While the move to re-sign Dante Fowler Jr. may have been surprising to some, it appears to have been a point of emphasis for the Los Angeles Rams this offseason.
The Rams made the acquisition for Fowler during the 2018 NFL season in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and a fifth-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. Despite his slow start in Los Angeles, he eventually emerged as a big-time playmaker for this defense down the stretch.
Many assumed the Rams would have trouble bidding with other teams for a pass-rusher of Fowler’s caliber. Fortunately, they were able to get him to stick around for another year.
Snead indicated that Los Angeles had always hoped his stint with the team would stretch beyond just one season, via the team’s official website:
“From the beginning we wanted [OLB] Dante Fowler to be back,” Snead said of the former No. 3 overall pick who agreed to terms late Sunday night. “So obviously you are monitoring who might be available, things like that in both free agency, trades, and even the draft, but Dante was a priority for us to try to get back for the 2019 season at minimum.”
McVay added that he envisions Fowler being one of the guys that can take pressure off Aaron Donald.
“I think when you look at what Aaron has been able to do then you add an element of what Dante is able to provide, specifically coming off the edge for us — you can’t have enough guys that can influence and affect the passer,” McVay said.
“So I think he made a lot of plays, I think he’s only going to get better and I think this is a place where he wanted to be and we wanted him here and we are excited about continuing that relationship.”
There is certainly plenty of truth to McVay’s comments. Although Fowler enjoyed modest production during the regular season, he emerged as a star player in the postseason with a number of clutch performances.
It is no secret that the Rams had some trouble generating consistent pressure outside of Aaron Donald. They are hoping for an even bigger year from Fowler in the 2019 NFL season.
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