Alright, you gotta be kidding me. Ty Simpson, the Rams’ 13th overall pick, is now officially the *last man standing* when it comes to unsigned first-round selections in the entire league. This isn’t some wild card pick or a late-round flyer. This is a top-15 talent, and his contract drama is dragging on way too long. The money? We know it’s a done deal, fully guaranteed, thanks to the rookie pay scale in the CBA. So what in the world is causing this mess? The Rams are saying it’s all about “contract language.” Seriously?
“Contract Language” Is Making This Deal a Nightmare
When you hear “contract language” after the money and guarantees are locked, your spider-sense should be tingling. This isn’t just boilerplate; it’s a fight. Fernando Mendoza, the first overall pick, just sealed his four-year, $57 million deal with the Raiders without all this fuss. He signed on Thursday, taking away the “last two unsigned” tag and leaving Simpson twisting in the wind. The only other unsigned rookies in the entire NFL are quarterback Drew Allar and edge rusher Gabe Jacas, who weren’t even first-rounders. This is a bad look for the Rams, especially since the team doesn’t usually make first-round picks anyway, making this situation even more frustrating.
Offsets: The Real Battleground and The Rams’ Own History
So, what’s the actual fight inside that “contract language”? Blaine Grisak got some insight from CBS Sports’ Joel Corry, and it boils down to one word: “offsets.” Corry figures Simpson’s camp is pushing for the Rams to extend the “2024 quarterback payment convention” to him. Why? Because he was drafted just one spot lower than Nix. Now, here’s the kicker: nearly every team in the NFL, even for their top-10 draft picks, requires “offsets” with salary guarantees. It’s pretty standard practice around the league. But the Jaguars and the Rams? They’re the rare exceptions.
Corry didn’t stop there. He went straight to the heart of the matter, stating that based on the Rams’ *own* past practices, Simpson’s contract absolutely *should not* contain offsets. Remember Jared Verse, the edge rusher they picked up in 2024 as the 19th overall selection? His deal didn’t have offsets in his salary guarantees. The precedent is set! So if the Rams didn’t demand them for a 19th pick, why are they suddenly playing hardball with their 13th overall pick? It just doesn’t add up.
Saturday Is Coming: Will Simpson Be There?
This isn’t some abstract negotiation; training camp is staring everyone down. The Rams are set to report to camp this Saturday. With Ty Simpson still unsigned and this “contract language” fight dragging on, you have to ask the big question: Will he even be there? Missing camp, especially for a top rookie, is not how you want to start your NFL career. The clock is ticking, and the pressure is mounting for the Rams to get their guy locked down. What a mess.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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