This offseason is a big one for the Los Angeles Rams. With two first-round picks, some money, and a few big decisions to make, this offseason could make or break the franchise.
While the futures of Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua might draw the most attention, there’s another player who is up for a new deal that’s just as big an issue for the Rams this offseason. Byron Young is entering the final year of his deal.
He’s likely on his way to a massive deal, and that’s why the prediction from ESPN’s Dan Graziano, for a whopping $145 million over four years, is hardly a surprise. But there’s more insight from Graziano that will be of concern for Rams fans.
Rams get whopping $145M Byron Young prediction from ESPN
“Predictions: Young: Four years, $145 million with $72 million guaranteed at signing,” Graziano predicted.
This kind of deal for Young, a superstar defensive lineman who is coming off a 12-sack season for the Rams in 2025, is not a surprise.
$36.25 million per-year for Young is very expensive, but for the elite pass rushers in the NFL, big money deals like this are worth it.
He’s been one of the more consistent pass rushers the last few years, never having below 7.5 sacks or 61 tackles. Young is 27 years old and will need a new deal.
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Having a good pass rush is a must in the NFL, and while he’s going to be very expensive, the Rams might be better off paying this high price to keep Young in Los Angeles.
They do have some other needs, like Stafford, Nacua, Steve Avila, and Kobie Turner, but Young might be a player they cannot afford to lose.
But, he’s not the only young defensive lineman whom the Rams will need to make a decision on soon. Jared Verse and Braden Fisk will also need to land new deals soon, which might complicate things further for the Rams.
Young is a player to pay attention to for the next year for the Rams, as his future in Los Angeles, thanks to a $145 million projected deal, could force the Rams to make a difficult decision to let him walk this time next year.
