As the Los Angeles Rams transition into the 2025 offseason following a 10-7 season and a playoff run that ended in the NFC Divisional Round, the franchise faces several pivotal decisions. Among them is the future of running back Kyren Williams, a 24-year-old breakout star who has become the heartbeat of the Rams’ offense. With Williams entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2025, the question looms: should the Rams extend him now, or let his future play out? This decision carries significant implications for the team’s competitiveness, salary cap management, and long-term vision.
The Case for an Extension
Kyren Williams has proven himself as a cornerstone of the Rams’ offense over the past two seasons. Since being drafted in the fifth round out of Notre Dame in 2022, he has transformed from an injury-plagued rookie into one of the NFL’s most productive running backs. In 2023, he burst onto the scene with 1,144 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in just 12 games, averaging an impressive 5.0 yards per carry. This past season, he took it up a notch, rushing for a career-high 1,299 yards and 14 touchdowns across 16 regular-season games, while adding 182 receiving yards and two more scores. His 16 total touchdowns tied for fifth in the NFL, and he was the engine behind a Rams team that overcame a 1-4 start to clinch the NFC West.
Beyond the numbers, Williams brings intangibles that align with the Rams’ identity. Head coach Sean McVay has praised his toughness, work ethic, and leadership, noting that Williams “represents… all the different things that we really want to be about as a football team.” General manager Les Snead echoed this sentiment, calling him “someone who is a Ram” and suggesting that an extension is “on the plate” for discussion this offseason. Williams himself has expressed a desire to stay long-term, saying, “I don’t want to go play for anybody else besides the Los Angeles Rams.”
His impact on the field is undeniable. In 2023, the Rams averaged 14 more points per game with Williams active compared to when he was sidelined. This season, he accounted for 43% of the team’s touches—tops in the NFL—and carried the offense through early injuries to key players like Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. His bruising, short-area running style and reliability in the passing game make him a perfect fit for McVay’s scheme, complementing quarterback Matthew Stafford’s play-action-heavy approach.
From a financial perspective, extending Williams now could be a shrewd move. His current rookie deal, a four-year, $3.97 million contract, expires after 2025. Thanks to his 2023 Pro Bowl nod, his 2025 salary will jump to approximately $5.3 million via the Proven Performance Escalator. However, waiting until he hits free agency in 2026 could drive his price tag higher, especially if he replicates or exceeds his 2024 output. The running back market has stabilized somewhat, but top performers like Christian McCaffrey ($19 million AAV) and recent free-agent signings like Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry show that elite backs can still command significant deals. Locking Williams in at, say, $10-12 million annually over three or four years could secure a bargain if his production holds.
The Case Against an Extension
Despite Williams’ brilliance, there are valid reasons for hesitation. The Rams have a complicated history with running back contracts, most notably with Todd Gurley. In 2018, they signed Gurley to a then-market-resetting four-year, $57.5 million extension, only to release him two years later after injuries derailed his career. That experience left a scar on the franchise, shifting their philosophy toward relying on rookie-contract backs like Cam Akers, Williams, and now Blake Corum, whom they drafted in the third round in 2024. Paying Williams could disrupt this cost-effective model.
His on-field profile also raises questions. While undeniably productive, Williams isn’t an explosive, breakaway threat. Since 2023, he has just three rushing touchdowns of 10+ yards, compared to 11 for Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs despite Gibbs having 147 fewer carries. Williams excels in short-yardage and goal-line situations—evidenced by the Rams’ 80% power success rate—but lacks the elite speed or elusiveness that often justifies big contracts for running backs. His 4.1 yards-per-carry average in 2024, down from 5.0 in 2023, suggests a dip in efficiency, possibly due to a league-high workload (316 carries in the regular season).
Ball security is another concern. Williams fumbled five times in the regular season and once in the playoffs, including a costly fourth-quarter miscue in the Rams’ 28-22 loss to the Eagles. For a team that prides itself on execution, those mistakes could weigh heavily in negotiations. Additionally, his injury history—ankle issues in 2022 and 2023, plus a broken hand in the 2023 playoffs—reminds us that running backs endure immense physical wear. At 544 carries over the past two years, Williams has already shouldered a massive load, prompting Snead to note the need for a “partner to take some load off of him.”
Then there’s Blake Corum. The rookie from Michigan, while underutilized in 2024 (58 carries for 207 yards), shares a similar skill set to Williams and could emerge as a viable replacement if the Rams opt not to invest long-term. Letting Williams play out 2025 and transitioning to Corum in 2026—or using the franchise tag on Williams that year—could preserve flexibility while avoiding the risk of overpaying at a devalued position.
Striking a Balance
The Rams face a classic NFL dilemma: reward a proven star or stick to a financially prudent strategy? Extending Williams makes sense if they view him as indispensable to their Super Bowl window, particularly with Stafford (turning 37) and Kupp (31, with an uncertain future) nearing the end of their primes. A deal in the $10-12 million annual range—comparable to Joe Mixon or David Montgomery, adjusted for inflation—could be palatable, offering Williams security while keeping the Rams competitive without breaking the bank.
On the flip side, the Rams could let Williams prove his durability and efficiency in 2025, using Corum as insurance. If he thrives, they could tag him or negotiate later; if he falters, they’d avoid a Gurley-like albatross. This approach aligns with the modern NFL’s hesitance to pay running backs early, especially when depth options exist.
Verdict
The Rams should extend Kyren Williams this offseason—but only at the right price. His production, fit, and leadership make him worth keeping, and securing him now could preempt a bidding war in 2026. A three-year, $33 million deal with $22 million guaranteed feels reasonable, balancing his value against the position’s risks. Waiting carries too much upside risk for a player who’s been the backbone of
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