The Los Angeles Rams’ offseason will be critical given the resources they have to spend and the pressing nature of Matthew Stafford’s closing act. In the twilight of his career, managing a Super Bowl window and a sustainable future means walking a tightrope for the next few months.
Los Angeles is expected to be one of free agency’s biggest spenders, and their transactions have already begun.
The Rams released center Brian Allen and have had preliminary conversations with Coleman Shelton, who replaced him, in an attempt to work on an extension. They also re-signed receiver Demarcus Robinson.
On Saturday, Los Angeles brought Robinson back with a one-year deal worth $5 million, per Ian Rapoport.
According to some, that wasn’t enough. Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill took to social media after the signing.
“My boy D-Rob been like that stop playing with him,” he posted to X (formerly Twitter). “He deserves more.”
Tracing back Hill’s response to a receiver that isn’t on most radars means backtracking to 2016. Robinson and Hill were rookies on the 2016 Kansas City Chiefs and remained teammates through the 2021 season.
As such, both are one-time Super Bowl champions, having departed before Kansas City kicked off its ongoing stretch of Super Bowl victories. Robinson left in free agency, leaving for the Baltimore Ravens. He spent a year there before signing another one-year deal in Los Angeles. Hill, meanwhile, was traded to the Dolphins where he has continued to dominate as the game’s quintessential deep threat.
Robinson had a strong season in 2023, even if he wasn’t asked to do much. He was the team’s fourth receiver entering the season and made his biggest impact when slot receiver Tutu Atwell went down with an injury.
Robinson finished his age-29 season with 26 catches for 371 yards and four scores. From Week 13 to Week 16, he logged at least 44 yards and a touchdown in each week. In Week 17, he couldn’t find the end zone but saw a season-high 92 receiving yards.
Whether his deal is too much or too little is between Robinson, his agent, and perhaps his former teammate. But it’s a deal that sets the expectation for Robinson – a depth role on a quality offense – while also rewarding him for his contributions last season.
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