All offseason, Darious Williams looked like the Los Angeles Rams’ most likely cap casualty, given the potential savings for releasing the 32-year-old cornerback. On Saturday, the Rams got some cap relief, but not by cutting him.
Williams announced his retirement from the NFL after eight seasons, winning one Super Bowl with the Rams in 2021. When it comes to the salary cap, his retirement works the same as if the Rams were to release him.
With Williams retiring, Los Angeles will save $7.5 million in cap room this year. His cap hit was slated to be $8.67 million in 2026, but he will now leave behind only $1.17 million in dead money. Therefore, it’s a net savings of $7.5 million.
According to Over The Cap, the Rams entered the day with $27.46 million in cap room, but with Williams’ retirement, they now have $34.96 million in cap room. That includes Trent McDuffie’s contract, but not the extensions Kam Curl and Tyler Higbee are signing.
The Rams signed Williams to a three-year, $22.5 million contract in 2024, so he played out two years of that deal before retiring from the NFL.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: How Darious Williams’ retirement impacts the Rams’ salary cap
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
