As the Los Angeles Rams inch closer to training camp, the team and star running back Kyren Williams remain engaged in contract extension talks. While there’s optimism that a deal could get done before the start of the regular season, don’t expect the Rams to pay Williams at the top of the running back market.
The two sides first began discussions at the NFL’s annual league meeting this spring, when Williams’ agent Drew Rosenhaus opened negotiations with the Rams’ front office. According to The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue, the fact that talks have continued into the summer is a strong indication that a deal could come together—just not at Christian McCaffrey or Saquon Barkley money.
Rams, Kyren Williams Continue Extension Talks—But Don’t Expect Top-Dollar
“The Rams will not pay top-market money for a running back,” Rodrigue reported, “but Williams is a team leader and one of the more productive at his position in the NFL.”
That dynamic sets the stage for what could be a tricky negotiation: rewarding one of the league’s most consistent backs without making the same mistake the Rams did with Todd Gurley in 2018, whose massive extension quickly soured due to injuries and a steep decline in performance.
Williams has done his part to prove he’s more than just a flash-in-the-pan. He tied for third in the NFL in rushing touchdowns last season (14), ranked seventh in total rushing yards (1,299), and did it all while serving as a vocal leader and do-it-all option in Sean McVay’s system. He’s not a breakaway back in the mold of McCaffrey, but his production, pass protection, and reliability in short-yardage situations make him essential to the Rams’ offense.
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Still, Los Angeles appears firm in its approach: Williams won’t reset the market. The expectation, per Rodrigue, is that a “compromise” could be reached, and that training camp is the most likely timeline for such a deal to come together—just as it has in previous extensions under McVay and general manager Les Snead.
Historically, the Rams have used training camp as the window for wrapping up major extensions, including deals with Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald. That pattern suggests the team is content letting negotiations unfold slowly, with the hope of finalizing something before Week 1.
In the meantime, Williams continues to handle the situation professionally. He’s shown up, participated fully in OTAs, and avoided any public pressure tactics. “Kyren’s done everything in his power to show up, be that pro, that leader — everything we’ve asked,” McVay said in June.
While there’s no immediate urgency—Williams is under contract through the end of the 2025 season thanks to a proven performance escalator that boosts his salary to $5.35 million this year—there is incentive on both sides to get a deal done sooner rather than later.
If Williams delivers another All-Pro level campaign, his value could rise further in a running back market that’s already showing signs of softening for teams but remains volatile for players. With several other young backs like Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker approaching their own extensions, waiting could make negotiations more complicated next offseason.
For now, the Rams appear content to let the clock tick toward training camp, knowing that history—and a desire to avoid distractions—could push both sides toward a compromise deal. Just don’t expect Kyren Williams to become the league’s highest-paid running back. That was never going to be a part of the equation.
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