The Rams have been one in every of two teams showing considerable interest in A.J. Brown this offseason. Had Los Angeles managed to swing a deal for the Eagles All-Pro, one other wideout trade likely would have taken place.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that in discussions a couple of Brown acquisition, the Rams were “pursuing the chance” of a Davante Adams swap. Dealing Adams to a different team would have helped make a Brown trade more feasible from a financial standpoint, much like how the Colts’ decision to deal away Michael Pittman Jr. eased the cap implications for Alec Pierce‘s recent contract. Nevertheless, Adams stays heading in the right direction for a second Los Angeles campaign.
As detailed in Sam Robinson’s Rams Offseason Outlook, Adams is due a $6MM roster bonus today. Any trade in his case obviously would have been more attractive for the team prior to that payment being made. The 33-year-old can also be owed a base salary of $18MM in 2026. That represents the ultimate 12 months of his contract. A trade would create $20MM in cap savings against $8MM in dead money, but head coach Sean McVay said last month he expected Adams to be retained for next season.
Added in free agency last spring as a Cooper Kupp alternative, the six-time Pro Bowler proved to be an efficient signing for the Rams. Adams caught a league-leading 14 touchdown passes in 2025 and played a key role in helping Los Angeles reach the NFC title game. Expectations will probably be high in his case provided no trade winds up being worked out later within the offseason.
The Rams have Puka Nacua eligible for an extension, one which is able to presumably move him near the highest of the receiver market. A brand new deal in that case, not to say the newest adjustment to quarterback Matthew Stafford‘s pact, will add to the team’s costs on offense. Adams is about to hold a cap charge of $28MM in 2026. Especially if no Brown acquisition is made, though, keeping him may very well be worthwhile.
Los Angeles sent a package including the No. 29 pick in April’s draft to Kansas City for cornerback Trent McDuffie. The Rams still have a first-rounder (No. 13), but no team has been willing to fulfill Philadelphia’s asking price (a Day 1 selection and more) for Brown yet. With a key checkpoint on Adams’ pact now having been reached, he’s increasingly prone to remain in place no matter what happens on the Brown front.