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Kamren Curl #3 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Los Angeles Rams are showing that general manager Les Snead’s comments about being aggressive were more than just that, specifically when it comes to their secondary, where Kam Curl’s future on the roster was one of the underlying storylines.
Curl was one of the postseason heroes for the Rams. However, some of their other decisions have seemingly pushed him further out the door than his projected raise already was.
On Friday, the Rams put an end to the speculation, sparking a reaction from Curl.
Rams Make Final Call on Kam Curl
GettyKam Curl #3 of the Los Angeles Rams in action against the Baltimore Ravens.
“The #Rams and star S Kam Curl have agreed to terms on a new deal to keep him in Los Angeles before free agency, per The Insiders,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on X on March 6.
“He gets a 3-year, $36M contract with a max value of $39M in a deal done by Milk and Honey Sports. A big week for LA’s secondary.”
Kurl responded, not with words, but with emojis, giving the glory to God for the development.
🧎🏾♂️➡️✝️
Curl has 201 total tackles, 3.0 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, and 1 recovery with the Rams over the last two seasons. He intercepted Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, setting the Rams up for the game-winning touchdown in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.
The Rams traded for former Kansas City Chiefs star corner Trent McDuffie, who is expected to receive an extension just months after extending safety Quentin Lake.
Both moves seemed to spell the end for Curl in LA.
Instead, he returns on a multi-year contract, meaning the Rams will have at least five players who have starting experience in their defense–Curl, Lake, cornerbacks Darious Williams and Emmanuel Forbes, and safety Kamren Kinchens–around an All-Pro newcomer in McDuffie.
Lake was happy to learn of his teammate’s return. He first posted “LETSS GOOOOOO !!!!!!!!!!” on X in reaction to the news, later sending a separate post that said, “MY DAWG IS BACK!!”
Rams Boast Tremendous Versatility on Back End
GettyKam Curl #3 and Kamren Kinchens #26 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrate an interception against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.
Curl has also been a versatile piece for the Rams, rotating into the box to help against the run and as a blitzer.
His return, along with the addition of McDuffie and Lake’s presence, will allow the Rams to present one of the more versatile groups in the league. All three veteran players can play the nickelback role.
They have different skill sets when aligned there, but that too is a benefit to the Rams.
Disguising intentions has gotten more difficult for defense thanks to teams building motion into plays more frequently.
Having a bevy of players like the Rams do with Curl, Lake, and McDuffie allows a team to show one thing with something entirely different being called. It is also an asset in hurry-up situations, when defenses cannot substitute.
Rams Got a Bargain
GettyKam Curl #3 of the Los Angeles Rams makes a play against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.
Curl, a seventh-round pick of the Washington Commanders in 2020, returns to the Rams on a relative bargain deal.
Spotrac projected his market value at $10 million annually.
Spotrac provided a four-year, $40.2 million contract as an example of what Curl might receive in free agency. The Athletic’s Daniel Popper ranked him the second-best safety that was expected to be available.
The Rams had other plans, though, and worked to keep Curl in LA.
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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