This could easily be Kyren Williams’ last year with Rams

Enjoy Kyren Williams’ tenure with the Los Angeles Rams because it may not last much longer.

Although Williams inked a three-year deal with the team in August 2025, the Rams are only financially committed to the back through this upcoming season.

LA could easily cut Williams ahead of 2027 and save $10M against the salary cap with only $2.3M of dead money. His deal runs through 2028 but there is only a remote chance he plays a final season under this contract because there is no guaranteed money. The decision effectively becomes another extension or cutting bait to save $10M with zero dead money.

⭐ Natural breaking point: the 2027 offseason is the first year the Rams can move on with minimal dead money (~$10M in savings).

There are several other factors that could sway the Rams to move on from Williams sooner than later:

Blake Corum’s emergence (and cost)

Heading into the 2026 season, Williams is running back 1A and Blake Corum is 1B. The duo is expected to form a two-headed monster.

But Corum is slated to count $1.6M against the cap in 2027. Moving on from Williams would save $10M in net new cap space. If the Rams believe that Corum can take over as the lead back, that really is a no-brainer decision.

Jarquez Hunter’s role moving forward is a complete unknown. He will make no more than $1.5M over the 2027 and 2028 season. If he can show flashes this year, he seems like a decent insurance policy and another reason to move on from Williams.

Re-signing other core players

It’s no secret that the Rams have their hands full with contract extensions on the horizon. They’ll need to decide whether the following players should stick around or look for a payday elsewhere:

• Puka Nacua, WR
• Alaric Jackson, LT
• Warren McClendon, RT
• Steve Avila, iOL
• Kobie Turner, DT
• Byron Young, EDGE
• Colby Parkinson, TE
• Braden Fiske, DT
• Kamren Kinchens, DB

The $50M question

And as daunting as the aforementioned contract dilemmas are, the biggest looming question is the future of Matthew Stafford. LA has prepared for the future by drafting Ty Simpson, and in some ways the transition is necessary because it would be easier to keep the core together if the Rams aren’t paying Stafford in excess of $50M annually.

If considering moving on from Stafford is necessary, saving $10M by cutting a veteran running back is a much easier decision. Williams’ remaining tenure will likely be short-lived in Los Angeles.