Pair of Rams Pre Season Games Set For National Broadcast

San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Deebo Samuel has requested a trade amid contract disputes. Samuel is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is hoping to be paid top dollar before the start of the 2022 season.

The asking price for Samuel would be at least a first-round pick. 

Samuel, 26 has become one of the more explosive offensive weapons over the past two years.

Utilized in both the slot and in the run game, the former second-round pick considers himself to be a "wide back" due to his multitude of roles in Kyle Shanahan's offense.

Samuel is coming off a breakout campaign in which he helped San Francisco reach the NFC Championship Game. 

He finished fifth in receiving with 1,405 yards, six touchdown receptions and eight rushing title touchdowns — a new NFL single-season record for a receiver.

APRIL 19 RAMS OFFICIALLY SIGN WOLFORD The Los Angeles Rams officially signed quarterback John Wolford a contract on Tuesday, cementing him as Matthew Stafford's backup for the coming season. 

Wolford was an exclusive rights free agent for the Rams, meaning he is a player that has accrued two or fewer seasons in the NFL with an expired contract. Should a team choose to extend a qualifying offer to an exclusive rights free agent, which is worth the league minimum, that player is not able to negotiate with other teams.

Upon signing with the Rams and becoming Jared Goff's backup, Wolford immediately became a fan favorite. Wolford did start one game in place of an injured Jared Goff that inspired confidence in the quarterback, against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17 of the 2020 season.

His lone start against the Cardinals saw Wolford complete 22 of 38 passes for 231 yards and an interception while adding 56 rushing yards on six carries as well.

In 2021, Wolford 1 of 4 pass attempts for five yards in three games.

While Wolford may not be an elite quarterback ready to lead a franchise, he is the perfect backup to have for emergency starts should Stafford get hurt, which is why it makes perfect sense for him and the Rams to run it back in 2022. 

APRIL 16 RAMS WAIVE ORR, TENDER HOWARD The Los Angeles Rams made a pair of minor transactions on Saturday, waiving defensive back Kareem Orr, and signing linebacker Travin Howard to a restricted free agent tender. 

A former seventh-round pick by the Rams, Howard played in 12 games with two starts last season for Los Angeles, making 21 tackles and intercepting one pass in the regular season. 

Howard also helped get the Rams to the Super Bowl, intercepting 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo late in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship Game.

Orr had four tackles in two games last season.

APRIL 14 MATT GAY SIGNS RFA TENDER Rams Kicker Matt Gay has reportedly signed his restricted free agent tender, per the team.

Gay has spent the last two seasons in Los Angeles and made 94 percent of his field goal attempts last season. 

APRIL 9 REEDER TO LA, With Chargers The Los Angeles Chargers have agreed to terms with former Rams linebacker Troy Reeder on a 1-Year deal, according to reports. 

Reeder originally signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent out of Delaware and went on to play in all 16 games as a rookie, starting eight and finishing the year with 58 tackles.

In 2020, Reeder once again saw action in 16 games, starting seven, and finished the year with 81 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks

Reeder was a key member of the Rams' Super Bowl run, starting 10 games in 17 appearances, and finishing the year with 91 tackles, six tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, and two sacks.

The 27-year-old also had two interceptions and six pass deflections in 2021, and started three of the Rams' four playoff games.

APRIL 6 RAMS FINALIZE STAFF The Rams announced their finalized coaching staff for the 2022 season on Wednesday afternoon, including new additions and title changes. 

You can view the entire staff below: 

Offensive Coordinator - Liam Coen* 

Defensive Coordinator - Raheem Morris 

Special Teams Coordinator - Joe DeCamillis 

Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends Coach - Thomas Brown+ 

Inside Linebackers Coach - Chris Beake* 

Coaching Fellow Kenneth Black* 

Outside Linebackers Coach - Thad Bogardus+ 

Offensive Line Coach - Kevin Carberry 

Defensive Backs Coach - Jonathan Cooley+ 

Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach - Eric Henderson 

Offensive Assistant - Nick Jones 

Defensive Assistant - Skyler Jones*

 Offensive Assistant - Zak Kromer 

Senior Offensive Assistant - Greg Olson* 

Offensive Assistant - Jake Peetz* 

Pass Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach - Zac Robinson+ 

Running Backs Coach - Ra'Shaad Samples* 

Defensive Assistant - Lance Schulters+ 

Pass Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach + Chris Shula+ 

Special Teams Assistant - Jeremy Springer* 

Wide Receivers Coach - Eric Yarber

* denotes new coach

+ denotes new position

APRIL 5 HEKKER REPLACEMENT FOUND The Los Angeles Rams have finally found their replacement for long-time punter Johnny Hekker, who was cut by the team due to salary cap ramifications in March, in former Giants punter Riley Dixon.

Dixon spent the last four seasons in New York after being drafted by the Broncos in 2016. Dixon spent two years with Denver before and was traded to the Giants in 2018.

APRIL 4 PART OF BOBBY WAGNER CONTRACT DETAILS EMERGE The Los Angeles Rams made yet another splash in free agency last week, when they signed former Seahawks star Bobby Wagner to a five-year, $50 Million deal.

The exact details of that deal have still not been revealed, leading many to speculate on the amount of guaranteed money, as well as incentives and the cap ramifications. 

On Monday, however, one stipulation in that contract was finally uncovered, with reports surfacing that Wagner is set to earn just $6.5 million in 2022 - a major positive for the Rams, who will be strapped for cap space heading forward in the offseason. 

APRIL 1 OFF-SEASON CAMP SCHEDULE RELEASED The Los Angeles Rams enter the off-season looking to defend their first Super Bowl title under Sean McVay. 

And on Friday, the first dates for the offseason camp schedule were revealed.

The first date of camp will begin on April 18, while OTAs will take from May 23-24, on May 26, and from May 31-June 2.

Mandatory Minicamp will run June 7-9. 

There has been no release of training camp dates as of yet. 

MARCH 28 DRAFT ‘24 SET: The NFL has allotted the 2024 NFL Draft to the city of Detroit. The Motor City wins the right over other cities such as Green Bay and Washington, D.C.

On Thursday, it was announced that Kansas City would be the location of the 2023 NFL Draft following its pitch over Green Bay and several other cities. The event is set to take place on April 27-29. 

The 2022 NFL Draft will be held in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 28 and will continue through Saturday, April 30. 

MARCH 24 DRAFT ‘23 SET: The NFL has now locked into the dates for the 2023 Draft, scheduled to take place in Kansas City, announcing it will be held April 27-29.

Kansas City was selected as the host city for the 2023 event three years ago.

“This will be one of the biggest and most-anticipated professional sporting events our city has hosted,” Kathy Nelson, president and CEO of the Kansas City Sports Commission and Visit KC, said in a statement.

This year’s NFL Draft will be held in Las Vegas on April 28-30.

MARCH 20 RAMS RETAIN RETURN SPECIALIST The Los Angeles Rams have had a busy weekend thus far, re-signing quarterback Matthew Stafford and trading wideout Robert Woods on Saturday. 

However, there was another move made by the Rams that flew a bit under the radar as well, with Los Angeles electing to re-sign return specialist Brandon Powell to a one-year deal. 

Powell initially joined the Rams in November when he was signed to the practice squad, but quickly became part of the special teams unit. 

In his short stint with the team, Powell averaged 26.0 yards on eight kick returns and 22.2 yards on six punt returns. He also had a 61-yard touchdown in Week 16. 

Powell was also effective in the postseason, returning nine punts for 104 yards and five kicks for 88 yards. Powell has not caught a pass with the Rams.

MARCH 16 JULIO JONES CUT The greatest receiver in Falcons franchise history, Julio Jones, did not turn out to be that for the Titans, who have just decided to cut the long-time standout.

Jones forced his way out of Atlanta last spring, the Falcons getting second- and fourth-round picks for the veteran receiver. And what did the Titans get? Jones. 33, had the worst statistical season of his career, totaling 31 receptions for 434 yards and only one touchdown.

Jones, a seven-time Pro Bowler, is expected to be release with a post-June 1 designation, saving the team roughly $9.5 million in cap space.

MARCH 16 MR. JONES HEADS TO THE WEST....THE AFC WEST

The Las Vegas Raiders are signing Arizona Cardinals pass rusher Chandler Jones to a multi-year deal. In a corresponding move, the Indianapolis Colts are trading for defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. 

Jones, 32, became an All-Pro pass rusher following a trade from the New England Patriots in 2016. In six seasons with the Cardinals, Jones recorded 262 tackles, 71.5 sacks, 23 forced fumbles and 19 pass deflections. 

Jones is currently one of six active players with over 100 sacks for their careers at 115.5. Others include Los Angeles Rams Von Miller (115.5), New Orleans Saints' Cameron Jordan (107), Baltimore Ravens' Justin Houston (102),  Arizona Cardinals J.J. Watt (102) and Chicago Bears' Robert Quinn (101). . 

The Raiders are also expected to be in play for both cornerback Stephon Gilmore and safety Tyrann Mathieu. 

MARCH 16 RAMS TENDER LB HOWARD The Los Angeles Rams have decided to attempt to retain restricted free agents on Wednesday, placing an original round tender on linebacker Travin Howard.

Should a team attempt to outbid the Rams offer, they would owe the Rams a seventh-round pick in exchange, should Los Angeles elect not to match the offer. 

Howard played a key role in the Rams Super Bowl run last season, intercepting 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo late in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship game. 

He played in 12 regular season games for the Rams in 2021. 

MARCH 14 RAMS RE-SIGN OL COLEMAN SHELTON The Rams retained some depth to their offensive line room on Monday afternoon, re-signing reserve offensive lineman Coleman Shelton to a two-year deal. 

Shelton was a restricted free agent heading into the offseason, with the Rams deciding not to tender him, making him an unrestricted free agent. 

Shelton can play multiple positions along the front, including both center and guard. He could also potentially be a replacement for Austin Corbett, who likewise is a free agent. 

Coleman Shelton

Coleman Shelton

Coleman Shelton

MARCH 14 COWBOY CEDRICK HEADS TO AFC EAST The Miami Dolphins are signing former Dallas Cowboys receiver Cedrick Wilson to a three-year deal. He is expected to earn $22.8 million; $12.75 million is fully guaranteed. 

A reliable No. 4 receiver in Dallas, Wilson posted a career-best in 2021. He tallied 45 catches for 602 and six touchdowns while averaging 13.2 yards per catch. The Cowboys were hopeful to come to terms with Wilson and fellow receiver Michael Gallup following the trade of Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns. 

Miami is hopeful Wilson can be a stronger option than former Texans receiver Will Fuller. Signed to a one-year, $10.5 million deal, Fuller played in two games, recording four catches for 26 yards. 

MARCH 14 RAMS KEEP STAPLE OF OFFENSIVE LINE The L.A. Rams have signed center Brian Allen to a three-year deal worth $24 million. The Rams' fourth-round pick (111th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft has chosen to remain in Los Angeles. This means the offensive line that helps the Rams to a Super Bowl LVI win last month will remain largely intact as the team attempts to "keep the band together to run it back."

MARCH 14 FREE SAFETY REMAINS IN PACIFIC NORTHWEST The Seattle Seahawks have agreed to terms with free safety Quandre Diggs on a three-year extension worth $40 million. Diggs has taken over as the long-term replacement for Earl Thomas and will pair alongside Pro Bowl strong safety Jamal Adams. 

Since being traded by the Detroit Lions, Diggs has become one of the more consistent free safeties in the sport. In Seattle, Diggs has recorded 13 interceptions, including five in each of the past two years. He suffered a season-ending leg injury in the final game of last season, but is expected to be ready for Week 1. 

Diggs, 29, last season recorded two picks against Rams' quarterback Matthew Stafford. In two games against Los Angeles, he recorded nine tackles and three pass breakups as well. 

MARCH 14 FORMER No. 2 PICK GETS SECOND SHOT IN PITTSBURGH

The Pittsburgh Steelers are singing former No. 2 pick Mitchell Trubisky to a two-year contract. Trubisky last played for the Buffalo Bills and was drafted initially by the Chicago Bears in 2017. 

In four seasons with Chicago, Trubisky posted a 29-21 record and threw for 10,652 yards, 64 touchdowns and 38 interceptions. He completed 64.4 percent of his passes. Last season with the Bills, Trubisky completed 75 percent of his passing backing up Josh Allen  

The Steelers are replacing 18-year veteran Ben Roethlisberger, who elected to retire following the 2021 season. Pittsburgh has yet to have a losing season under Mike Tomlin and made the postseason at 9-7-1 last fall. 

MARCH 14 NOTE-BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE The Rams are bringing back offensive tackle Joe Noteboom on three-year deal worth $40 million. Noteboom, 26, is expected to be the long-term option at left tackle once Andrew Whitworth calls it a career for good. 

A former third-round pick from TCU, Noteboom has played four different positions on the offensive line. Last season following an injury to Whitworth, Noteboom filled in at left tackle. He is guaranteed $25 million and can make a max value of $47.5 million.

MARCH 13 PSYCH! BRADY'S BACK! Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady announced on social media that he is un-retiring and returning to the Bucs for his 23rd NFL season.

Tom Brady

Tom Brady

Tom Brady talking with Bruce Arians

Brady announced his retirement two months ago, but revealed that he didn't want to part ways with the game just yet.

These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands. That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business LFG

MAR 10 CHARGERS BOLT UP PASS RUSH The Chicago Bears are trading Pro Bowl pass rusher Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for draft capital. According to ESPN, the Bears will receive Los Angeles’ second-round pick (No. 48) and a 2023 sixth-round pick, pending a physical from Mack.

Mack, 31, is coming off a career-worst with Chicago, but still is regarded as one of the top pass rushers in the game. Last season in seven games, he recorded 19 total tackles, six tackles for loss and six sacks. Mack was placed on the injured reserve following a season-ending foot injury that required surgery.

With the addition of Mack, Chargers’ coach Brandon Staley will continue to run his defense in a 3-4 approach with an emphasis on attacking the quarterback. Last season, Chargers’ standout Joey Bosa recorded 51 total tackles and 10.5 sacks. Los Angeles finished middle of the pack in sacks with only 35.

The Bears, now led by former Indianapolis Colts’ defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, will now have two second-round picks to build around second-year QB Justin Fields.

MAR 10 7:50 AM RAMS ADD LB HINES The Rams added some depth to their linebacker room on Wednesday night, signing Anthony Hines to a reserve/futures contract. 

Hines is now a part of the 90-man roster and will have to compete for a job on the final 53-man roster next fall. 

Hines was signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M last season. 

MAR 8 12:47 PM The Rams NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks will have a new man under center in 2022. 

On Tuesday morning, Russell Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos in one of the biggest trades in NFL History. 

The Seahawks had been in the midst of negotiations will Wilson for weeks, with Wilson sitting as the focus of trade rumors around the NFL, including with the Washington Commanders, Houston Texans, and many more. 

Wilson now becomes the second major quarterback domino to fall on Tuesday, following the Packers extension of Aaron Rogers, which made him the highest-paid player in NFL history. 

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford will likely be the next quarterback to land a lucrative extension, while Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson could be the next prominent signal-callers to be on the move via the trade market. 

MAR 1 NEW RB COACH CANDIDATE? In search of a new running backs coach to fill the void left by recently promoted Thomas Brown, the Los Angeles Rams have begun to target various names across the country, including a pair of rising stars in the college game in TCU's Ra'Shaad Samples, and most recently, Memphis' Anthony Jones Jr. 

Jones has been with the Tigers since the 2017 season and has helped his team reach five-consecutive bowl games in that time. 

So far during his tenure in Memphis, Jones accumulated some impressive honors, including a selection for the AFCA 35 Under 35 Leadership Institute, and the 2022 NCAA and NFL Coaches Academy.

In his first two seasons as the running backs coach, the Tigers got off to an impressive start, rushing for 6,533 yards and 78 touchdowns under his tutelage.

Jones has also played a major role in getting his players to the NFL, including Darrell Henderson, Tony Pollard, Kenneth Gainwell, and many more. 

Anthony Jones

Anthony Jones

Anthony Jones

FEB 20 COACH PHILLIPS Wes Phillips is continuing a rich family football tradition, the grandson of Bum Phillips, son of Wade Phillips and former Dallas Cowboys assistant now joining the Minnesota Vikings as their new offensive coordinator under head coach Kevin O’Connell.

Phillips has been on the Rams staff, where McConnell was recently as Los Angeles won the Super Bowl.

Wes, 42, a native of Houston, was in Dallas from 2007 to 2013 in a variety of roles, including time when dad Wade, now 74, was the Cowboys head coach.

Grandfather Bum was of course a legendary former Houston Oilers coach.

FEB 19 FLORES HIRED The Steelers have named Brian Flores as their senior defensive assistant/linebackers coach.

Flores was most recently the head coach of the Miami Dolphins and in the wake of his recent firing - and his job interviews for head coaching positions that did not come to fruition, including in Houston - has filed a lawsuit against the NFL claiming racial injustices in the league's hiring practices.

"I am excited about Brian Flores joining our coaching staff given his history of developing and teaching defensive players during his time in the NFL," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "Brian's resume speaks for itself, and I look forward to him adding his expertise to help our team."

JAN 25 PAYTON'S LAST CALL

Following Tuesday's news, the New Orleans Saints enter the conversation for a new head coach. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Sean Payton has informed the Benson family that he will be "stepping away" from the team after 16 seasons. According to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, Payton is retiring and will not be interested in coaching as of this time.

Hired in 2006, Payton, 58, became one of the two faces to transform the Saints from one of the league's worst teams into a stable organization. Teamed with future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees, the Saints became one of the NFC's best franchises, finishing with nine seasons of 10-plus wins and nine playoff appearances during that span.

This past season without Brees, the Saints finished 9-8, missing the postseason for the first time since 2016. Jameis Winston was expected to replace Brees, but a torn ACL in Week 8 cost him the remainder of the season, leading New Orleans into playing four different quarterbacks over the 17-game period.

Payton finishes his time with the Saints with a 152-89 record and a Super Bowl win in 2009. Multiple reports suggest that the Dallas Cowboys could be interested in firing Mike McCarthy in order to bring Payton over after an early Wild Card Round loss to the San Francisco 49ers earlier this month. 

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