Kamren Curl
Getty
One Los Angeles Rams' veteran has been listed as a trade candidate.
The Los Angeles Rams are heading into what could be a pivotal 2025 NFL season with a talented roster and fresh expectations. But before the team can finalize its plans for a return to the playoffs, some tough decisions loom. It’s never easy to say goodbye to established veterans, especially those who arrived with high hopes of bolstering the defense.
While the Rams are no longer the ultra-aggressive traders they were during the Super Bowl LVI run, general manager Les Snead and the front office remain open to reshaping the roster if it means creating financial flexibility or clearing room for younger stars. And one veteran defender might be headed out the door before the Rams even take the field this upcoming season.
A Veteran Defender the Rams May Part Ways With
The Rams have spent the offseason quietly retooling parts of the roster, and one player is emerging as an “obvious” trade candidate. Safety Kamren Curl, who joined the Rams in 2024, signed a two-year deal for $8.75 million that goes up to $12.75 million.
In 2023, Curl racked up 115 tackles with the Washington Commanders, making him one of the more productive safeties in the league. But 2024 told a different story, which is why ClutchPoints’ Lorenzo Renya listed Curl as a trade candidate. His production dipped with the Rams, only posting 79 tackles and failing to make a significant impact on defense.
The mixed results on the field weren’t the only reasons Curl’s future looks uncertain. Renya points out that Curl carries a cap hit of $4.75 million according to Spotrac, with a $2.5 million owed in base salary. The Rams, who have been careful about managing their books after years of big-ticket contracts, could clear a chunk of cap space by moving him now rather than letting him play out the final year of his two-year deal.
To make matters more complicated, the Rams have a younger, cheaper option in Quentin Lake, who has emerged as a more versatile defensive back who can play both nickel corner and safety. Lake is still on his rookie deal but is eligible for an extension soon, which is something the Rams will likely prioritize as they build around their core of ascending talent.
“Kamren Curl was a late addition to the Rams’ defense one year ago,” Renya wrote. “Now he’s facing a nebulous future as the temperatures rise in Southern California.” If the front office finds a willing trade partner or simply decides to release Curl outright, he could be searching for a new team before the season kicks off.
Is Trading Kamren Curl the Right Move?
While moving on from Curl could make sense financially, it’s fair to ask whether the Rams can really afford to weaken their secondary any further. Even with his inconsistent 2024 season, Los Angeles struggled in pass defense across the board.
Kamren Curl with the blanket coverage on George Kittle.
The safety play was very strong against the 49ers. Curl has been a solid pickup from Washington. He leads the team in passes defensed pic.twitter.com/Pcvqm4BVc9
— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) December 16, 2024
As Ali Jawad of Rams Wire noted, the Rams have ranked just 20th in passing defense over the past two seasons, allowing 231.1 yards per game in 2023 and 223.1 in 2024. Their coverage unit also finished “middle of the pack,” surrendering 6.7 yards per pass attempt last year.
The Rams’ trio of Darious Williams (59.3), Ahkello Witherspoon (62.6), and Cobie Durant (61.5) also posted below-average coverage grades last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Cutting or trading Curl would undoubtedly open up cap space and open up more opportunities for the rest of the secondary, but it could also remove one of the few veterans with the experience to stabilize an already vulnerable group.