Los Angeles

Rams

The rotational run-stuffer re-ups with the Rams after notching career-highs in both tackles (17) and tackles for loss or no gain (three). This was a needed move for the Rams, after losing starting DT Bobby Brown III to the Panthers this offseason.

The $45 million sum equates to $15 million per year. This is a homecoming for Kupp, who grew up in Yakima, WA and later attended Eastern Washington University. Reports consistently indicated that Kupp preferred to remain on the West Coast, with some journalists reporting that Seattle, specifically, appealed to him. It remains to be seen how the Seahawks will deploy Kupp and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, two slot-oriented players, but the coaching staff undoubtedly has a plan in mind. Kupp averaged 1.88 yards per route run across the full 2024 season. In 12 regular season games, he caught 67-of-97 targets for 710 yards and six touchdowns.

As The Athletic’s James Boyd points out, Gallimore slides in as a depth replacement for the recently-released Raekwon Davis behind starters DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart. Now 28, Gallimore spent the first four years of his career in Dallas before last year’s one-year sojourn in L.A., which initially began in Miami before Gallimore’s late-camp release. Gallimore is purely an early downs rotational option.

Hummel is a core special teamer through three seasons in the NFL with the Rams. Though he had just one defensive start last season, he played 338 snaps on special teams. The Ravens just lost core special teamer and linebacker Chris Board through free agency. They add Hummel to fill the special teams role and add depth on defense.

Rozeboom entered the league as a UDFA with the Chiefs but found a permanent home with the Rams in LA. He steadily earned more playing time, culminating in a breakout 2024 campaign. Rozeboom made 11 starts across 17 appearances and led the team with 135 combined tackles. He logged five TFLs, four pass breakups, and one interception. Rozeboom will compete for a starting role in Carolina during training camp.

It’s possible a team swoops in at the last second and throws LA a late draft pick. That played out with Christian Kirk despite reports of his release. However, the Rams have been trying to get a deal done for over a month and haven’t found a partner. A deal seems nearly impossible at this point. Kupp will be an unrestricted free agent once the transaction wire runs later today. The former superstar receiver has struggled through injuries in recent seasons, playing in just 33 regular season games over the past three years. Kupp is still an elite possession receiver when healthy, but his ability to command targets at an elite level appears to be on the decline. He will have plenty of takers on the open market, though his days as a fantasy WR1 are likely over.

Weaver most recently spent time on the Rams’ practice squad but took his latest NFL snap with the Texans early in the 2024 season. The former fourth-round pick spiked for 5.5 sacks in 2022, his second pro season, but has struggled to find a role across three teams ever since. He will be fighting for a roster spot as a rotational pass-rusher this summer.

Shelton returns to the Rams, where he played from 2019-2023. He spent last season with the Bears, making 17 starts and allowing three sacks. The Bears chose to revamp their offensive line, leaving Shelton looking elsewhere in free agency. He reunites with the Rams on a two-year deal and will be in the mix to start after starting 30 games for Los Angeles from 2022-2023.

Stoops will be able to participate in training camp and play in preseason games, but will be forced out of the first two contests of the regular season. The 25-year-old will be battling for a roster spot and is far from a lock to make the Rams out of exhibition season.

Rapoport says the deal is worth “up to” $24 million, meaning the base value will come in short of that number. Hoecht started all 17 games in 2023 and totaled 6.5 sacks. The Rams made major additions to their defensive line via the draft last year, relegating Hoecht to a part-time role in 2024. As expected, his numbers fell across the board and he was held to just three sacks. Hoecht should play a larger role for the Bills, they he may be typecast as a pass-rush specialist going forward.