The Los Angeles Rams have managed to take care of business on and off the field so far by signing cornerback Jalen Ramsey and wide receiver Cooper Kupp to long-term extensions leading up to their win over the Dallas Cowboys in the 2020 NFL season opener.
With Ramsey and Kupp locked down, general manager Les Snead can now focus on securing the other key starters playing on expiring contracts. Among the notable players that have been open about getting their due and proper this offseason is wide receiver Robert Woods.
Woods is slated to make just $5 million this year with his contract running through the 2021 campaign. Although there is plenty of speculation regarding how the Rams have managed to keep their lucrative spending going, it appears he has good reason to be optimistic.
Rams head coach Sean McVay revealed he expects Woods to receive a similar deal to that of Kupp’s in the near future, via Gary Klein of the L.A. Times:
“Robert and Cooper have been pillars of what we’ve done the last few years,” McVay told reporters during a videoconference before practice. “And great to get Cooper under contract, so happy for him.
“And you can expect to see something similar down the line here very shortly, we’re working towards for Robert.”
The update from McVay solidifies the Rams’ intonations to give Woods his pay day. Of course, the question remains just when exactly they will be able to get it done. He is hoping it will come soon though so he can focus on the season:
“You find yourself in an elite situation where you’re finally able to do what you’re capable of — and so now it’s time to get paid what I’m capable of being paid,” he said.
“But I do know when to turn off and focus on the game, focus on my job and getting the job done like I did last week,” he said.
Woods has made it clear that he would like to have the long-term security as soon as possible. Although the restrictions placed in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic offered up its own set of challenges for negotiations in the offseason, Snead was able to lock in the financial framework in order to keep foundational pieces around for the long haul.
There is no question that Woods is certainly more than deserving of a new contract after easily outplaying the five-year, $34 million deal he signed in 2017.
He has provided the Rams with plenty of bang for their buck already coming off consecutive 1,000-yard receiving campaigns. It is safe to say that he remains a heavy part of the game plan after hauling in six receptions for 105 yards in the 20-17 victory over the Cowboys.
