The Los Angeles Rams managed to make a splash ahead of the trade deadline with the acquisition of cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Jacksonville Jaguars heading into Week 7.
With the 2019 NFL season hanging in the balance, the Rams decided to usher in some significant changes in order to fill the void left by cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters. They certainly made quite the investment in order to strike a deal by parting ways with two first-round picks and a fourth-rounder.
The price tag is only set to grow bigger with Ramsey on the cusp of receiving a lucrative extension. It seems general manager Les Snead was well aware of what it would take to secure him for the long haul when he made the trade.
Snead addressed the prospect of a timetable for Ramsey’s extension, via Stu Jackson of the team’s official website:
Rams GM Les Snead: "no timeline on that" regarding an extension for CB Jalen Ramsey, who is under contract through 2020.
"We're just meeting Jalen today. (But) he, to date, has earned a chance to probably get a nice contract for the job he does in the position he plays."
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) October 16, 2019
According to ESPN’s J.B. Long, head coach Sean McVay is hoping Ramsey will be able to make his Rams debut versus the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday.
"The goal is to be able to do that."
-Sean McVay on if Jalen Ramsey will be able to play for the #LARams in Week 7 in Atlanta.— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) October 16, 2019
The Rams’ defense was in desperate need of an adjustment following a slow start to the season and the recent rash of key injuries only served to further solidify this notion. They now have an opportunity to essentially start fresh with Ramsey as one of their main building blocks alongside defensive tackle Aaron Donald and safety Eric Weddle.
Although Snead’s comments indicate that an extension could be on the way, Los Angeles must do what they can to ensure that Ramsey is the right fit. Until then, they can potentially opt to pick up his fifth-year option after this season before franchise tagging him for another year.
Regardless, it is safe to assume that Snead intends to make the All-Pro a permanent fixture in this defense as quickly as possible considering what this team has already given up just to get him. While it may have cost them dearly, the Rams can now take solace in the fact that they have one of the NFL’s premier shutdown cornerbacks at their disposal.
Ramsey may have an opportunity to prove his worth as soon as this week if he is able to join the team in Atlanta. He missed the last three games with the Jaguars due to a back injury but is believed to be healthy enough to play.
Los Angeles is set to begin a grueling three-game road trip and will need all the help they can get in order to find a way back into the win column.
