Getty
Davante Adams #17 of the Los Angeles Rams on the field during training camp.
Davante Adams made a significant impact in his first season with the Los Angeles Rams, but faces some uncertainty heading into Year 2.
Rams head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead cleared some of that up on Tuesday. However, a key decision looms for the Rams regarding Adams, and there is plenty of incentive to make it.
Adams, a six-time Pro Bowler, turns 34 in December.
Rams Deliver Straight Truth About Davante Adams
GettyDavante Adams #17 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before facing the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Wild Card.
McVay spoke first, and his comments said all that Adams and his reps may need to know about which direction the Rams will go this offseason.
Adams signed a two-year, $48 million contract with the Rams in free agency during the 2025 offseason. McVay said there has been no movement in extending Adams beyond the upcoming season.
McVay also suggested that there are no plans to address Adams’ contract situation.
“Haven’t talked about anything like that. Feel good about where we’re at there. I think the main focus and concentration for us has been on free agency–guys that are truly free agents for us, what are the upcoming plans–because next Monday will be here before we know it. So, making sure that you get all your contingency plans in place, in addition to the draft and different ways to onboard people,” McVay told reporters on March 3.
“Expect him to be ready to roll. Expect him to even be better in Year 2, and that’s kind of where we’re at with that.”
Snead echoed McVay on the status of talks with Adams, i.e., non-existent.
Adams led the NFL in touchdown receptions despite missing the final three games of the regular season. He finished with his fewest yards since the 2015 season, but was also quarterback Matthew Stafford’s favorite target in the red zone.
However, it would seem unlikely that the Rams fail to address Adams’ contract at some point this offseason, and the sooner the better.
Cap Move Looms for Davante Adams
GettyDavante Adams #17 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Rams can part ways with Adams, but they would incur $10 million in dead money, even with a post-June 1 designation. That would negate some of their $18 million in savings.
There is another option that keeps Adams in the fold.
“WR Davante Adams’s 2026 roster bonus is already fully guaranteed,” Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti wrote in January. “Processing a simple salary conversion (including this roster bonus and adding void years), can open up over $18M of space.”
Clearing up Adams’ situation would also allow the Rams to address some of their other stars this offseason.
Rams Facing Multiple Contract Questions
GettyDavante Adams #17 of the Los Angeles Rams on the field before a game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Like Adams, Stafford and fellow Rams stars Puka Nacua and Kobie Turner are entering the final years of their respective contracts.
The Rams enter the offseason with $40.2 million in space, per Over The Cap.
According to McVay and Snead, they have already engaged in contract talks with Stafford, while the GM also said they are exploring trade options. None of that suggests a change in Adams’ status is forthcoming.
How Adams feels about that is unclear, but it is also unlikely the Rams allow him to enter the 2026 season with a $28 million cap hit, which would be the eighth-highest among WRs.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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