According to Nick Wagoner of ESPN, the St. Louis Rams are discussing their options with OT Jake Long if he’s healthy enough to return from a season-ending ACL injury.
Long has come up as a potential cap casualty for the Rams based on the fact that he’ll count $10.5 million against the team’s salary cap in 2015 and another $9.25 million in 2016.
Wagoner mentions that releasing Long outright would free up $8 million in cap space, while designating him as a post-June 1 release would boost that figure to $9.25 million.
Even so, it sounds like the Rams are at least willing to entertain the idea of bringing him back next year.
“There are possibilities, yes,” HC Jeff Fisher said at the Combine this past weekend. “They’ve been discussed.”
The Rams have said publicly that Greg Robinson will take over as the team’s left tackle, but with RT Joe Barksdale likely test the free agent market, there’s a chance that Long could takeover on the right side of their offensive line.
Wagoner admits that Long returning to the Rams next year is likely contingent upon him accepting a reduced rate. On top of that, Wagoner mentions that Long is unlikely to make anything close to his current salary, even if he reaches free agency.
Long, 29, still has two years remaining on his four-year, $34 million contract that included $16 million guaranteed.
In 2014, he was limited to appearing in seven games and playing a total of 449 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Long ultimately graded out as the No. 36 offensive tackle out of 84 qualifying players in 2014.
Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!
