In their first offseason as the NFL's first of two Los Angeles-based franchises, the Rams faced one big decision on two players - how to keep both Trumaine Johnson and Janoris Jenkins. Both cornerbacks are supremely talented and have played very well for the Rams in St. Louis, but with each player set to hit free agency, the Rams decision makers, led by head coach Jeff Fisher and GM Les Snead, had to choose which player they absolutely couldn't live without.
It turns out the answer to that was Johnson.
The Rams tagged Johnson with the non-exclusive designation on Tuesday, all but ensuring that the fifth-year corner will be playing in Los Angeles come the summer. The former third-round pick doesn't have a flashy game and hasn't posted insane stats through his first four years in the league, though he did record a personal best and NFC-leading 7 interceptions in 2015. But he's dependable and, in all likelihood, still an ascending player.
Keeping him was obviously a priority for Fisher and Snead.
Unfortunately, that leaves Jenkins out in the cold. And while the one-time second-round pick has become a productive, high-quality player during his time in the league - he's now got 257 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 10 interceptions and 48 passes defensed through four seasons - it's his off-field personality and almost assuredly exorbitant asking price that's leading the Rams to place their future, and their money, in Johnson's hands instead.
Of course, as Jenkins himself noted on twitter recently, his ability to hold down the fort on one side of the field surely funneled more opportunities for plays to Johnson.
But he's also used the platform to make it clear that he's probably not going to be offering the Rams any discounts anytime soon. And while the Rams have nearly $60 million in cap space, the franchise is facing an offseason of uncertainty and really could go in just about any direction with all that cash.
Either way, with Johnson back in the fold, the Rams and Snead can go back to negotiating with him, as well as with safety/linebacker Mark Barron and even with Jenkins. But if the new league year rolls around and Jenkins remains unsigned, you can bet he's gladly going to take whatever the biggest offer is on the open market.
