Joel Corry· Sep 4, 2026
In a salary-cap breakdown of the Rams' Super Bowl-or-bust roster, the piece forecasts several contract outcomes: Myles Garrett's deal being renegotiated as soon as next year, Puka Nacua as a franchise tag candidate, four members of the 2023 draft class playing out their rookie deals, and Matthew Stafford retiring in 2028.
“Nacua is a prime franchise tag candidate.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
7 checkable claims — 7 trade and signing calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 7 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
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Who this take is about
7 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
Myles Garrett to move to Los Angeles Rams
“it wouldn't be surprising for his deal to be renegotiated as early as next year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Steve Avila to move to Los Angeles Rams
“offensive guard Steve Avila, wide receiver Puka Nacua, defensive tackle Kobie Turner, and edge rusher Byron Young ... are probably going to play out their rookie contracts because of salary cap constraints”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Puka Nacua to move to Los Angeles Rams
“offensive guard Steve Avila, wide receiver Puka Nacua, defensive tackle Kobie Turner, and edge rusher Byron Young ... are probably going to play out their rookie contracts because of salary cap constraints”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kobie Turner to move to Los Angeles Rams
“offensive guard Steve Avila, wide receiver Puka Nacua, defensive tackle Kobie Turner, and edge rusher Byron Young ... are probably going to play out their rookie contracts because of salary cap constraints”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Byron Young to move to Los Angeles Rams
“offensive guard Steve Avila, wide receiver Puka Nacua, defensive tackle Kobie Turner, and edge rusher Byron Young ... are probably going to play out their rookie contracts because of salary cap constraints”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Puka Nacua to move to Los Angeles Rams
“Nacua is a prime franchise tag candidate. Next year's wide receiver tag should be in the neighborhood of $29 million”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Matthew Stafford to move to Los Angeles Rams
“Things should get interesting for the Rams in 2028. That's the logical time for Stafford to hang up his football cleats, given how his contract is structured.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Connor RogersGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles RamsHit · 100Rogers made his own Week 2 calls, taking the Packers, Eagles (by at least 10), Panthers (by at least a field goal), Cowboys (by at least six), Chargers, Chiefs and Rams to win. He also noted Baltimore was his Super Bowl pick and said it wouldn't shock him if Jacksonville hosted the AFC Championship Game.
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Los Angeles RamsClose · 57Simms went through every Week 2 game with predicted final scores, picking the Texans, Bears, Steelers (as an upset), Packers, Ravens, Eagles, Buccaneers, Panthers, Jaguars, Seahawks, Cowboys, 49ers, Chargers, Chiefs and Rams to win. He also reiterated that Denver was his preseason Super Bowl pick while predicting the Broncos would fall to 0-2.
- Chris LongGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles RamsHit · 100Previewing Week 2, Long called New England a spot to bounce back against Pittsburgh, projected a 27-14 Patriots win, saw Eagles-Titans as a 23-10 grinder, liked the Rams' spot Monday night against the Giants, and wrote down a Bills 31, Lions 23 final for the Thursday nighter.
- Chris LongGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles RamsMiss · 0Long liked the Rams over the Broncos on Sunday night even without Puka Nacua, and expected the Bills to beat the winless Chargers in Buffalo. He also backed the Bengals over the Steelers, expected an angry Detroit team to handle the Jets, and still thought both the Lions and Vikings could win the NFC North.
- Matt HarmonGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles RamsHit · 100Harmon picked the Bengals to beat the Texans in Week 2, expecting Nico Collins to miss the game with a hamstring injury, and also predicted the Titans would be shut out by the Eagles. He took the Rams over the Giants, the Bears over the Vikings, and the Jaguars at Denver.
- Nate TiceGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles RamsHit · 100Tice picked the Bengals over the Texans in a low-scoring game, the Jaguars at Denver, the Bears over the Vikings, the Patriots over the Steelers and the Rams to edge the Giants, and his Hail Mary was the Cowboys scoring 40 on Washington. He also floated Abdul Carter as a possible All-Pro.
More trade and signing calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Fox SportsTrade and Signing Calls · Austin EkelerMiss · 0The piece reports, citing ESPN, that Carolina is expected to sign veteran running back Austin Ekeler with Jonathon Brooks sidelined.
- Steve KubitzaTrade and Signing Calls · Za'Darius SmithHit · 100Kubitza suggests that Kevin Stefanski's Falcons may lure veteran pass rusher Za'Darius Smith away from Cleveland, signing him in Atlanta instead of the Browns.
- Mary Kay CabotTrade and Signing Calls · Za'Darius SmithMiss · 0Cabot reported that Za'Darius Smith is expected to sign with the Browns, possibly as early as Sunday, after working out for the team.
- Brandon CarneyTrade and Signing Calls · Austin EkelerMiss · 0Carney drafted a team of rookies he expects to make an immediate fantasy impact (headlined by Karnell Tate and Makai Lemon), predicted landing spots for the remaining big-name free agents, and gave way-too-early division winners, wild cards and award picks — Patriots, Chargers, Bengals, Jaguars, Eagles, Rams, Vikings and Saints as division champs with Joe Burrow as MVP.
- Adam CarlsonTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Carlson names three Vikings he expects could be traded before the end of September: quarterback J.J. McCarthy, wide receiver Jordan Addison and linebacker Ivan Pace.
- Greg AumanTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Auman argues no quarterback is likely to replicate Sam Darnold's turnaround this season, but names five candidates. He expects Miami to hold a very high pick in the 2027 draft, and thinks J.J. McCarthy will eventually be traded for a late-round pick or cut by the Vikings.