As the sun quietly began rising over Los Angeles Friday morning, the Rams faced the formidable task of figuring out a way to keep intact a defense for which key defensive backs Trumaine Johnson and Lamarcus Joyner were on the brink of unrestricted free agency, and All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald sat at the doorstep of a huge pay day from a new long-term contract.
With roughly $50 million to work with under the NFL’s hard salary cap and other areas of need on a young, promising roster, retaining Johnson and Joyner while also hooking up Donald was certainly doable.
Albeit with some creative and clever number crunching, and likely at the expense of releasing or restructuring the contracts of a few veteran players, letting other free agents walk and perhaps leaving some areas of need unaddressed. The dizzying cost of doing business in the NFL can be cruel, tricky and frustrating at times.
That was early morning Friday. By mid morning everything had changed.
And for the better after General Manager Les Snead went all commando again with another aggressive move.
Snead is building quite reputation for stealth maneuvering, and the Rams are much better off for it. Two years ago it was trading up to the top of the draft to grab franchise quarterback Jared Goff. Last year it was the bolt of lightening at the end of training camp when he traded for dynamic wide receiver Sammy Watkins.
And on Friday, he was in the process of reeling in one of the best lock-down pass defenders in the NFL, in a move that makes as much sense on the field as it does on the payroll.
In another blockbuster, the Rams acquired Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Peters, whose 19 interceptions over the past three seasons are the most in the NFL. Peters stands to make just $1.7 million in base salary in 2018, and will be under control for the next two years at a reasonable cost once the Rams pick up his fifth-year option for 2019.
The trade won’t be official until March 14, the official date the NFL trading period for 2018 begins, but sources have confirmed the deal is agreed to and in place.
Just like that, the Rams got younger, better and more financially flexible as they approach an offseason for which improving on last year’s surprising 11-5 finish and closing ground on the elite teams in the NFL is the singular priority.
Boom. What a way to kick off the offseason.
In one move, the Rams changed the entire complexion of their to-do list. From the draft to free agency to financial flexibility, the dynamics are dramatically altered.
Peters will cost the Rams a yet-to-be-disclosed package of draft picks, and it almost certainly means Johnson, their veteran cornerback, will leave via free agency.
And while Peters is an absolute stud, he does come with some baggage. As a junior at the University of Washington in 2014 he was suspended for one game and later dismissed from the team altogether for disciplinary reasons. Last season with the Chiefs he was suspended for a game after reportedly getting into an argument with a coach.
The Rams are counting on the positive environment cultivated by head coach Sean McVay and a strong, veteran locker room creating a nurturing comfort zone from which Peters can grow, mature and prosper. But there’s no guarantee he’ll be a model citizen from here on out. So there is risk.
But the upside is far too great not to take the leap of faith. Peters is a ball-hawking defender who has 55 passes defended since 2015, also an NFL best. And there are reasons to believe he can get better, considering he’ll play under Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips in a scheme that doesn’t just ask a lot from it’s cornerbacks, but also rewards them by pushing them and putting them in position to shine.
Just a pure BALL HAWK.
And joining the @RamsNFL defense.@marcuspeters‘ 2017 highlight reel! pic.twitter.com/09lwQZZifE— NFL (@NFL) February 23, 2018
Peters, who is equally adept at playing man or zone coverage, is a prime candidate to take his game to a higher level under Phillips and behind playmakers like Donald, Michael Brockers and Alec Ogletree.
Aside from the obvious talent, he’s just now hitting his prime and, with two years remaining on a manageable rookie deal, he provides major flexibility. Keep in mind Johnson made $16.7 million last season and undoubtedly is seeking a long-term deal with a yearly salary roughly in that same neighborhood.
Instead of deciding between Johnson and Joyner or paying them upwards to $30 million combined, the Rams can comfortably bring Joyner back either on a long-term contract or the franchise tag while also retaining free agent wide receiver Sammy Watkins and locking up Donald on new deal. It also means outside linebacker Robert Quinn is more likely to return rather than be a salary cap casualty.
It also allows them to peek outside their own building for improvements. The Rams have needs along the defensive line, outside linebacker and tight end, and by getting younger, cheaper (and better) at Johnson’s position they can take a more serious look at help in those areas through free agency.
Yes, there are some red flags. And Peters will absolutely want to get paid soon. Just as Todd Gurley and Jared Goff will, and Donald is about to be. The Rams have a ton of good, young, talented players. And the price tag is rising every day to keep them long term.
But how bad a world do the Rams operate in when their biggest problem is figuring out ways to fit so many great players under the salary cap?
It remains to be seen who Peters will start alongside at cornerback. Veteran Kayvon Webster is recovering from a ruptured achilles tendon and backup Nickell Robey-Coleman is a free agent. But the underrated Troy Hill is expected back, and seems up to the challenge of filling in for Webster if need be to start the season.
Those are issues for another day, though.
When the Rams woke up Friday they faced a ton of free agent questions, a glaring need at cornerback and only so much cap space to go around.
By mid morning they had one of the best shutdown corners in the fold, and more financial flexibility.
It was a good day, to be sure.