March 2, 2026, 11:06 a.m. PT

Free agency starts next week, which means it won’t be long before the Los Angeles Rams are adding veteran talent to an already loaded roster. They can sign any of their own pending free agents between now and the start of free agency to prevent them from hitting the market, but the question is whether anyone warrants a new deal.

With David Quessenberry already re-signed and Rob Havenstein opting to retire, the Rams’ list of pending free agents has shrunk slightly. What does the future look like for their other players on expiring contracts?

I’m predicting the fate of each Rams free agent, deciding whether they will stay or go – albeit with no inside information.

TE Tyler Higbee: Stay (if not retired)

Higbee may not be the receiving threat that he once was but he provides value beyond being a pass-catcher. I think the Rams could see his leadership and blocking skills warrant another contract, allowing him to continue mentoring the team’s younger tight ends in 2026. There’s always a chance Higbee decides to retire, having dealt with injuries the last two years, but if he wants to keep playing, the Rams would be the most logical spot for him at this stage in his career.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.WR Tutu Atwell: Go

I thought Atwell was as good as gone this time last year, and then the Rams gave him a fully guaranteed $10 million contract. There’s no chance of that happening again this offseason. Atwell should want a fresh start elsewhere after riding the bench for the last season, giving himself an opportunity to contribute in a more meaningful way in a different offense.

S Kamren Curl: Go

If the Rams hadn’t already paid Quentin Lake, this prediction might be different. But with Lake under contract now, and with Los Angeles’ history of not paying safeties, the Rams may opt to let Curl go to the highest bidder. After a breakout season in 2025, his value is at an all-time high and his next contract is certain to reflect that.

CB Cobie Durant: Stay

It might seem crazy for Los Angeles to retain any of its corners from last year, but Durant is someone the Rams should try to keep. He has inside-outside versatility, and his ball skills are top-notch. They should still try to overhaul their secondary but they can’t go into the draft with Emmanuel Forbes Jr. as their only corner under contract in 2026. Re-signing Durant would free the Rams up in the draft, allowing them to take the best player available instead of forcing a pick at corner.

CB Ahkello Witherspoon: Go

Witherspoon’s durability concerns popped up again in 2025, as he missed most of the season with multiple clavicle injuries. He’s always had trouble with injuries throughout his career and as he’s getting older, it’s probably best for the Rams to go in a different direction. Plus, his exclusivity as an outside corner hurts his value a bit, similar to Darious Williams.

QB Jimmy Garoppolo: Go

It’s already been reported that the Cardinals are interested in signing Garoppolo during free agency, which makes sense considering former Rams OC Mike LaFleur is the team’s new head coach. With Kyler Murray on his way out, Garoppolo would be a logical bridge quarterback in Arizona. As much as the Rams would probably want to keep him, he’ll get a chance to earn a starting job in Arizona if he signs there.

K Harrison Mevis (ERFA): Stay

The Rams can tender Mevis as an exclusive rights free agent and easily keep him for the league minimum. That would prevent him from negotiating with any other teams and give the Rams a quality option at kicker for very cheap. He earned his spot on the team last year and should get the chance to keep it in 2026.

OT D.J. Humphries: Go

With David Quessenberry already signed to a one-year deal, the Rams don’t have much need for Humphries. He struggled badly in limited action and will probably walk in free agency, assuming another team signs him to be a backup tackle.

CB Roger McCreary: Stay

The Rams acquired McCreary mid-season for a Day 3 pick swap, which wasn’t a very high cost to pay. They could let him walk and net a compensatory pick in 2027, but he provides more value on the roster than he does as a future draft pick. His opportunities were limited due to a hip injury suffered on his first defensive snap, but he got playing time in the playoffs, which was a show of trust from the coaches.

Even a modest one-year deal for McCreary would help the Rams in the secondary leading up to the draft.

WR/PR Xavier Smith (ERFA): Stay

The lasting memory of Smith’s 2025 season was his muffed punt, but don’t forget about the plays he made on offense. He became the Rams’ downfield threat midway through the season and still carries value as a receiver beyond just being a return specialist. For a minimum contract, he’s worth keeping.

OL Justin Dedich (ERFA): Stay

Dedich has been a solid backup on the interior for the Rams and being an exclusive rights free agent, it’ll cost very little for Los Angeles to retain him. Look for him to be back as a depth piece at guard and center in 2026, competing for another roster spot.

LS Jake McQuaide: Stay

McQuaide came out of retirement to take over as the Rams’ long snapper, and he did a great job. It’s hard to measure a player’s success at that position beyond just avoiding bad snaps but he seemed to do a solid job. If he wants to keep playing, the Rams should retain him.

TE Nick Vannett: Go

Tight end depth is needed if Higbee leaves or retires, but the Rams can find a younger, cheaper option in the draft or free agency. Vannett will probably be on the way out and could find a home elsewhere as a veteran backup.

LB Troy Reeder: Go

Reeder always finds his way back to Los Angeles somehow, even if it’s just as a special teamer. With Bubba Ventrone taking over that phase of the roster, he might want to bring in some fresh blood.

RB Ronnie Rivers: Stay

Rivers earned the coaches’ trust so much last season that he was getting third-down snaps over Kyren Williams and Blake Corum in the Rams’ divisional round loss. As puzzling as that was, it shows how highly the staff thinks of him.

CB Derion Kendrick: Go

Kendrick was cut, re-signed and then cut again last summer, all before landing back with them during the season. He may have familiarity with the defense but he seems unlikely to return after getting no playing time last year.

OLB Keir Thomas (RFA): Stay

Thomas, a preseason darling every year, won’t be retained on a $3.5 million tender, but the Rams could bring him back on a cheaper one-year deal. He provides depth at an important position and has shown flashes each summer on defense.

OLB Nick Hampton (RFA): Go

The Rams brought Hampton back after cutting him last year, adding him to the practice squad before elevating him to the active roster again. Like Thomas, the tender will be too expensive for him, and another team might want to give the former fifth-round pick a shot in free agency.