The Los Angeles Rams entered the 2025 offseason with a roster poised for contention, but the departure of backup tight end Hunter Long to the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency has left the team with some questions at the position. Long, a former third-round pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2021, signed a two-year, $5 million deal with the Jaguars, with a maximum value of $6 million. His exit leaves the Rams with three tight ends on the roster: Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, and Davis Allen. While the team has options to address the vacancy, Long’s departure highlights both the challenges and opportunities facing the Rams at the tight end position.
Hunter Long’s Tenure with the Rams
Hunter Long joined the Rams in 2023 after spending two seasons with the Miami Dolphins, where he saw limited playing time. In Los Angeles, Long stepped into a backup role, primarily contributing as a blocking tight end. His most notable moment came in the 2024 season when he returned a blocked punt for a touchdown in a thrilling 44-42 victory over the Buffalo Bills. However, his overall offensive contributions remained modest, with Long serving as a depth piece behind Higbee, Parkinson and Davis
Long’s familiarity with Rams general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay made him a valuable asset, but his signing with the Jaguars reunites him with James Gladstone, the Jaguars’ new general manager, who previously worked in the Rams’ front office. This connection likely played a role in Jacksonville’s decision to target Long, who will now look to carve out a more significant role in Liam Coen’s offense.
The Current Tight End Landscape
With Long gone, the Rams’ tight end depth chart is thin. Tyler Higbee, the team’s veteran starter, remains a cornerstone of the offense when healthy. However, Higbee’s injury history—he missed significant time in 2024—raises concerns about his durability. Colby Parkinson, a younger option, showed promise last season but has yet to establish himself as a consistent receiving threat. Davis Allen has been in the mix, but like Parkinson, he has not shown consistency.
The Rams’ offense under McVay has often relied on tight ends for both blocking and receiving, making the position critical to the team’s success. Long’s departure leaves a void in the blocking department, where he was adequate, and could force the Rams to adjust their approach in the run game.
Options to Address the Gap
The Rams have several paths to address the tight end position, both in free agency and the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. Here are some potential options:
Free Agency
One name that has surfaced as a potential target is Tyler Conklin, a veteran tight end currently in free agency. Conklin offers receiving upside, which could complement Higbee’s skill set and provide the Rams with a more dynamic passing attack. Matthew Stafford’s addition of Davante Adams in free agency has already bolstered the passing game, but adding a tight end like Conklin could further enhance Stafford’s options.
The Rams’ front office, led by Les Snead, has a history of making savvy moves in free agency, and targeting a veteran tight end could provide immediate stability. However, the team will need to balance this move with other roster needs, including reinforcing the offensive line and secondary.
NFL Draft
Another option is to target a tight end in the later rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Rams have shown a willingness to invest in young talent, and the tight end position could benefit from an infusion of youth. While the team is unlikely to spend a high pick on a tight end given other priorities, a Day 3 selection could yield a developmental prospect with upside.
The Rams’ success in developing late-round picks on defense suggests they could replicate this approach on offense. A rookie tight end could serve as a long-term backup for Higbee and Parkinson, providing depth and potential for growth.
Internal Development
The Rams could also look to solutions via the draft or perhaps they believe Davis can fill the void. While no clear backup candidate has emerged, McVay’s coaching staff has a track record of maximizing the potential of overlooked players. Elevating a Davis Allen or using a second day pick on a TE is the likely outcome.
The Bigger Picture
The loss of Hunter Long is not a catastrophic blow to the Rams, but it underscores the importance of depth in the NFL. The team is coming off a strong 2024 season, with a young defense that showed significant promise and an offense that found ways to win despite challenges. McVay’s ability to adapt and innovate will be crucial as the Rams navigate this roster change.
The tight end position is just one piece of a larger puzzle, but it could play a pivotal role in the Rams’ aspirations for 2025. Whether through free agency, the draft, or internal development, the team must find a way to bolster its depth and maintain flexibility in its offensive scheme.
Wrap Up
Hunter Long’s departure to the Jacksonville Jaguars marks the end of his tenure with the Rams, but it also opens the door for new opportunities. The team faces a challenge in replacing his depth, but options like Tyler Conklin, a late-round draft pick, or internal development provide viable paths forward. As the Rams prepare for the 2025 season, addressing the tight end position will be a key storyline to watch. With McVay at the helm and Snead steering the front office, the Rams are well-positioned to adapt and compete, but the loss of Long serves as a reminder that every roster move matters in the quest for a Super Bowl.
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