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It would probably be a financial struggle for the Los Angeles Rams to sign Corey Linsley this year, but I suppose you can never rule anything out. If the Rams are willing to restructure at least five major contracts, money would be available to do it. If not, there’s still a chance that Linsley will be playing his games in the NFC West for the foreseeable future.
A 6’3, 300 lb center who was a first-team all-pro for the Green Bay Packers in 2020, the 29-year-old Linsley could be one of the most sought after free agents and set new contract records for the position. On Thursday, Linsley indicated to Sirius XM NFL radio that “It looks like all signs point towards snapping the ball somewhere else next year ...”
#Packers C Corey Linsley to @SiriusXMNFL on free agency: “We’re not closing the door on anything. We'd never do that, especially to the Packers. It looks like all signs point towards snapping the ball somewhere else next year. ... If it doesn't work out, I wish them the best.”
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) February 25, 2021
A fifth round draft pick out of Ohio State in 2014, Linsley was a Week 1 starter as a rookie and he’s held that position for the last seven seasons. He has not been a stranger to the injury report however and he missed three games in 2020 with a knee injury.
The Rams could lose starting center Austin Blythe, also a free agent, but he will be considerably more affordable than Linsley and might be the preferred option for that reason. Blythe was close with the recently-departed Aaron Kromer however and that might indicate a change at the position is coming too.
Kromer is one of the best, most genuine coaches I’ve ever had the privilege to work with. I got waived in Indy, and Krome was the one who gave me a shot in this league. I owe a lot of coaches for getting me to this point, but Krome is at the top of the list! https://t.co/xH9bHnGyMO
— Austin Blythe (@ABlythe63) February 19, 2021
The Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks also have needs at center, while the San Francisco 49ers could decide to part with Weston Richburg because of injury and cap reasons. Linsley would have a loose connection with LA, having played for former Sean McVay assistant Matt LaFleur.
He is probably leaving the Packers in some part over money, however, and I assume he will follow that and get a lot of it from one of the teams that has cap space.