It’s been a busy offseason for the Los Angeles Rams in 2020, as is the case each year for this organization. However, rather than being aggressive like they have in recent years, the Rams were more conservative and quiet this offseason.
Their moves were more about departures and re-signings than they were high-profile additions and trades. The result is a different looking roster than the one that closed out the 2019 season, and still several questions left to answer.
There were a handful of smart moves made by the Rams, which we highlight here.
Re-signing Andrew Whitworth
This was really the Rams’ first major move of the offseason, and it was one that seemingly everyone expected to happen. From the start, Les Snead and Sean McVay made it clear they wanted Whitworth back – and Whitworth reciprocated the feeling with his comments.
Whitworth’s contract looks like a costly one, since it’s worth up to $30 million across three years, but it’s effectively a one-year, $12.5 million deal that the Rams can get out of next offseason if they want to. They kept his cap hit to just $6.67 million in 2020, which was important, allowing them some cap flexibility.
Whitworth may be on the decline, but a down year for him is still better than what they would’ve gotten out of anyone else currently on their roster playing left tackle. He was by far the team’s best offensive lineman in 2019, and has been for three years.
Drafting Terrell Lewis and Terrell Burgess in Round 3
Both of these players were great values in the third round, coming at picks 84 and 104, respectively. Each prospect slid in the draft for their own reasons, with Burgess’ inexperience hurting his stock and Lewis’ injury history pushing him out of the first two rounds.
For the Rams, they may have gotten two of the steals of the draft as both players should contribute right away as rookies. Lewis can help fill the void left by Dante Fowler Jr., while Burgess has already been mentioned as a candidate to start at nickel corner.
Yes, there is some risk that comes with taking each of these players, but the reward could very well outweigh the gambles Los Angeles took. Expect to see plenty of the Terrells in 2020 at SoFi Stadium.
Signing A’Shawn Robinson
This move was made before the Rams re-signed Michael Brockers, but the return of No. 90 doesn’t take away from the value that Robinson brings. He will help bolster a defensive line that’s expected to cover up the Rams’ holes at linebacker, playing alongside Aaron Donald and Brockers.
Robinson can play nose tackle or defensive end, but he’ll probably play more of the former now that Brockers is back. But his position versatility, along with the flexibility that Brockers also possesses, gives the Rams a lot of options up front – and that’s without even mentioning Sebastian Joseph-Day or Greg Gaines.
Robinson will need to play more like the way he did in 2018 than he did last year in order for this work out favorably for Los Angeles. In a new scheme, though, it should afford Robinson the chance to make a big impact against the run.
Bringing back Austin Blythe
This wasn’t viewed as a huge move for the Rams, but it was an important one. Re-signing Blythe to a one-year deal worth $3.9 million was wise by the Rams, keeping around a player who has experience playing guard and center in their scheme.
He’s not the best offensive lineman on the team, but he does bring value thanks to his versatility and experience. And he was pretty darn good in 2018 at guard next to Rob Havenstein and John Sullivan.
With the money he’s making, Blythe should be a starter for the Rams in 2020 – though his position is still to be determined.
Hiring Kevin O’Connell as new OC
Sean McVay has acted as the offensive coordinator since being hired in 2017, but this offseason, he recognized the benefits of having a designated OC on the staff. He hired O’Connell away from the Redskins, bringing yet another bright offensive mind to the Rams.
O’Connell will help develop the quarterbacks, too, while assisting McVay with game planning throughout the week and decision making on game days. There’s really no downside to McVay hiring O’Connell, as it’ll help take pressure off himself to do everything as a head coach.
McVay has expressed a desire to be more involved on defense, which he’ll be able to do now that O’Connell will be there to work with the offense. It’s a win-win for McVay and O’Connell.
Cutting Todd Gurley
This was a difficult decision, but looking back, it was also the right one. Gurley’s knee has already been called into question by his new offensive coordinator in Atlanta, with Dirk Koetter saying the running back’s health is relatively unknown right know because he still hasn’t passed a physical.
Gurley was constantly asked last season about his knee, which visibly irked the two-time All-Pro. McVay was asked the same questions, as were other Rams players such as Jared Goff. Clearly the team didn’t think he was 100% healthy, given the limited workload Gurley was given.
By cutting him, the Rams incurred more than $20 million in dead money, though they’re able to spread it out over two years thanks to the post-June 1 designation. They’ll also save $5.5 million this offseason, which will help.
The Rams no longer have to answer questions about his knee or why he isn’t getting more touches. And it’s not as if he was particularly effective last year, looking like a different player than the one we saw the previous two years.
