Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Times reports that there’s a “strong indication” that the Rams will explore long-term deals later this offseason for LB Alec Ogletree and RB/WR Tavon Austin.
Rams GM Les Snead made it clear last week that they were hoping to get extensions done with key players including DT Michael Brockers and Ogletree so this doesn’t come as a complete surprise.
After all, the Rams currently have around $60 million in available cap space to work with.
It’s worth mentioning that a large portion of this could go towards them retaining CBs Janoris Jenkins and/or Trumaine Johnson.
Ogletree, 24, is in the final year of his four-year, $7.03 million contract that include d a $3.492 million signing bonus. He’ll make a base salary of $675,000 for the 2016 season.
Should they not agree to a long-term deal, the Rams can decide whether to pick up his fifth-year option in the coming months.
In 2015, Ogletree had recorded 42 tackles and two sacks for the Rams’ defense. Ogletree’s year was cut short due to a broken fibula and wound up requiring surgery.
Austin, 24, is in the final year of his four-year, $12.751 million rookie contract that included a $7.653 million signing bonus. He stands to make a base salary of $2,143,773 for the 2016 season.
The Rams will also need to decide on his fifth-year option in the coming months, unless they have an agreement in place on a new deal.
In 2015, Austin appeared in all 16 games for the Rams and recorded 473 yards receiving on 52 receptions to go along with 434 yards rushing on 52 carries (8.3 YPC) and nine total touchdowns. Austin also contributed 268 punt return yards in a touchdown. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 86 receiver out of 121 qualifying players.
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