Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead will have his work cut out for him this offseason trying to maintain this star-studded roster for the 2019 NFL season.
There are a number of key players set to become free agents this offseason. However, it appears they will sit back and see how the market plays out before making their decision.
The Rams decided to go ahead and slap the franchise tag on Lamarcus Joyner last year. It appears that will not be the case for any player this offseason.
According to Rich Hammond of The Athletic, Snead does not plan on using the franchise tag:
Snead said the Rams “definitely” do not plan on using the franchise tag as of now.
The decision certainly makes sense for Los Angeles. There were three players eligible for the franchise tag this offseason which were Dante Fowler Jr., Rodger Saffold, and Joyner.
Although each player had been a bonafide starter and played an integral role in the team’s success, it is difficult to justify paying such a lucrative price for any of them. Joyner’s price would increase after being tagged last year. Meanwhile, the Rams would also like to avoid overpaying Saffold or Fowler.
As a result, each player is set to hit the market as a free agent. Los Angeles has already indicated that Joyner and Fowler could potentially be on their way out this offseason, but things are looking a bit more optimistic for Saffold.
Saffold is the longest-tenured member of the Rams and is perhaps the most deserving of finishing out his career in Los Angeles. If the Rams can come to an agreement with Saffold, they can take solace in the fact that they will have the left side of their offensive line intact for another year now that Andrew Whitworth announced his return.
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