The last three offseasons, the Rams have spent substantial draft capital on their pass rush to replace the soon-to-be-retiring Aaron Donald. The group has been the foundation of everything coordinator Chris Shula has schemed up the last two years with the hopes that that group would hold up the rest of the defense.
And for a time that worked – late in the 2024 season, for instance, and early in 2025 when the Rams’ defense ranked among the best in the NFL. But as that second season wore on, the Rams’ defense wore out. Tackles were missed, coverage assignments blown and opponents racked up yards and points.
Entering this offseason, with the entire pass rush under contract for 2026, the Rams have the opportunity to focus on the secondary and linebackers and create a unit that complements each other instead of relying on one position group. Whether it be through free agency, which begins March 11, or the NFL draft from April 23-25.
Here is a look at where the Rams’ defense stands entering the offseason, and some decisions looming over the unit:
**Returning starters:** OLB Jared Verse, OLB Byron Young, DL Kobie Turner, DL Braden Fiske, DL Poona Ford, LB Nate Landman, LB Omar Speights, DB Quentin Lake, S Kamren Kinchens, CB Emmanuel Forbes.
The Rams return their entire defensive front, including reserves Tyler Davis, Josaiah Stewart, Desjuan Johnson and Ty Hamilton. This is the group the Rams have built around for the last three years, and how best to activate this group – particularly in pursuit of the quarterback – should be the driving force to everything the Rams do this offseason.
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To that end, Turner and Young are eligible for contract extensions. Head coach Sean McVay has already expressed an interest in keeping both with the Rams long-term. Can the Rams and each player come to terms this offseason? Or is it in each side’s interest to wait until 2027 to reach a deal?
**Upcoming unrestricted free agents:** S Kamren Curl, CB Cobie Durant, CB Roger McCreary, CB Ahkello Witherspoon, LB Troy Reeder, CB Derion Kendrick.
**Upcoming restricted free agents:** OLB Keir Thomas, OLB Nick Hampton.
The secondary will be an area of big upheaval over the offseason, with five free agents from the group, plus a veteran in Williams whose release would save the team $7.5 million in cap space for 2026. Beyond that, this free-agent crop consists of special teams contributors for the Rams.
**2026 projected salary cap:** [$48.2 million in cap space, per the website overthecap.com](https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/los-angeles-rams).
**2026 cap commitments (per OverTheCap):** $269.4 million
**2026 cap commitments (defense only):** $74.9 million
**Toughest decisions:** The Gordian Knot the Rams will have to solve this offseason is the secondary. No solution is as easy as a slash of a sword.
Two starters are free agents – Curl and Durant. The latter has grown over the course of his rookie contract and has a flair for the dramatic in big moments, but is not the No. 1 corner the Rams have been without since Jalen Ramsey’s departure three years ago. Curl has played on a bargain deal the last two years, but will want to cash in after a big 2025 and postseason.
The Rams historically haven’t invested a lot of cap space into their secondary, but did just extend Lake to a three-year deal in January. So do they do they same with Curl or Durant?
Or do they look to free agency to try to upgrade at safety or corner? No one would expect them to break the bank, but they could go the bargain route – like Curl or Landman the last two years – or try to bring in a veteran on market price, like they did with Ford last year.
Saints corner Alontae Taylor, Seahawks corner Riq Woolen and Chiefs safety Bryan Cook lead this year’s free-agent crop.
The Rams could look internally to replace Curl at safety. Jaylen McCollough is someone the coaching staff likes a lot, and has used him as a dime linebacker as a way to get him on the field while playing behind Curl, Lake and Kinchens.
Cornerback is another situation, however. If the Rams decide to release Williams, Forbes will be the only outside corner left on the roster. And he might be entering a contract year if the Rams don’t pick up his fifth-year option for 2027.
Perhaps we see the Rams take a similar approach as they did along the defensive front the last three drafts and take multiple shots at corners in April. With two first-round picks and their second and third, the Rams could use one first and a Day 2 pick on corners and still have high-level draft capital left over to improve the rest of the roster.
Elsewhere on the roster, the Rams have to decide whether to upgrade at inside linebacker. Landman established himself as a fixture on the defense, but Speights struggled in the postseason in coverage and whiffed a couple of times against Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker in the NFC championship game.