-
Brady HendersonESPN
Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead says the team “definitely” wants to rename wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., one of the biggest names still available in the second week of the NFL free agency.
But in a video call with reporters on Tuesday, Snead called it a complex situation as Beckham comes in after a serious knee injury. In that sense, he said Beckham’s re-signing would be equivalent to the receiver’s arrival in the middle of the 2021 season, as his recovery from ACL surgery is likely to keep him out well after the start of the 2022 season.
“We would certainly appreciate him being a part of that diversity [pass-catchers] we talked about, and of course we came later in the season and in a way ended things with him, “Snead said.” So similar to last year, even though the circumstances are different. “
As for Aaron Donald’s contract situation, Snead was asked if the franchise and its star-defensive tackle are close to a new deal.
“We’ve definitely chatted with Aaron, his representative,” Snead said. “And we’re trying to come up with a win-win solution to reward Aaron, but still be able to keep trying to compete as a team at the highest level. So we’re up there.”
Snead was asked if Von Miller’s departure to the free agency complicates the situation with Anders.
“That would be an interesting question for Aaron,” he said. “I know Aaron has formulated to us that he wants to return and he certainly wants to keep trying to do special things, not just as an individual player, but as a team. So it’s been formulated. But losing Von in particular, that would be a question that Aaron would be best at [to answer]. “
Beckham Jr., 29, signed with the Rams in November after being sacked by the Cleveland Browns and becoming a key player during Los Angeles’ championship race. In 12 games with the Rams, including the playoffs, he caught 48 passes on 593 yards and seven touchdowns. He scored the first touchdown of the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI victory before tearing his left ACL late in the second quarter.
Rams’ receiving corps has already undergone a significant change. The team signed Allen Robinson II last week and on Sunday agreed to swap Robert Woods for the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2023, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Woods also comes from a torn ACL he suffered shortly after the Rams signed Beckham in November.