Rams’ O.J. Atogwe Might Not Be Theirs for Much Longer
According to Steve Wyche of NFL.com, current St. Louis Rams safety O.J. Atogwe is not expected to sign his restricted free agent tender (for $1.2 million) anytime soon, and will likely be released into free agency.
Because Atogwe was given the lowest tender (right of first refusal), the Rams still hold negotiating rights with him. But if June 1st comes and goes and no deal is signed, they must either offer him a contract equaling 110 percent of last season’s salary ($6.3 million to nearly $7 million) to keep him around, or release him.
Atogwe is a very good safety, but $7 million might be a bit much — especially for a guy who really doesn’t seem like he wants to be there.
If he and the Rams cannot come to a deal and he hits the market, it’s unknown how much interest he would actually garner around the league. The Philadelphia Eagles were rumored to be interested in swinging a trade for him when free agency got underway, but that never happened and they recently drafted a safety in the second round of the draft.
That doesn’t mean they still couldn’t target Atogwe, but it certainly makes it much less likely.
The Arizona Cardinals were hurting after Antrel Rolle jumped ship for the Giants in the offseason, but they swung a trade for Kerry Rhodes from the Jets and would likely have no interest in Atogwe.
The Cowboys, Falcons, Browns, Chiefs, and Jets could all use an upgrade at safety, so there could likely be a mini bidding war for Atogwe depending upon on how teams truly feel about the veterans they already have and the young guys they picked up through the draft and afterwards.
The Baltimore Ravens could also be a team to watch if Ed Reed isn’t quite as healthy as we’re hearing.
Atogwe will certainly have no trouble finding a job, but if he wants to finally play on a good football team he might be forced to accept a bit of a pay-cut or take an incentive-laden deal. Teams usually like what they have at this point in the season and it might be difficult to convince them that he’s an improvement over the rookie they’ve fallen in love with.