The Los Angeles Rams have a lot of optimism for the 2026 NFL season now that Matthew Stafford confirmed that he's playing one more season.
Add in their trade for Trent McDuffie, and the Rams look to be gearing up for an all-in 2026 NFL season. But this offseason won't just be about 2026; it will also feature important moves for the future.
As ESPN's Sarah Bishop writes, the Rams are also going to focus on addressing contract extensions for Puka Nacua and the rest of their 2023 draft class this offseason.
Rams expected to focus on Nacua, 2023 draft class extensions
"What do you expect to happen: Prioritize their extension-eligible players over splashy free agent signings," Bishop writes.
This offseason, those extension-eligible players hail from the 2023 draft class. Nacua is the top name, and he's going to be very expensive. But, other than him are some very key players on both sides of the ball.
Outside linebacker Byron Young, defensive end Kobie Turner, and offensive guard Steve Avila are all now eligible to receive contract extensions this offseason.
Warren McClendon is also extension eligible, but the other four players are more likely to be the focus of the Rams this offseason.
Bishop's prediction that the Rams won't make big splashy moves this offseason, instead extending their own players, is interesting.
More: Anthony Richardson would be perfect trade target for Rams to develop behind Matthew Stafford
The Rams could spend big on outside free agents to make the 2026 roster as good as possible, while putting the future at risk.
Instead, based on Bishop's prediction, the Rams are going to spend a lot of money on their extension-eligible players to lock them up in Los Angeles for the foreseeable future.
Nacua and Young's deals will be very expensive, while Avila and Turner will also land very strong deals as well. The 2026 season is their final year under contract with the Rams, as they'll all hit the open market next offseason after their four-year rookie deals are up.
Instead of letting such a situation happen, the Rams are predicted to extend some of these 2023 draft picks to long-term deals. It's not a bad idea, especially since the contracts will only get more expensive the longer the Rams wait.
More Rams news: