The Los Angeles Rams will be very fortunate this offseason. The team only has 19 impending free agents, and only a few are crucial starters for this season.
Les Snead and Sean McVay will, therefore, have some interesting decisions to make this offseason as to what to do with their salary cap heading into the 2026 season. Not only because of how they will be allocating their money, but also because of the impending contract negotiations for some of their young stars like Puka Nacua, Kobie Turner and Byron Young — all of whom will be eligible for new deals after 2025.
Of that group of 19, the Rams’ biggest impending free agent is starting 27-year-old safety Quentin Lake. He’s played 100% of the Rams’ defensive snaps this season and is a critical part of Chris Shula’s secondary. There were rumors that the Rams would extend him before the 2025 season, but no deal manifested and he’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent if the team and player don’t agree to a new deal before the league year ends.
Lake might be a coveted asset in free agency, too. ESPN ranked Lake as the 24th-most valuable player who could hit the open market in 2026.
ESPN analyst Matt Bowen called Lake “an interchangeable safety” who “brings both versatility and ball disruption to the field.” ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler added that “multiple executives consulted on the position considered Lake the most versatile of the bunch.” Fowler also noted that the Rams “have interest in extending Lake but have also shown a penchant for letting key defensive players on the back seven walk.”
The contract for Lake might be tricky, given his position. He’s only making $3.4 million this season, and Spotrac predicts his market value to be around $12 million a season. Similar contracts include the three-year, $45 million deal the New York Giants gave Jevon Holland this past offseason.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Rams let Lake go, especially if they like what they’re seeing from other guys in the secondary, like Jaylen McCollough or even newcomer Roger McCreary. This will be one of the contract negotiations Rams fans should monitor.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams defensive starter named top impending free agent for 2026
Reporting by Tyler Greenawalt, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
