How Rupert Murdoch Changed Sports Media Forever
There appears to be no stopping the Rams’ massive post-Super Bowl spending spree, as they appear dead set on repeating as champs for the first time in nearly a decade.
Just two days after extending DT Aaron Donald to a historic $160 million extension, Los Angeles re-upped with WR Cooper Kupp for a reported three years and $80 million. The extension includes a guaranteed $75 million — the most ever for an NFL receiver.
Kupp’s extension is the fifth in a string of big-money offseason moves as the Rams systematically either lock down players or secure free agents with lucrative offers. The total value of those five deals is a staggering $431.5 million — $310 million guaranteed.
- Kupp will now make $110M over the five years of his deal.
- QB Matt Stafford re-upped for 4 YRS/$160M, and Donald for 3 YRS/$95M.
- LB Bobby Wagner signed for 3 years/$50M — $65M with incentives.
- WR Allen Robinson signed for 3 years/$45M, including $30M guaranteed.
All this spending begs the question: How will the Rams fit the contracts under the NFL’s $208.2 million salary cap?
There’s no easy answer, but GM Les Snead has done some skillful maneuvering, lowering several of the highest cap hits via extensions, backloading of deals, prorated signing bonuses, and voidable years.
At some point, the piper will need to be paid, but owner Stan Kroenke can afford it with an estimated net worth of $10.7 billion.
