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3 Players Who Won't Be on the Rams Next Season

By Scott Rogust

With 'major changes' looming for the Rams, here are three players who won't return to Los Angeles.
With 'major changes' looming for the Rams, here are three players who won't return to Los Angeles. / Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

The Los Angeles Rams fought tooth and nail against the rival San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night. Yet, it was all to no avail; a huge pass to receiver Emmanuel Sanders set up the 49ers' game-winning field goal, and thus eliminated the Rams from playoff contention.

Hours after the game, reports indicated there could be "major changes" to the Rams coaching staff and roster heading into the 2020 season. Considering the team needs to find room to fit a lucrative Jalen Ramsey contract, here are three players who won't return next season.

3. Brandin Cooks

Brandin Cooks has not lived up to his massive contract due to numerous injuries.
Brandin Cooks has not lived up to his massive contract due to numerous injuries. / Meg Oliphant/Getty Images

Despite being a first-round selection in the 2014 NFL Draft, Brandin Cooks has been a bit of a journeyman. After disappointing in various ways across the country with the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots, he finally landed with the Los Angeles Rams. After acquiring Cooks from the Patriots, the Rams locked him into a massive five-year, $81 million contract. Despite a strong initial season in 2018, Cooks has been hampered by concussion issues. In 2020, Cooks carries a cap hit of $16.8 million. While they won't get a desirable return, getting Cooks' contract off the books will help Los Angeles in the long run, and he may not be long for the NFL lifestyle.

2. Dante Fowler

Dante Fowler will be a highly sought-after free agent edge rusher in 2020.
Dante Fowler will be a highly sought-after free agent edge rusher in 2020. / Meg Oliphant/Getty Images

Dante Fowler isn't a surprise. Fowler came back on a one-year, prove-it deal during the offseason, and boy, did he ever win that bet. In 15 games this year, Fowler recorded career-highs in tackles (56) and sacks (11.5). With plenty of teams in need of a quality edge rusher, there's virtually no viable way the Rams will be able to afford him.

1. Todd Gurley

Todd Gurley is reportedly a cap casualty this offseason.
Todd Gurley is reportedly a cap casualty this offseason. / Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

When Mike Silver of NFL Network dropped the report of "major changes" for the Los Angeles Rams, the first name he brought up was running back Todd Gurley. Deemed a potential "cap casualty," Gurley's production hasn't matched up with the contract he's received. Not to mention the knee issues that the Rams RB is dealing with. Plus, if Gurley is on Los Angeles' roster on the third day of the 2020 league year, he receives an additional $10.5 million in guaranteed money. While cutting ties will result in the team taking a monstrous $25.7 million cap hit, it's certainly better than adding the extra guaranteed money on top of that. Against all odds, Todd Gurley's time in LA may very well be up.