The Los Angeles Rams will report to training camp on June 22, and there is some question about whether or not they will have found a resolution to the lingering matter of Kyren Williams’ contract.
Williams, the No. 164 overall pick of the 2022 draft and a Pro Bowler in 2023, is coming off his second straight 1,000-yard season.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton believes Williams’ next deal could average $16 million annually.
“As quarterback Matthew Stafford ages, Williams becomes more valuable to the Rams offense. In 2023, his first year as a starter, he made the NFC Pro Bowl roster, rushing for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns. He topped those numbers last season, racking up 1,299 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground,” Moton wrote on June 21. “The fourth-year running back should get at least $16 million annually on a new deal.”
Moton’s prediction would be a significant pay raise for Williams. Williams is on an expiring four-year, $3.9 million contract. He would be the third-highest-paid back in terms of annual salary, per Over The Cap.
Moton pointed to comments from Rams head coach Sean McVay as a sign of optimism about Williams landing an extension.
Rams Optimistic But In No Rush on Kyren Williams Extension
GettyLos Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and Kyren Williams #23 celebrate after beating the Seattle Seahawks.
McVay said that Williams and the Rams were essentially in the same spot, needing to get a deal done, but he was optimistic about one getting done at some point.
“Behind the scenes, I think there’s been really good dialogue from Drew [Rosenhaus], really good dialogue from Kyren, and just his group overall. He’s done everything in his power to show up, be that pro, that leader – everything that we’ve asked. And so, we’re trying to be able to solve that. And if we’re able to land that, we’ll be excited about that,” McVay told reporters on June 17. “Now, whether that occurs or not, we’ll see.
“We’ll take that a day at a time and a conversation at a time.”
Rams general manager Les Snead allowed for plenty of leeway with Williams’ looming extension.
“Kyren’s a great human, we all want this to work out, it’s just, can we agree upon a contract where we both feel like (it) is a win-win moving forward,” Snead said, per TheRams.com’s Stu Jackson in March. “And if it doesn’t happen this year, it doesn’t mean that Kyren’s not going to be a part (of the Rams) next year. It doesn’t mean we don’t do something a year from now.”
Kyren Williams’ Comments Could Prove Costly for LA
GettyKyren Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC Divisional Playoff.
If the Rams do allow Williams’ situation to linger into next offseason, it could cost them a lot more money.
“I don’t feel like I’ve touched my peak yet,” Williams told RG.org’s DJ Siddiqi in comments from May. “However that looks, whether that’s pass blocking, catching the ball, breaking long runs, converting first downs, do everything I can to make sure that I’m the best I can be consistently this year.”
Williams ranks fourth in combined touches and ninth in total yards from scrimmage over the past two seasons, per Stathead. In addition to his work on the ground, he posted a 66-388-5 line as a receiving threat out of the backfield.
He faces a new challenger for touches in rookie fourth-round draft pick Jarquez Hunter.
However, additional help with the workload could help Williams be more efficient in the Rams’ offense.
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