The Los Angeles Rams reportedly have superstar cornerback Jalen Ramsey available on the trade market, and it seems the team’s asking price for the six-time Pro Bowler is steep.
The Rams had a shockingly disappointing season in 2022. One of the league’s most expensive rosters fell apart as the year played out, and the team quickly went from a Super Bowl contender to a franchise headed to its worst season in seven years.
It was a shocking fall from grace for the defending Super Bowl champions, but what makes it all the worse is that the organization entered the offseason with a bloated payroll and little flexibility to make moves in NFL free agency. Understanding the limits they have, especially since they don’t have a first-round draft pick in 2023, the Los Angeles Rams recently started making moves to free up some cap space.
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The most notable of which came last week when they cut Bobby Wagner after one very productive season for the team. The next big salary cap domino to fall could be a long-rumored trade of three-time All-Pro Jalen Ramsey.
On Friday, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport gave an update on the situation during an appearance on the network’s NFL Combine broadcast, and it seems the asking price for the future Hall-of-Famer that is still in his prime is quite high for a cornerback. Even an elite one.
- Jalen Ramsey stats (2022): 88 tackles, 4 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles
“The Los Angeles Rams have had conversations over the course of the last couple of weeks, as they look to maybe trim some payroll and reallocate some resources. I know they’ve had some interest in Jalen Ramsey. We’ll see if he ends up getting traded but as far as what the price could look like, it might even be a first-rounder. Certainly, something that the Los Angeles Rams would at least consider. It is going to play out prior to free agency.”
– Ian Rapoport
Jalen Ramsey has three years and $47 million left on his Los Angeles Rams contract. There is an out clause in the deal after next season (via Spotrac). There have also been some rumblings that a team that trades for him may also need to give him a new long-term extension to complete the deal.