Kamren Curl, Los Angeles Rams
Getty
Kam Curl #3 of the Los Angeles Rams in action against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Los Angeles Rams got as far as they did this past season thanks in no small part to veteran safety Kam Curl.
Now, Curl faces an uncertain future.
He is a free agent this offseason, which will officially begin on March 11. Moreover, the Rams’ recent decisions loom large for him as he heads into his seventh NFL season after his second campaign in LA with the Rams.
Rams Facing Cold Reality on Kam Curl
Kam Curl, Los Angeles Rams
GettyKam Curl #3 of the Los Angeles Rams in action against the Baltimore Ravens.
Curl, who turns 27 on March 31, joined the Rams after four seasons with the Washington Commanders, who selected 216th overall in the 2020 draft.
“Curious to see if the Rams can get him back after a Pro Bowl-caliber year,” The Athletic’s Nate Atkins posted on X on March 5. “Sean McVay said the team is trying, but the Trent McDuffie addition makes it more of a money decision now.”
The Rams are expected to consummate an extension with McDuffie sooner rather than later.
Atkins went into further detail after the deal was completed, noting that Curl’s already-tenuous outlook in LA grew even more so.
“A new deal for McDuffie will make it harder to bring back strong safety Kam Curl, who was a major factor in the dime run defense,” Atkins wrote on March 4. But a Curl exit would also give Quentin Lake a spot to rotate more often to at strong safety to open the nickel up for McDuffie. Los Angeles could also expand Jaylen McCollough’s role to help fill the void.”
The Rams’ secondary battled injuries last season, particularly at corner. Still, Curl was one of eight Rams to start every game in the regular season. He led the team in defensive snaps, logging 97 more than second-place, linebacker Nate Landman, per Pro Football Reference.
Kam Curl Poised to Cash In
Kam Curl, Los Angeles Rams
GettyKamren Curl #3 of the Los Angeles Rams before the game against the Buffalo Bills.
Curl, who has earned $18.4 million in his career, signed a two-year, $9 million contract with the Rams. He is poised to receive a significant raise, be it from LA or another team in free agency this offseason.
Spotrac projected Curl’s market value at $10 million annually, suggesting a four-year, $40.2 million contract as an example.
The Athletic’s Daniel Popper ranked Curl 23rd overall and second among free agent safeties.
“Curl is capable at all three levels of the field, and he can fit into a multitude of schemes and roles. He is an elite run defender when rotated into the box, especially when playing off the edge. Curl plays bigger than his frame. He is aggressive and physical,” Popper wrote in February.
“Curl drives on routes in front of him and finishes well on targeted receivers, particularly on screens and underneath passes. He brings the same mentality to ball carriers in the run game, and he is a dangerous blitzer.”
The Rams still have 2024 third-round selection Kam Kinchens in their deep secondary, and Lake is a safety by trade.
LA relied on three-safety looks partly out of necessity last season.
Adding McDuffie, in theory, helps eliminate that, with his ability to play inside and out, matching up against opponents’ top receivers or protecting one side of the field. Curl helped the Rams’ defense, particularly against the run, but that also came with pitfalls against the pass.
Kam Curl Was Playoff Hero for Rams
Kamren Curl
GettyKam Curl #3 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after his interception against the Chicago Bears.
Curl thrived in his role near the line of scrimmage for the Rams. However, his biggest play of the season actually came during the postseason.
Curl intercepted Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. The game-altering play, in a game that went to overtime, propelled the Rams to the NFC Championship Game.
LA drove down the field for the game-winning touchdown on their ensuing possession.
Curl’s game-changing ability showed up at the best time for the Rams. He will be missed if he is not brought back.