Rams have cap space to reload defense in 2026

The Los Angeles Rams are officially onto the 2026 offseason after another wild game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, but now Les Snead has the ammunition and the motivation to spend the team's money like he's trying to take the Greatest Show on Turf back to 1999. The Rams have roughly $45 million to spend this year according to Overthecap.com, but that's before they make moves to create more space which is what they will inevitably do with some obvious moves.

The more intriguing number though is not the amount of space that L.A. has for next season, but the $178 million" that the Rams have open in 2027, which is the second-most in the NFL. That number is going to change significantly between now and then - Puka Nacua will need to be paid - but it means that the Rams are going to be able to keep all of the players they want to keep and have plenty of room to spare to add more talent between now and then.

Realistically, it's better to have a ton of cap space in 2027 than 2026 because L.A. will be able to sign players who won't see their cap numbers go up until next year and the year after that. The Rams have NO LIMITATIONS when it comes to how many players they want to add plus they have two first round picks to use.

With this much cap space, two first round picks, and the motivation to rebound after how the season ended, both losing out on the number one seed in December and then having to go on the road for three playoff games because of it, don't be surprised if the Rams are the most aggressive team in the offseason.

What will Rams do to create more cap space?Release Darious Williams

$7.5 million cap savings

Easy decision. Releasing Williams will get the Rams to roughly $53 million in cap space. (This is not an official number because the 2026 cap hasn't been set yet.)

Restructure AJ Jackson

$8.6 million cap savings

Rams would get to over $60 million in cap space by turning Jackson's base salary into a signing bonus. Given Jackson's strong play at left tackle, it's not that risky to restructure his contract.

Part with Davante Adams

$14 million in savings

Adams his most yards in a game since Week 2. Which was 89 yards. That's not an $28 million receiver, which is Adams' 2026 cap hit right now. It's doubtful a team would trade for Adams' $18 million base salary, meaning that the Rams probably just outright release Adams, but he was signed to win the Super Bowl this season. He's only holding the Rams back if the Rams use up one of their starting receiver positions and all that cap space on him. If the Rams open $14 million from their books by releasing or trading Adams, they will have enough money to get any available receiver who they want to get.

If they did these three moves, they'd have almost $75 million in cap space this year and just an unfathomable amount to use in 2027.

That's important because the Rams likely need to extend Puka Nacua this offseason, a deal that will top over $40 million per season.

Get pushed inside on a Go Route?

Win with speed over the top and stack the DB! Great rep from Puka Nacua! pic.twitter.com/M1O0sTpEeJ

- Jake Franklin Football (@JakeFranklinFB) January 25, 2026

The Rams need to pay Puka and get him a new complement weapon in 2026.

Free agents include Kam Curl and then a bunch of players who probably don't need to be brought back. So expect a lot of new players on the Rams in 2026. With this sort of money and an aggressive GM and a mad Sean McVay, look for the Rams to go scorched earth in the offseason with cap space and the richest owner in the league as the flame thrower.