:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59032833/usa_today_9674387.0.jpg)
Following the press conference held by the Los Angeles Rams to announce they had finalized their trade for CB Marcus Peters with the Kansas City Chiefs as well as a trade for CB Aqib Talib from the Denver Broncos, General Manager Les Snead talked to media in attendance to update contractual negotiations with a couple of players.
DL Aaron Donald
Sounds like there’s a “timeline” in place to negotiate a contract extension for arguably the best player in the NFL. Not sure what the hell that even means. Here’s your timeline. About a year from now, he’s scheduled to become a free agent. So you have a year unless you want to franchise him and piss him off and risk not signing, again, arguably the best player in the NFL.
Rams GM Les Snead had "productive talks" with Aaron Donald's representatives at the combine, he said. They agreed on a timeline to potentially get an extension done.
— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) March 14, 2018
Snead said the Rams had “productive” talks with Aaron Donald’s representatives at the combine. “We’ve got a nice timeline to work on.... We'll go to work and try to hammer that thing out.” @CVRamsClub @DowntownRams
— Joe Curley (@vcsjoecurley) March 14, 2018
Pay the man.
C John Sullivan
OLB Connor Barwin
Talks are still underway...
Les Snead said Rams are still talking with agents for John Sullivan and Connor Barwin.
— Rich Hammond (@Rich_Hammond) March 14, 2018
Skepticism here would be fair. When we last heard about the Rams trying to re-sign one of their own guys on an expiring deal, it was that they were “actively” or “aggressively” trying to re-sign WR Sammy Watkins. That’s a pretty empty phrase in the first place made more empty by the fact Watkins signed a major three-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs today. Perhaps they were more active and aggressive.
WR Tavon Austin
Sigh.
Asked about Tavon Austin, Snead said, “Check back tomorrow.” Said Rams have been in communication with Tavon’s agent.
— Rich Hammond (@Rich_Hammond) March 14, 2018
Austin, of course, is under contract. Rams have thought about bringing him back, with a paycut.
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) March 14, 2018
Snead's quote was, "We're in talks with Tavon. It could go a few ways." Presumably, the top two ways are an outright release or a restructure, and I have no idea what the financial implications of the latter would be right now.
— Rich Hammond (@Rich_Hammond) March 15, 2018
Oh joy.
LB Cory Littleton
CB Troy Hill
Les Snead specifically mentioned Cory Littleton as a young player they’re expecting to step up on defense. Sounds like he’s a major part of their plans at inside linebacker.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) March 14, 2018
Snead also seemed to insinuate that if the Rams had to go into the season with Troy Hill as a starter at cornerback, they would have been a lot more comfortable with that situation than you might think. @CVRamsClub @DowntownRams
— Joe Curley (@vcsjoecurley) March 14, 2018
Both players filled in well in limited time in 2017.
CB Kayvon Webster
#LARams GM Les Snead says CB Kayvon Webster may not be back in time for training camp as he recovers from his injured achilles. Webster tells me, he’s “getting better day by day.”
— Omar Ruiz (@OmarDRuiz) March 15, 2018