Rams’ Robert Woods agrees to four-year extension with $32 million guaranteed
After the Rams completed their final practice for Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, coach Sean McVay was asked Friday if there was an update on contract extension negotiations with receiver Robert Woods.
McVay said talks were progressing and that he hoped to have some positive news in the next few days.
“If not, you know, sooner than that,” he said.
About an hour later, the Rams announced they had agreed to terms with Woods on a four-year extension. Terms were not disclosed but the deal could be worth as much as $68 million, with $32 million guaranteed, a person with knowledge of the situation said.
Woods, who has two years remaining on his contract, is the third Rams player to receive an extension in the last two weeks.
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey last week signed a five-year, $105-million deal that made him the highest-paid player at his position in NFL history. Receiver Cooper Kupp signed a three-year deal that could be worth as much as $48 million.
With many new players manning the defense, and many of them young, the Rams defended surprisingly well in their opening victory over Dallas, especially considering there were no preseason games.
“LESSGO!! Congrats” Ramsey tweeted after the Rams announced Woods’ deal.
“Iron X Iron! Sharpening never stops!” Kupp tweeted. “Pumped for my guy. Best I’ve been around.”
In last week’s 20-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, Woods caught six passes for 105 yards. It was the latest productive game for a player with deep roots in Southern California.
Woods starred at Gardena Serra High and USC before the Buffalo Bills selected him in the second round of the 2013 draft. In 2017, Woods signed a five-year, $34-million contract with the Rams that included $10 million in guarantees.
But Woods, 28, outperformed the contract and was regarded as one of the NFL’s best bargains the last two seasons.
In 2018, Woods caught 86 passes for 1,219 yards and six touchdowns as the Rams advanced to the Super Bowl. Last season, he caught 90 passes for 1,134 yards and two touchdowns.
He was scheduled to earn about $8.2 million this season and $10.2 million in 2021, according to overthecap.com.
Julio Jones of the Atlanta Falcons has the highest salary-cap number for a receiver this season at $20.4 million. Woods ranked 28th.
After Kupp got his extension, Woods said McVay reassured him that his deal would be taken care of this week. Woods and McVay had indicated Thursday that a new deal for Woods might be done before the Rams (1-0) played the Eagles (0-1) at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Rams now will take the field with Woods, Kupp, Ramsey, quarterback Jared Goff and defensive tackle Aaron Donald under contract through at least the 2023 season.
The Los Angeles Rams drafted Jared Goff over Carson Wentz with the top pick of the 2016 NFL Draft. Did the Rams get a better QB than the Eagles?
Etc.
Tight end Gerald Everett (back) practiced but is listed as questionable on the Rams’ injury report. “He felt good,” McVay said. “I fully expect him to be ready to go.” ... Eagles defensive ends Brandon Graham (concussion) and Derek Bennett (hamstring) are listed as questionable and receiver Alshon Jeffery was ruled out for Sunday’s game, per the Eagles injury report. ... McVay opened his video conference with a mask on his face. The NFL this week sent a memo to teams warning that disciplinary action would be taken if sideline personnel, including coaches, did not wear face coverings during games. McVay acknowledged he was guilty of not adhering to the policy in the opener against the Cowboys. “I’ll try and make sure I’m doing a lot better job than I did,” he said Friday.
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