Los Angeles Rams

The Rams are tight now at $19.4M (rank 15 of 32) but are primed for a massive financial reset, with $96.4M in projected room next year ranking 6th in the league.

26 contracts expiring

Madden Tools Analysis

Six starting spots have weak depth behind the starter.

The roster's top strength is its pass-rush and receiver talent headlined by Garrett, Nacua, and McDuffie, while the weakest spot is right tackle, where a 73-overall starter and no reliable backup above 73 overall creates a notable liability.

• LShigh

  The depth chart lists Joe Cardona as the starter at a 58 overall, flagging this as a high-severity hole that needs to be addressed.

• RTmedium

  Warren McClendon Jr. starts at right tackle at just a 73 overall, with Keagen Trost and A.J. Arcuri as the only backups, making this a medium-priority upgrade target.

• Multiple Zone RunoffensivePassable

  Kyren Williams as the lead back and a capable interior line anchored by Kevin Dotson give the Rams the pieces to sustain a zone-run ground game, even if the scheme grades only as Passable.

• [EA] Base 4-3defensiveGood

  The defensive front four of Myles Garrett, Byron Young, Kobie Turner, and Braden Fiske is built for a base 4-3, earning a Good grade that reflects genuine schematic alignment.

• 73Colby ParkinsonTEColby Parkinson sits third on the TE depth chart behind Terrance Ferguson and Tyler Higbee, and cutting him frees $5.5M against $3.6M in dead money, making him a reasonable salary save.Frees $5.5M · $3.6M dead
• 68David QuessenberryRTDavid Quessenberry is a twilight-aged RT who has slid to third on the LT depth chart behind Alaric Jackson, and releasing him frees $1.3M while carrying only $180K in dead money.Frees $1.3M · $180.0K dead
• 62Keir Thomas IILEDGEKeir Thomas II sits third at LEDGE behind Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart at a 62 overall, and cutting him is a clean move that frees $1.1M with zero dead money.Frees $1.1M · $0 dead
• 65Blake HanceLGBlake Hance is the third-string LG behind Steve Avila and Beaux Limmer at just a 65 overall, and his release frees $1.1M with no dead money hit.Frees $1.1M · $0 dead
• 64Bill MurrayRGBill Murray sits third on the RG depth chart behind Kevin Dotson and Justin Dedich at a 64 overall, and cutting him frees $1.1M with zero dead money.Frees $1.1M · $0 dead

The Los Angeles Rams are built to win now, with Myles Garrett, Puka Nacua, and Trent McDuffie forming a star-laden core that can compete for a championship in the near term. Matthew Stafford at the helm gives the offense an elite conductor, but he is entering the late stage of his career and succession at quarterback must become a priority within the plan. Davante Adams provides a legitimate second receiver option, though he too is well into the back half of his career and cannot be counted on as a long-term piece. The defensive front is genuinely elite, pairing Garrett with Byron Young, Kobie Turner, and Braden Fiske, while Kamren Kinchens at 23 years old gives the secondary a young centerpiece to build around. Cap space sits at $19.4M this season, but next year's projected room balloons to $96.4M (rank 6 of 32), meaning the Rams are one offseason away from major financial flexibility to reinforce any gaps. Cutting dead weight at positions like RT, LG, and backup REDGE can free additional resources now, while the offensive line depth at RT remains the most immediate structural concern heading into Year 1.

The franchise was founded on April 11, 1936, in Cleveland, Ohio, by attorney Homer Marshman (the "Rams" name chosen after the Fordham University Rams). The club spent its first season in the second American Football League, then joined the NFL in 1937. After lean early years, and suspending operations in 1943 due to World War II player shortages, the Cleveland Rams won their first NFL Championship in 1945, beating the Washington Redskins 15-14 in roughly −8°F cold, with rookie quarterback Bob Waterfield named league MVP. Owner Dan Reeves moved the team to Los Angeles in 1946, making the Rams the first major pro sports franchise on the West Coast. In Los Angeles the Rams won the 1951 NFL Championship behind Waterfield, Norm Van Brocklin, and receivers Tom Fears and Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch. The 1960s were defined by the "Fearsome Foursome" defensive line, Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen, Rosey Grier, and Lamar Lundy. The 1970s brought seven straight division titles (1973-1979) and the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance (a 31-19 loss to Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XIV). Eric Dickerson set the still-standing single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards in 1984. After moving to Anaheim (1980) and then St. Louis in 1995, the Rams reached their apex with "The Greatest Show on Turf": Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce, and Torry Holt won Super Bowl XXXIV over the Tennessee Titans (23-16) following the 1999 season, then lost Super Bowl XXXVI to New England (20-17) after the 2001 season. The franchise returned to Los Angeles in 2016. Under Sean McVay (hired 2017) the Rams reached Super Bowl LIII (a 13-3 loss to New England), then won Super Bowl LVI in February 2022 at SoFi Stadium, beating the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20, making the Rams the only NFL franchise to win championships representing three different cities: Cleveland (1945), Los Angeles (1951 and the 2021 season), and St. Louis (1999 season).