The Los Angeles Rams will have their work cut out keeping their momentum going on the road against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 15 of the 2019 NFL season.
The trip to Dallas presents a bit of a homecoming for defensive tackle Michael Brockers. As a Texas native, he is bound to get a healthy dosage of nostalgia going back home in Week 15.
Of course, there is also the question of Brockers’ looming future in Los Angeles as the front office looks to shore up some space to secure more key pieces in the offseason. Regardless, the veteran is focused on taking things one day at a time.
Brockers knows full well that he will need to continue making a strong impression each week and the rest will take care of itself, via Gary Klein of the L.A. Times:
“The season’s going to be over and your future is kind of unknown,” Brockers said, “so the best thing for me is just to focus on what’s happening now, stay in the present, focus on winning each week and having the same goal. That’s how I’m really getting through it.
“I know it’s a business. I understand teams — sometimes they love a guy but they still have to let him go. That could be the situation.
“Hopefully it’s not. But I’ve been in this business long enough to understand that some tough choices have to be made.”
His selfless play has not gone unnoticed by head coach Sean McVay, who feels the veteran is having his best season in years:
“He’s had one of his best years in the last few because he’s playing as a complete player,” coach Sean McVay said. “He’s rushing better, he’s violent in the run, he’s able to really do a great job of winning his individual matchups.”
Although Brockers’ numbers may be a bit underwhelming, he has long played an integral role as one of the anchors of the defense upfront. He is often relied upon to do the dirty work while the other more high-profile names on defense reap the benefits.
Regardless, Brockers’ has been around long enough to see the writing on the wall and he carries quite a steep price tag at $10.8 million going into the final year of his deal. Meanwhile, the Rams still have a laundry list of players that are up for contract extensions in the offseason on both sides of the ball.
The best thing for Brockers’ future will be to keep his strong play going by helping this team defend its NFC title in the playoffs.
