Jason La Canfora reports that the after trying to trade WR Tavon Austin and considering releasing him, the Rams are now planning to keep Austin for the 2018 season.
- Vincent Bonsignore reports that the Rams have restructured Austin’s contract.
- Alden Gonzalez reports that the $5 million guaranteed Austin was owed will remain, but the remaining $3 million of his salary is now available through incentives.
- According to Gonzalez, the rest of Austin’s contract will be eliminated as part of this deal, which means Austin is now on a one-year, $5 million deal.
There have been multiple reports over the past few months that that Austin was available for trade and La Canfora recently mentioned that the Rams were preparing to release Austin at the start of free agency. However, it appears as though they’re now comfortable keeping him in the fold.
Austin hasn’t come close to living up this big-money extension and wasn’t been a big part of the team’s offense under the new coaching staff, which is why many felt that they would be moving on from him.
Austin, 26, was the No. 8 overall pick back in 2013. He’s in the third year of his six-year, $56.14 million contract and stands to make base salaries of $3 million and $9.35 million over the next two years of the agreement.
In 2017, Austin appeared in all 16 games for the Rams and caught 13 passes for 47 yards receiving to go along with 270 yards rushing on 59 carries (4.6 YPC) and one touchdown. He also contributed 13 kick return yards and 53 punt return yards.
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