Seahawks, Rams: Contract Timing, Not Pressure

0:00On March 23rd, there's a rumor floating around that the Seattle Seahawks new deal for White receiver Jackson Smith-Enjigba is forcing the Los Angeles. Rams to pay top dollar to extend their own star, Puka Nakua. But that's not the case at all. Smith-Enjigba's contract doesn't kick in until the 2028 season, while Nakua's would start next year. That timing difference gives the Seahawks a full year to adjust their books. But the Rams need cap space right now for free agency and the draft. Fans had pegged Nakua's average annual value around $45 million, and Smith-Enjigba landing at $42.2 million actually. Keeps expectation steady for the Rams. Meanwhile, the Seahawks are already ahead on other moves the Rams have handled, like big cornerback deals. Fans and media jumped on this narrative, but the Rams track record speaks for itself with eight winning seasons in nine years. They are not rushing Nakua's extension, even if it could save a few million up front. Because it might limit flexibility for surprise reagent grabs.

1:01Now, Seattle faces its own pressure, with cornerback Devon Witherspoon, due for a record-breaking extension that tops the Rams Trent McDuffy deal. Plus, the Rams have easy outs on contracts for players like Quentin Lake, Nate Landman, and Kyron Williams after this season, or 2027. All this fits the Rams' long-term plan amid a salary cap that surged, nearly $100 million in five years. So any small gaps between, these deals will vanish naturally as things evolve.