NFL analyst says Rams should prioritize this impending free agent

The Los Angeles Rams currently have 21 impending free agents for the 2026 offseason. That's not a huge number, but there are several key players who could hit the open market if the Rams don't re-sign or franchise tag them—particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

L.A. has already locked down linebacker Nate Landman with a new contract, but a few other big names remain, like safeties Quentin Lake and Kamren Curl, cornerbacks Ahkello Witherspoon, Cobie Durant and Roger McCreary, as well as offensive leaders like Rob Haventstein, Tyler Higbee, Jimmy Garoppolo and Tutu Atwell.

With a few huge rookie contract extensions on the horizon, too, the Rams will have some big questions to answer this spring.

But for right now, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox writes that the Rams should prioritize Curl's extension.

Of course, the Rams won't lose [Matthew] Stafford to the open market if they don't renegotiate. They do stand to lose starting safety Kamren Curl if he doesn't get a new deal—and he should.

Curl has started 27 games for L.A. since he was acquired in 2024 and has provided stability on the back end of the defense. He's already tallied 87 tackles and two interceptions this year while allowing an opposing passer rating of only 88.4 in coverage.

Still only 26 years old, Curl should continue to be a pivotal piece of the Rams' defense.

This is an interesting choice given the other free agents. Curl may end up being the cheapest to retain, but the Rams might prefer to keep Lake on a bigger deal given his versatility and importance to the defense.

Before his injury, Lake played 100% of the Rams' defense snaps this season. He might be more expensive, but he is harder to replace than Curl from a sheer skill perspective.

This is not to say Curl isn't worth it to keep—the veteran is second on the team in combined tackles (87) behind Landman and first in solo tackles with 59. Curl has also recorded two interceptions.

However, the Rams will need to determine which positions they can more easily replace, especially when it comes down to crunch time for contract negotiations with irreplaceable players like Puka Nacua, Byron Young, and Kobie Turner. All three will be eligible for new deals after this season.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL analyst says Rams should prioritize this impending free agent