The Los Angeles Rams got started on their spring cleaning early this year, cutting ties with veterans Chris Long, James Laurinaitis and Jared Cook on Friday. All told, the moves create about $23 million in cap space for a team that has important unrestricted free agents to lock up like Trumaine Johnson and Janoris Jenkins.
"This is the time of year when all NFL teams are faced with difficult decisions regarding their veteran players," Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said in a statement announcing the moves. "Chris and James are the epitome of what it means to be a pro in this league and it's been an honor to coach them both. They've been the pillars of our defense for many years and not enough can be said of their love for the game and for their teammates. Beyond the field, they took pride in mentoring the younger players and doing their part to make a real difference in the St. Louis community. We will always be grateful for James and Chris' unselfish commitment to the Rams and wish them the best moving forward."
Long has been with the Rams since they selected him with the second-overall pick in 2008. He had a $2 million roster bonus due on March 11 and a $14.25 million cap number for 2016. Laurinaitis joined the team in the second round the year after. Cook became a Ram in 2013 and, while he added impact in the passing game and set a single season franchise record for receiving yards by a tight end (671), was ultimately a disappointment for a Rams offense that has had far too many of them over the past few years.
With space freed up, expect Fisher and GM Les Snead to lock up Johnson and Jenkins and maybe even release quarterback Nick Foles. Foles' two-year deal, which he signed last year after his trade to the Rams, carries an $8 million dead cap penalty. That's a big chunk of change, but if the Rams are ready to move on, they have the space to make it work.
The Pittsburgh Steelers also lost a longtime contributor on Friday, as 11-year NFL and Steelers veteran Heath Miller announced his retirement.
Miller finishes as the franchise's all-time leader in receptions (592), receiving yards (6,569) and receiving touchdowns (45) by a tight end.
