The Los Angeles Rams 2024 free agent class was forgettable to say the least. While they got solid contributions from safety Kam Curl and even backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to an extent, Jonah Jackson and Colby Parkinson didn’t work out as planned. Jackson was traded for a sixth-round pick, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Rams moved on from Parkinson as well.
For the first time in a while, the Rams had the means to spend last offseason. The Chicago Bears took on Jackson’s full contract, meaning there will be no dead cap penalty. With that said, the Bears’ willingness to take on Jackson’s full contract directly reflects the state of this year’s free agent class.
Maybe thats a sign of how bad free agency is because the Bears just took on a major salary dump. Rams should be doing cartwheels right now.
— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) March 4, 2025
The Bears continued this on Wednesday when they traded for Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney and also took on the entirety of his salary. It’s not often that teams willingly take on that much salary if they don’t have to. The Bears had the cap space and they did it not just once but twice. Instead of waiting for free agency to sign a wide receiver, the Washington Commanders traded for Deebo Samuel, taking on his full salary. Additionally, the Houston Texans traded for wide receiver Christian Kirk and also took on the entirety of his salary. Those moves make sense as this year’s free agent class of wide receivers is considered to be a weaker group.
When it comes to NFL free agency, the idea is usually better than reality. That’s especially the case heading into the 2025 free agency window. There’s always risk in free agency, but that is especially the case this year. With Tee Higgins receiving the franchise tag and the Cowboys extending Osa Odighizuwa, two of the biggest free agent targets are already unavailable.
Rams getting out of everything they owe Jonah Jackson in 2025 *and* landing a Day 3 pick!
League is telling us teams do not like this free agent class.
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) March 4, 2025
Only two free agents getting the franchise tag is an indication of how weak the overall free agent class is. That’s the lowest number of franchise tags since 2006. As Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio stated,
“The truth is that this year’s class is more meh than magnetic. There’s a reason for it. Teams have learned to get deals done with their best players well before they can sniff the open market…In many cases, a team’s willingness to let a player become a free agent is a red flag.”
This is a year in which it makes even more sense for teams to bring back internal free agents. That’s not to say that there won’t be any quality options available, but this is a weaker free agent class and the Rams need to be smart about spending. As it currently stands, the only big contract that the front office has on the books over the next year is Matthew Stafford’s. Cooper Kupp’s could be included as well, but by next week he likely will no longer be on the roster. However, that doesn’t mean that the Rams should spend irresponsibly and end up with several bad contracts on the books.
Jeff Howe of The Athletic noted,
“Teams who have disproportionate advantages in cap space over the competition and motivation to use it, there had to be some frustration with the franchise tag window…There are good players, but they’re likely about to get paid to be great players. In a year when rebuilders are ready to write some hefty checks to get back in the mix, they’ve got to spend wisely or else the holes they’re in could deepen further.”
The top free agent cornerback available is 5’9 and will be 29 in November. That player is DJ Reed. The top edge rushers are Josh Sweat, who ranked 60th in pressures last year, a 34-year old Khalil Mack, and Haason Reddick coming off of an extremely unproductive holdout. The top linebacker, Dre Greenlaw, is 34 snaps removed from a torn Achilles and will be 28 at the start of next season. After tearing his Achilles, Greenlaw was placed on injured reserve with a calf injury.
In a weak free agent class, it may be better to sit back and wait while other teams overspend and then find a better value player in that second-tier. Again, there will be options available. At this time last year, nobody projected Zack Baun to be one of the best free agent signings. Sitting back and being patient with the market might be the best way to approach the 2025 free agency period with the lack of top options.
While the Rams have money, the worst thing they can do is pay an average player to be great with a high, multi-year commitment. Build through the draft and complement the roster in free agency. When it comes to this free agent class in particular, the Rams and general manager Les Snead need to be smart about their spending.
