Left tackle Jake Long was supposed to be one of the final pieces of the puzzle for the St. Louis Rams. At least, that's what the team thought when they signed him to a four-year deal worth $34 million back in 2013.
But now, approaching his 30th birthday with a lingering injury history, Long may soon be long gone in St. Louis.
"Like Sam Bradford, Long is also coming off a second straight season-ending knee injury," ESPN Rams reporter Nick Wagoner wrote. "Unlike Bradford, though, there's no guarantee that Long will return. Long has not spoken to the media since the injury. There have been rumors of his considering retirement, but recent momentum points toward his attempted return. Either way, it would be crazy for the Rams to bring Long back at such a high price. They could attempt to come up with a new deal for him, but if they did they'd have to find a new position for him with coach Jeff Fisher committed to Greg Robinson as his left tackle. The Rams could save $8 million with an outright release or more than $9 million if they designate him a post-June 1 cut. Regardless, this seems like the easiest and quickest way to save a big chunk of money."
Not everyone is convinced that Long's release is a slam dunk, however.
"He has missed 10 games over the past two seasons because of knee injuries, and is coming off his second anterior cruciate ligament surgery in less than a calendar year's time," Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wrote. "If coach Jeff Fisher sticks with his plan to keep Greg Robinson as the team's starting left tackle, Long could end up shifting to right tackle or guard.
"In the third year of a four-year deal, Long counts $10.5 million against the cap and is scheduled to make $9.25 million in base salary this year. The Rams could seek a restructure."
Long, the first pick in the 2008 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins, has made four Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams in his career. However, he has not appeared in a full 16 games since 2011. Despite the appeal of a Robinson-Long anchored offensive line, the latter brings too many questions and is too expensive to be counted on consistently going forward.
