Rams have a lot of extensions to decide on after Marcus Peters trade

Now that the Los Angeles Rams trade with Marcus Peters is all but determined (it won’t be confirmed until March due to league rules), the Rams will now need to figure out how to ink out an extension for their cornerback acquisition. Peters’ contract goes till 2020 after a fifth year option which has not yet been exercised. That means the Rams will get him for at least two seasons before they would need to bring the brinks truck to pay him.

Also in ‘option-land’ is Aaron Donald who’s fifth year option for 2019 was exercised. He also will be looking to get paid as he is arguably the best player on the defensive side of the ball. How much money? Don’t be surprised if you see quarterback money getting thrown at the defensive tackle for his services. Donald sat for several weeks to start the 2017 season due to contract extension disputes, so he’s definitely going to be looking for something.

Why is this important? The rams currently have $40,563,316 in cap space. Beyond the above players that need an extension and won’t be cheap, the Rams also have to figure out what to do with Sammy Watkins who is slated to walk this offseason. LaMarcus Joyner and Trumaine Johnson also have completed their contracts and can be free agent commodities. And let’s not forget that Todd Gurley and Jared Goff will be in need of a big contract in a couple of years.

While the Marcus Peters signing will be helping the team in the long term, the Rams can’t pay everyone. Johnson is one obvious free agency candidate now that Peters is coming to Los Angeles, but there will be a lot of decisions to make for the team in the coming weeks.