Pro Football Rumors
Kyren Williams and the Rams have discussed an extension this offseason, and plenty of time remains for a deal to be struck before Week 1. If/when a second contract is in hand for the fourth-year running back, though, it should not be expected to move him to the top of the market.
Los Angeles’ regime led by general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay authorized a big-ticket RB deal in the case of Todd Gurley in 2018. That 57.5MM pact proved to be a mistake given the injury issues and decline in play which resulted in Gurley’s release two years later and eventual retirement after a brief NFL career. A similar investment in Williams is unlikely.
As Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic writes (subscription required), the Rams will not reset the market on a running back contract. Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey and Derrick Henry are attached to deals averaging $15MM or more entering 2025. Reaching that price point should not be necessary to keep Williams in place beyond the coming season – something the 24-year-old anticipates – but a notable raise will nevertheless be in store.
Both sides have expressed optimism that an agreement will be reached at some point this offseason. McVay said in May that progress had been made since extension talks began, and Wyatt Miller of the team’s website notes Williams was a full participant during spring practices. That is an encouraging sign team and player will manage to avoid a 2026 free agent departure. It would come as little surprise if a deal were to be struck during or just before training camp, which begins later this month.
Williams earned a Pro Bowl nod and a spot on the second All-Pro team in 2023 after leading the NFL with over 95 rushing yards per game on average. The former fifth-rounder saw a notable uptick in usage last season (from 228 to 316 carries), and he managed a career-best 1,299 rushing yards and 16 total touchdowns. A drop in efficiency – along with fumbles – will no doubt hurt Williams’ value on a new deal, but he could still find himself joining the seven running backs currently averaging eight figures annually on their respective deals. It will be interesting to see if ongoing negotiations produce an agreement in time for training camp.
