The Los Angeles Rams were the highest-scoring offense in the 2017 NFL season. Needless to say, flex back Tavon Austin played a minor role in what was arguably the biggest offensive turnaround in NFL history.
As a result, his departure from Los Angeles has seemingly become an inevitability. However, the Rams will still carry a lucrative price tag on Austin’s future, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk:
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, both components of Austin’s 2018 pay include offsets, meaning that if, for example, he’d get cut before the salary vests, his $5 million roster bonus would be reduced by what he earns elsewhere.
The scenario now raises questions as to whether or not the Rams would be better off keeping Austin around for the 2018 NFL season. Los Angeles would have to pay at least $4 million should they decide to cut him before the March deadline as opposed to the $8 million salary he is set to make next year.
That said, it is still likely that the Rams part ways with Austin in an effort to try and save enough cap room as possible for the offseason. Los Angeles is slated to make All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald one of the highest-paid non-QB’s in the league. Meanwhile, they still have lingering decisions to make on who they will place their franchise tag on as well.
