Los Angeles Rams defensive end Kobie Turner spoke bluntly of a possible contract extension after the team traded for Myles Garrett.
The Los Angeles Rams entered the offseason with some big questions to answer.
One of which was whether or not they’ll extend their top players from the 2023 draft class. The class features some of their core pieces like Puka Nacua, Steve Avila, and Kobie Turner.
Turner spoke to the media on Monday, addressing the possibility of receiving a contract extension this summer. He offered some insight into where things currently stand between him and the organization.
"It’s an interesting thing to juggle," Turner said. "But for me, at the end of the day, I feel like what a great opportunity I have. If we have the talks and the Rams want to extend me, that’s a great opportunity to set up my family right now and to be able to accomplish a lot of the goals that I’ve had and to be rewarded for the work that I’ve done."
While there was some speculation about whether the Rams would work out extensions for members of their young core this offseason, the blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett appeared to make those discussions far more complicated.
"If the Rams don’t want to extend me just yet, Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Myles Garrett and the rest of this defense that has really gelled together over the course of three years, you can’t ask for a better situation," Turner said.
Before the Garrett trade, it was suggested that it'd be unlikely that the Rams would extend those eligible for offer extensions to those players eligible from their 2023 draft class. After the trade, those odds decreased even more.
Turner has established himself as one of the better defensive ends in the league. The 27-year-old has been solid since he entered the league.
In his three-year career, Turner has 167 total tackles, 24 sacks, 27 tackles for loss, 43 quarterback hits, one interception, and nine passes defended in 51 games and 37 starts.
Turner finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, only behind Pro Bowlers Will Anderson Jr. and Jalen Carter.
While he’s been tremendous in the past, extension or not, the Rams are going to need Turner to be just as good or even better if they want any shot at a Super Bowl title.
The Rams have fallen short of that goal since Turner entered the league. Last season was the closest they’ve come to a title, and if things fall the Rams' way this upcoming season, they’ll certainly be the last team standing when all is said and done.
The Rams and Turner have a long way to go before that happens; however, it appears that they’ll enter the season without that contract extension.
