Rams got a steal with Kyren Williams extension

Kyren Williams received his long-awaited extension from the Los Angeles Rams on Aug. 5, on a three-year $33 million deal. The All-Pro deserved the extension from L.A., which turns out might be a steal after what James Cook got from the Bills.

Buffalo reached an agreement with Cook on a four-year $48 million extension, keeping him with Josh Allen and company in Orchard Park through 2029. Cook is just over a year older than Williams, yet received a slightly larger extension despite the Rams rusher being more productive the last two seasons.

Williams (2023-24): 544 attempts for 2,443 yards and 31 total touchdowns in 28 regular season games

Cook (2023-24): 444 attempts for 2,131 yards and 24 total touchdowns in 33 regular season games

The only thing of note that Cook has Williams beat in is fewer lost fumbles. Aside from that, the Bills’ running back was rewarded mightily, even with less production. Again, that is great news for Los Angeles, as they didn’t break the bank to retain Williams. Maybe they have learned from the Todd Gurley situation.

Now, Williams remains one of the NFL’s highest-paid running backs, but he isn’t incredibly high on the list, especially after Cook’s deal. Here are the top 10 highest-paid backs per AAV, total contract value and guaranteed money, according to numbers from OverTheCap:

Highest-paid by AAV

1. Saquon Barkley, Eagles: $20.6 million/year
2. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers: $19 million/year
3. Derrick Henry, Ravens: $15 million/year
4. Jonathan Taylor, Colts: $14 million/year
5. Alvin Kamara, Saints: $12.25 million/year
6. Josh Jacobs, Packers: $12 million/year
7. James Cook, Bills: $12 million/year
8. Kyren Williams, Rams: $11 million/year
9. Aaron Jones, Vikings: $10 million/year
10. Joe Mixon, Texans: $9.875 million/year

Highest-paid by total contract value

1. Josh Jacobs, Packers: $48 million
2. James Cook, Bills: $48 million
3. Jonathan Taylor, Colts: $42 million
4. Saquon Barkley, Eagles: $41.2 million
5. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers: $38 million
6. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots: $36 million
7. Ashton Jeanty, Raiders: $35.9 million
8. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers: $33.2 million
9. Kyren Williams, Rams: $33 million
10. Derrick Henry, Ravens: $30 million

Highest-paid by guaranteed money

1. Saquon Barkley, Eagles: $36 million
2. Ashton Jeanty, Raiders: $35.9 million
3. James Cook, Bills: $30 million
4. Jonathan Taylor, Colts: $26.5 million
5. Derrick Henry, Ravens: $25 million
6. Christian McCaffrey: $24 million
7. Kyren Williams, Rams: $23 million
8. Alvin Kamara, Saints: $22.2 million
9. Bijan Robinson, Falcons: $22.0 million
10. Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions: $17.8 million

The Rams’ front office has won yet again with this deal, and the only hope is for Williams to live up to it. He has far exceeded expectations throughout his first three years in the league. L.A. might call on him and the running game quite often in 2025 to support the offense while the team navigates the ongoing Matthew Stafford situation.