Whenever a team drafts players at a position already occupied by a veteran, it’s natural to assume said veteran is on the proverbial “hot seat.” However, the Los Angeles Rams don’t really have that issue going into 2026.
We’re not talking about Matthew Stafford and first-round rookie quarterback Ty Simpson here. That isn’t even close to a hot-seat situation after the Rams extended Stafford this offseason.
The potential hot seat is that of tight end Tyler Higbee. Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame named Higbee as one of the top veterans who could be on the hot seat this summer after the Rams spent a second consecutive Day 2 pick on a tight end. L.A. drafted Terrence Ferguson in the second round in 2025 before drafting Ohio State’s Max Klare in the second round in 2026.
Looking at the cap sheet, Ferguson and Klare are signed for three and four more years, respectively. Parkinson and Allen are free agents after 2026, but Allen is the best blocker of the group, and Parkinson had 408 yards and eight touchdowns last year, and he’s 27. Conversely, Higbee is age 33 and has played 13 games over the past two seasons. Although he was given a two-year deal this winter, the Rams could net a Day 3 pick for him while eating only $2.1 million in dead cap while saving $2.9 million.
That last part about the money is the most important in the assessment. If the Rams didn’t want to keep Higbee on the roster, they wouldn’t have re-signed him. He played second fiddle to Parkinson in 2025 after dealing with injuries and is likely more of a veteran presence for the rest of the room than a true contributor on offense. That’s worth the money they’re paying Higbee, even in a crowded room.
Keeping Higbee is all about long-term stability at the position, too. He can help Ferguson and Klare develop faster in 2026 and in 2027 if both Parkinson and Davis leave after this season. Again, that’s worth the money.
In this case, it’s not about Higbee’s seat being “hot” or not. His seat is just a very different role. He also provides some continuity on offense for Matthew Stafford in what is expected to be the waning years of the veteran quarterback’s career.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Analyst makes puzzling pick for Rams veteran who could be on hot seat
Reporting by Oliver G., Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
