Grading the Rams first wave of 2025 free agency period: Los Angeles has a good mixture of young players and veterans
The Los Angeles Rams have been quite busy to begin the 2025 offseason. They've done a little bit of everything, such as release some key contributors, sign big-name free agents, keep a few of their own, and make a trade. Every decision that the Rams have made has been geared toward getting back to the Super […]
The Los Angeles Rams have been quite busy to begin the 2025 offseason.
They've done a little bit of everything, such as release some key contributors, sign big-name free agents, keep a few of their own, and make a trade. Every decision that the Rams have made has been geared toward getting back to the Super Bowl to win their second one in five years.
Here are our initial grades and thoughts on each move Los Angeles has made so far…
QB Matthew Stafford reworks contract: A
After a bit of drama, the Rams and Stafford did what was best for the both of them. Even if L.A. actually did consider parting ways with Stafford, this wasn't the offseason to do so. The QB crop in this year's draft is weak, and there were no free agents anywhere close to Stafford's level. He easily gives the Rams their best chance to win in 2025, and Stafford wasn't going to go anywhere with as good of a roster as theirs.
Rams re-sign LT Alaric Jackson: A
This was another no-brainer for L.A. Jackson is in his prime, knows the system, and still isn't even among the top-10 highest paid LTs in the league. His low salary cap hit of $7 million allowed the Rams to spend a little more in 2025.
Rams trade OG Jonah Jackson: B-
The Rams saved about $14.6 million and received a 2025 sixth-round pick by trading Jackson to the Chicago Bears. That money saved helped them to re-sing Alaric Jackson and others, but they losing a quality player who is still just 28-years-old hurts a little.
Rams re-sign WR TuTu Atwell: C+
L.A. is bringing Atwell back on a one-year, $10 million fully guaranteed deal, which is a pretty good chunk of change for a player that only caught 42 passes and zero touchdowns last season. However, with Cooper Kupp now out of the picture, maybe Atwell steps up.
Rams re-sign QB Jimmy Garoppolo: A
As mentioned above, now isn't the time for the Rams to take on a developmental QB. Garoppolo is about as good as it gets for a backup, and his contract is only for one year and $4.5 million.
Rams sign free agent DT Poona Ford: B+
Minus an oddball 2023 season with the Buffalo Bills where he didn't fit in, Ford has had a solid NFL career. He's coming of his best year yet in 2024 with the L.A. Chargers, ranking third among all DTs in the league against the run per Pro Football Focus.
Rams sign free agent WR Davante Adams: B+
The only minor red flag preventing this move from getting an A is Adams' age (32), and $22 million per year is a bit steep. Despite that, Adams should fit in well with the Rams, who needed a true X receiver to complement Puka Nacua and Atwell. Adams is still productive, catching 85 passes for 1,063 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024.
Rams release WR Cooper Kupp: B-
It's unfortunate that it came down to this between L.A. and Kupp. This is not what either side envisioned when Kupp won Offensive Player of the Year in 2021. However, the Rams made the right decision at the end of the day. It's disappointing they weren't able to trade him, and it's a bit puzzling that the chose to pay the unproven Atwell rather than just hanging onto Kupp for one more year.
