The Los Angeles Rams accomplished one of their biggest goals when they agreed to a contract extension with Kyren Williams earlier this week.
The 24-year-old’s new deal will begin in 2026 and run through the 2028 season. He will reportedly receive $33 million ($23 million guaranteed) over the next three years to remain as the Rams’ lead running back.
Negotiations took longer than expected, but Williams did not hold out and expressed confidence that a deal would eventually get done. He is now the seventh-highest paid running back in the league behind Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, Derrick Henry, Jonathan Taylor, Alvin Kamara and Josh Jacobs.
Williams credited Rams head coach Sean McVay for always believing in him and keeping him in the right mindset during difficult times, via Wyatt Miller of TheRams.com:
“He’s always instilled that confidence in me that I was going to continue to be the player that I hope to be,” Williams said, “and he’s done that since… I broke my foot (in 2022 OTAs). I remember him texting me in that hotel room telling me that I’m going to be okay, I’m going to be better. I just remember sitting in that bed, and I started crying because this means so much to me.”
Williams’ new contract makes sense for both sides as he got paid what he deserves while not resetting the running back market and making the Rams pay top dollar.
Over the last two years, Williams has rushed for at least 1,100 yards per season and has scored a total of 31 touchdowns, which is among the league leaders since he took over as the Rams’ starter.
Williams will once again be the Rams’ workhorse in 2025, but they have excellent depth behind him with Blake Corum and Jarquez Hunter also expected to get their fair share of touches.
Williams could be poised for a career year if he stays healthy, especially after spending the offseason focusing on his ball security and explosiveness.
Kyren Williams worked his ‘whole life’ to earn contract extension
Speaking for the first time since agreeing to his contract extension, Kyren Williams said he has worked his whole life for this moment.
“This whole day is kind of surreal,” he said. “I’ll never forget this day, but this is the day that I kind of worked for my whole life. I knew I was going to be here. I didn’t know when. I didn’t know how. I didn’t know what the outcome was going to be, but I’m here. And so I just want to say thank you to everybody that played a part in making it happen.”
