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NFL Columnist Poses Bold Question Regarding Rams' Rising Star

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Hunter Muro | Last updated Apr 13, 2025 2:57 PM ET

The Los Angeles Rams have reaped the benefits of a healthy Kyren Williams over the last two seasons. However, as the 2022 fifth-round pick out of Notre Dame enters the final year of his rookie contract, NFL.com columnist Jeffri Chadiha is posing a burning question to the Rams: "What is the team going to do about Kyren Williams?"

"Rams GM Les Snead told reporters at the Annual League Meeting that there should be no confusion about how the Rams feel about their standout running back," Chadia wrote in an article for NFL.com. "They want Williams, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, to stick around Los Angeles for a long time."

While running backs have become far more replaceable in recent years, Williams has more than pulled his own weight, racking up 2,831 yards from scrimmage and 31 total touchdowns over the last two seasons.

Chadiha asserts that while he may not be at the pinnacle of the position, he's more than deserving of a second contract.

"Even as we’re seeing a renaissance for running backs, it’s also true that each back’s worth comes down to individual situations," he wrote. "Williams isn’t in the same class as Saquon Barkley, whose new deal equates to an average annual salary of $20.6 million. However, it’s easy to see him having value somewhere between Green Bay’s Josh Jacobs ($12 million annually) and Houston’s Joe Mixon ($9.875 million)."

Williams has been a focal point for an offense that finished 20th in scoring last season at 21.6 points per game. Another year of steady production that helps improve that mark could make the Rams' decision regarding a second contract an easy one.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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