This offseason has not been a fun one for the Los Angeles Rams as they have parted with a number of key veterans to get their salary cap in order.
The Rams have either released or no re-signed key members of their defense such as Bobby Wagner, Leonard Floyd and Nick Scott. They also traded star cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins.
It may not stop there as other defensive players like Greg Gaines, A’Shawn Robinson, Taylor Rapp and Troy Hill are also free agents and likely won’t be back.
Gaines is the first of that bunch to find a new home as he is reportedly signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network:
Former #Rams DT Greg Gaines agreed to terms with the #Bucs, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 18, 2023
Gaines was a nice find for the Rams in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Washington. Although he never put up big stats, he was the run stuffer in the middle of the Rams’ defense alongside Aaron Donald for a nucleus that won a lot of games over the last four seasons.
In 59 career games for the Rams (25 starts), Gaines had 122 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. He now joins a Buccaneers defensive line that includes Vita Vea and Shaq Barrett.
A’Shawn Robinson set to visit New York Giants
While Gaines is now officially out the door, Robinson could soon be joining him as he is set to take a free agency visit with the New York Giants this upcoming week. Robinson is expected to command a bigger contract than Gaines so will surely be out of the Rams’ price range.
Without both Gaines and Robinson, the Rams will be relying on young players alongside Donald up front in 2023. It’s possible they bring in a veteran free agent for cheap, but L.A. will also likely address the defensive tackle position in the upcoming draft.
