Given the amount of young talent in place, the Rams should enjoy a bright 2018 season, but a few players left the Coliseum on Saturday night uncertain about whether they would return.
Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson has a six-year history with the team, while receiver Sammy Watkins has been around only since August. They represent two of the biggest decisions in the coming months for the Rams, whose season ended with a 26-13 wild-card round playoff loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Watkins is one of eight regular Rams contributors who is set to become an unrestricted free agent, and his situation is the most compelling and perplexing. The Rams traded for Watkins during training camp, ostensibly to be their No. 1 receiver, but then couldn’t seem to figure out how to use him.
Watkins, who had a history of injuries in Buffalo, stayed healthy all season but finished fourth on the Rams in receptions (39) and receiving yards (593). Against the Falcons, Watkins was targeted on only four of Jared Goff’s 45 pass attempts, and caught one pass for 23 yards.
It’s fair to ask if Watkins, who had three or fewer receptions in 12 of his 15 games season, would even want to return to the Rams in 2018.
“You see this team building something, with the coaching staff and the players,” Watkins said. “It would be a pleasure to come back but, you know, it’s a business. I’m looking forward to talking to the coach and seeing where my future is at.”
Watkins might not have a choice. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent, but he’s also the most likely to receive a franchise or transition tag from the Rams. Such a designation, almost certainly, would keep Watkins on the roster for the 2018 season at a fixed, guaranteed salary.
Other players have more options. Among Rams starters, Johnson, center John Sullivan, linebacker Connor Barwin, cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman and safety Lamarcus Joyner all are set to become free agents, as are defensive lineman Dominique Easley and safety Cody Davis.
Joyner and Robey-Coleman would seem to be the most likely to return, particularly if the Rams allow Johnson to walk away.
One of the Rams’ longest-tenured players, Johnson (drafted in 2012) said last month that he would like to return in 2018, but it’s not known how strongly the Rams will pursue him, and whether it makes financial sense to identify Johnson as their No. 1 cornerback.
Complicating matters is the unknown health status of cornerback Kayvon Webster, who is under contract in 2018 but who recently underwent surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon. Webster’s status could increase the chance of a return for Johnson, a team captain who played well this season.
“I’m so proud of these guys,” Johnson said. “You got to go back all the way in August, we had goals. Win the division, won that. Playoff game in L.A. Unfortunately we lost but can’t take anything away from these guys. I love these guys. I came in with these guys six years ago. To see this organization turn it around and flip like it did, it’s amazing.”
The Rams also must be mindful of the future. Aaron Donald remains under contract for one more season, but wants a new deal, as he showed in 2017 when he sat out training camp and the first game of the season. Todd Gurley also now will be eligible to sign a new contract this summer.
NO SWEET HOME
The Rams drew their largest, loudest crowd to the Coliseum for their playoff game — the team announced that nearly 75,000 tickets were distributed — but the Rams lost and fell to 3-5 at home this season.
That’s surprising because the Rams were 8-1 away from the Coliseum, which included a “home” game in London against Arizona. In two seasons since their relocation from St. Louis, the Rams have a 4-11 record at the Coliseum and an 11-7 record on the road.
“Next year, we’ll definitely get some more home wins, for sure,” Gurley said. “You’ve got to defend your turf. Obviously we want to win on the road, too, but we’ve got to defend our turf.”
TOUGH FINISH
Rams return specialist Pharoh Cooper is headed to the Pro Bowl in his second NFL season, but it didn’t end the way he wanted. Cooper fumbled a kickoff against Atlanta that led to a Falcons touchdown, and the Rams also muffed a punt when Cooper failed to either catch the ball or wave away teammates. The ball hit teammate Blake Countess, then Cooper, then one or two other Rams before Atlanta recovered.
“It’s humbling,” Cooper said. “You always have to protect the ball. That’s the main thing. Coach said it in the first meeting. ‘It’s about the ball.’ I didn’t do a good job of protecting the ball.”
