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The defensive end position, for the Los Angeles Rams, went from being one of the strongest positions on the team to being a complete question mark in this offseason. Veteran Chris Long was released a few weeks ago, and depth players William Hayes and Eugene Sims were set to test free agency.
The Rams locked up Hayes on the first day of free agency. But it’s been all speculation on Sims. Well, except him reporting it himself on Instagram. Yet there was no word on a deal. That is until Sunday morning, when NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport made it a little more official:
The LA #Rams re-signed DE Eugene Sims on a 3-year deal worth $10M, source said. He gets $3.75M in guarantees, #Rams get solid depth.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2016
The cost-friendly move to retain Sims provides much-needed depth at the position. Sims and Hayes both filled in admirably last season [playing just over 50% of the defense’s snaps], while Long and Robert Quinn tended to injuries. Sims finished his 2015 campaign - having started in 9 games - with 13 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 interception, and 1 fumbleforced/recovered.
In other news, the Sims signing might not be the only one of the day, as the Rams are hosting free agent tight end Zach Miller on Sunday, as well. Stay tuned.