Former Jacksonville Jaguars and current Los Angeles Rams defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. was expected to be one of the league’s top free agents this week, however, it appears he’ll be holding off on a long-term deal for now. Per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Fowler will be staying with the Rams through a one-year deal worth $14 million, which is close to the $14.2 million pay day he would’ve received had his fifth-year option been picked up.
Fowler’s willingness to sign a short-term deal probably proves that Dave Caldwell was smart to trade him for a third-round pick because the deal is one that likely wouldn’t have led to a compensatory pick at all. It was almost given that the Jags weren’t going to be able to keep him so they parted ways with him in advance so they’d be guaranteed to get something.
During the Super Bowl, Fowler revealed that he went to the front office to tell them he needed a change, which made the decision easy for both sides. Caldwell then found himself talking to Rams general manager Les Snead about trading the star, in a deal that basically went down to the trade deadline’s closing hours.
As for Fowler, it appears he really likes it with the Rams and one could see why after the season and flashes he had. Once traded, he participated in eight games and started in six regular season games while accumulating 21 tackles and two sacks. The young pass rusher participated in three more postseason games afterward (including Super Bowl LIII) and was able to rack up 13 tackles and 3.5 sacks. The most notable play in that span, of course, was the quarterback hit he put on Drew Brees in the NFC Championship, which led to an interception for the Rams and a game-winning field goal afterward.
