On Monday, the Los Angeles Chargers and star safety Derwin James agreed to a three-year, $75.6 million extension that makes him the highest-paid safety for the second time in his career. With the new deal, James has reset the safety market, and at the same time, virtually assured that the secondary for the Los Angeles Rams will struggle to remain intact.
The Rams are already walking into a situation where there are depth concerns. However, the Rams are known for developing undrafted talent, thus training camp might reveal a new face to the group. That face could be on pace to be a starter in a few years as the current contract situation for the Rams could lead to issues.
After adding Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, while handing out a raise for Kam Curl, the Rams enter 2026 with one of the best secondaries in football. With that money comes a cost. The Rams already gave Matthew Stafford a big extension, but it’s the deals that will follow that will put the Rams in a peculiar financial situation.
Davante Adams and Puka Nacua are up for new deals. So is Kobie Turner and Byron Young. These players will likely demand annual deals of at least $18 million per season each. Four out of the five starting offensive linemen are up for new deals,as well.
Kam Kinchens and Tank McCollough are two players who are due to get paid next offseason as their deals are set to run out over the next 24 months. Both play a massive role in Chris Shula’s scheme. Kinchens plays nearly every snap, operating in a variety of roles, exchanging responsibilities with Curl.
McCollough is the key piece of Shula’s dime defense and is one of the more fearless and physical defensive backs in football.
This is an important note becayse with the new perception revolving around safeties and defensive backs in general, their value in increasing around the league, even if they play in more specialized roles, in the case of McCollough. The Rams cannot afford to lose both as they tie the entire operation of the secondary together.
Considering the franchise’s love for Kobie Turner, this is likely to come down to the secondary versus Byron Young and who the front office chooses to invest in. In the same breath, Shula is a top head coaching candidate. If the Rams don’t re-sign them, it wouldn’t be shocking to see them leave with Shula in a few years. Regardless, James’ new deal has put the front office in a bit of a financial predicament.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: How Derwin James’ contract could have long-term impact on Rams secondary
Reporting by Brock Vierra, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
