Rams working again Kyren Williams is ready patiently.
In the course of the offseason, the crew solidified its offense by re-signing left deal with Alaric Jackson and receiver Tutu Atwell, including free-agent receiver Davante Adams and offensive lineman Coleman Shelton and adjusting the contract of quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Williams, who rushed for greater than 1,100 yards in every of the final two seasons, is coming into the ultimate yr of his rookie contract and is eligible for an extension.
In April, the Rams and Williams’ agent exchanged proposed contract phrases. However with organized crew actions scheduled to start subsequent week, a deal has not been finished.
Nonetheless, Williams mentioned he was “feeling good” in regards to the state of affairs.
“I know with time it’s going to happen,” Williams mentioned final week in Pasadena, the place he helped distribute new footwear to youngsters affected by the Eaton Fireplace.
And if Williams and the Rams don’t attain a deal earlier than the season?
“I would love for it to get done so I can take care of my family and the loved ones that helped me get here,” he mentioned. “I’ve always got trust in God. Whether it happens now or I play out the season, I know it’s going to happen eventually.
“And so, time will tell. I just know I’ve got to do what I need to do each and every single day to make sure that it does happen in my favor.”
Rams working again Kyren Williams, second from proper, helped distribute new footwear to youngsters affected by Eaton hearth final week in a joint effort between the Seattle Seahawks and Rams.
(Gary Klein / Los Angeles Occasions)
Williams, a 2022 fifth-round draft decide from Notre Dame, was slowed by accidents a lot of his rookie season. However in 12 video games in 2023, he rushed for 1,144 yards, scored 15 touchdowns and was voted to the Professional Bowl. In 16 video games final season, he rushed for 1,299 yards and scored 16 touchdowns and helped the Rams advance to the NFC divisional spherical.
Williams, 24, leads a Rams working again corps that features second-year professional Blake Corum, Ronnie Rivers, Cody Schrader and rookie Jarquez Hunter, a fourth-round draft decide from Auburn.
Williams is scheduled to earn about $5.4 million this season, based on Overthecap.com. The Rams haven’t given a working again a top-level extension since they awarded Todd Gurley a then-record deal earlier than the 2018 season.
Common supervisor Les Snead has mentioned that Rams would “definitely like to engineer a long-term partnership,” with Williams. Coach Sean McVay mentioned in April that “bridging that gap” financially was the problem.
“We’ll see how far that we have to go with that but he is a very important part of what we want to be moving forward,” McVay mentioned, including, “He knows how much I love him, and so we’ll see if we can get something done.”
Within the meantime, Williams is making ready for the season — and persevering with to contribute off the sector with actions per those who made him the Rams’ nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the 12 months award final season.
Williams directed his $25,000 from the NFL Basis to the LAFD Basis to assist with hearth aid efforts, mentioned Molly Higgins, the Rams’ government vp of neighborhood affect and engagement.
“He’s been very vocal in saying, ‘However I can help with the fire-impacted families, let me know,’” Higgins mentioned.
So when the Seattle Seahawks reached out to the Rams providing to mix forces to distribute sneakers to needy youngsters affected by the fires, Williams signed on to help crew mascots and a number of other former Seahawks gamers on the Boys & Women Membership of Pasadena.
“I couldn’t imagine what these young kids and their families went through when they lost their houses and things due to the fire so just being able to be here — this is a blessing,” Williams mentioned.
As his contract state of affairs performs out, the work on and off the sector will proceed, Williams mentioned.
“My only purpose is to continue to get better,” he mentioned, “and finding joy in each and every single day and finding something to get better at.”
