Considering the Los Angeles Rams have multiple contract extensions awaiting, chief operating officer Tony Pastoors indicated the team is open to discussing new deals at any time.
The Los Angeles Rams are currently in an all-in type of situation, which could put pressure on the team down the line. Wide receiver Puka Nacua, defenders Kobie Turner and Byron Young, and lineman Steve Avila are extension-worthy.
It just depends on whether and when those deals will be hammered out. That said, Rams chief operating officer Tony Pastoors has indicated the team is open to discussing deals at any time.
This does not mean that a deal will be struck earlier than it has to, and the function of the front office is to ensure that extensions make sense for both the player and the team when they are done.
Pastoors discussed the mega deal that Seattle Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba received, and how it was a bit abnormal due to the timing of it. While the biggest conversation is Nacua potentially getting an early extension, he may also be franchise tagged.
During the owners' meetings, Pastoors broke down the idea that the Rams team will always discuss deals at any time no matter what, but those deals have to make sense.
"I mean traditionally, we do most those around training camp and whatnot, right? This time of the year, it's not abnormal, but it is – I think (Los Angeles Times reporter) Gary (Klein) mentioned it, right? JSN (Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba) coming that quick, is probably, from a league perspective, a little abnormal. I think we're happy to talk to anybody at any time, but ultimately, it's got to make sense and work into the calculus today and over the next few years," Pastoors said.
There is a strong chance the Rams will look at the listed players and work through those deals at the right time. Nacua might have to wait a little longer, especially due to the off-field issues he has run into.
Turner, Avila, and Young may find some extension talks happening this offseason or possibly next offseason. Either way, they are all core players that will likely remain with the Rams for multiple years.
Putting together contract extensions can take some time, especially if teams have the option to either pick up the fifth-year option or use the franchise tag to give more time for the multi-year deals to be put together.
Those options also give the Rams the chance to see if the performances of each player hold up, and they deserve a long-term deal.
The team must also protect itself, hence the situation that Nacua has found himself in. The Rams may have been working towards giving him a rightful extension, similar to the one Smith-Njigba received.
Now, they can wait out a little longer to see if Nacua's stint in rehab can help him get over the off-field issues he is currently dealing with.