Los Angeles Rams: Chris Long should be released

The longest tenured player on the Los Angeles Rams, defensive end Chris Long was drafted second overall in 2008 and has had some good, though not spectacular, seasons since. Sadly, his Twitter expertise won’t be enough to save him from more than likely being released this off-season.

After starting every game at left defensive end for the then St. Louis Rams from 2010-2013, Chris Long has suffered through two injury prone seasons, playing in 18 games and starting just 11. In that time he’s recorded a paltry 24 tackles, four sacks and a forced fumble. All while making $25.4 million. He’ll count $14.25 million against the cap in 2016, but not if the Rams cut him, he’ll only count $2.5 million in dead money, a difference of nearly $12 million, in what would’ve been the last year of his contract signed in 2012.

#Rams DE Chris Long has a cap hit of $14,250,000 for '16 as of 3/11/16. Currently highest cap hit for LA. Could be a restructure/cut cand.
— Doug Moore (@DMooreNFL) January 26, 2016

Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long (91) runs onto the field prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

And fortunately for the Rams, the team has plenty of other options when it comes to pass rushers.

Phenom Robert Quinn, who himself was bitten by the injury bug this season, will be only 26 come next season, and figures to return to his right defensive end spot at full force. While the team will have to make a decision on whether to re-sign either William Hayes or Eugene Sims, the former appears the most likely.

Also in the mix is former undrafted free agent Ethan Westbrooks. And that doesn’t take into account the likelihood of a pass rusher being selected in the 2016 NFL Draft, whether it be an early-round guy such as Florida’s Jonathan Bullard, or be it the team’s customary later-round selection.

In the last couple of years, the Rams have spent consecutive seventh-round selections on defensive ends Michael Sam and Martin Ifedi from Missouri and Memphis, respectively.

First draft pick for the Los Angeles Rams? @PFF_Steve says Florida DE/DT Jonathan Bullard in his latest Mock Draft: https://t.co/sC0gZTwxAK
— PFF (@PFF) January 15, 2016

The team simply has too many other options to keep around an aging, injury prone, shell of a player. As it wasn’t just injuries that kept Long off of the field in 2015. It was clear he no longer had the capabilities he once did. Noticeably slower and less reacting. And while Long has stated he’s open to taking a pay cut, it’s hard to see the Rams being interested in paying more than a few million for a rotational lineman.

Chris Long open to a pay cut to make the move with the #Rams to L.A. #NFL https://t.co/R6rs0GrPST
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) January 20, 2016

Another thought about Chris Long and his willingness to take a pay cut.. I can’t see paying more than $3M for a rotational DE at this point.
— SeattleRams (@seattlerams_nfl) January 20, 2016

More nfl spin zone: Here are 5 players the Rams must keep

It’s unfortunate the Rams couldn’t give Chris Long a winning season during his prime years. And it will be sad to see him go, but winning teams make the hard, right decisions, and letting Long go would be the right decision. Besides, we’d all still be able to enjoy his twitter antics.

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Los Angeles Rams: Chris Long Has Fallen (And Won’t Get Up)

By Michael Smith | Jan 29, 2016

The longest tenured player on the Los Angeles Rams, defensive end Chris Long was drafted second overall in 2008 and has had some good, though not spectacular, seasons since. Sadly, his Twitter expertise won’t be enough to save him from more than likely being released this off-season.