into his 40s, he acknowledges he is taking a year-to-year approach, and his latest contract is designed for him to retire or be released during the 2028 offseason.
That reality could also be informing the Rams’ extension plans to some degree (the team’s long-term faith in rookie QB Ty Simpson notwithstanding). Earlier this year, however, COO Tony Pastoors reminded Stu Jackson of the Rams’ official website that Los Angeles prefers to finalize extensions in training camp or the preseason. So while there is not much chatter in that regard now, that could certainly change in the coming weeks.
