This offseason is already seeing some changes throughout the Los Angeles Rams’ roster as the team has traded guard Jonah Jackson and wide receiver Cooper Kupp is expected to be dealt as well. The futures of a couple of veterans in tight end Tyler Higbee and offensive lineman Rob Havenstein were unclear, however.
Higbee and Havenstein are two of the longest tenured members of the roster and important leaders within the Rams’ locker room. But both are also entering the final season of their current contracts and are coming off years that were hampered by injury. But head coach Sean McVay just let it be known that both are expected to be back with the team in 2025.
“Yeah, that’s the full expectation,” McVay said in a press conference on Monday. “Those guys are instrumental to our success. I thought both of them played at a really high level. Obviously, some of the injuries they both worked through… but when those guys were on the football field for us, we were a different offense.
“You could tangibly feel the difference that Higbee made when he came back from the Jets game on. When Rob was in there, the leadership, the production, the overall toughness and competitiveness was outstanding. Both of those guys we fully expect back.”
Higbee missed the majority of 2024 after tearing his ACL and MCL in the Rams’ 2023 playoff contest, appearing in just three games during the regular season. But in the playoffs he was huge for McVay’s offense, totaling 12 catches for 112 yards in two games, both higher than his regular season totals, to go along with a touchdown.
Havenstein missed five games last season and the Rams struggled to replace him at right tackle when he was out, but when on the field the veteran solidified the offensive line. And as McVay noted, the leadership within the locker room that both he and Higbee provide is extremely valuable for this team.
There will certainly be some changes for the Rams, but having a couple players like Higbee and Havenstein remaining as contributors and leaders will greatly help maintain the standards within the organization.
Matthew Stafford agrees to restructured contract with Rams
Another player that it seemed would be traded away was starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was given permission by the Rams to speak with other teams and gauge his value as he eyed a new contract. But ultimately Stafford and the Rams were able to agree on a restructured deal to keep him in L.A.
Stafford was set to earn just $27 million in 2025, well below what a starting quarterback of his caliber is getting paid elsewhere around the league. Stafford has proven over the past couple years that he is very deserving to be amongst those highest-paid players at his position, and while the numbers remain to be seen, he should be getting a significant raise from his old deal.