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Rams clear cap space and open a spot in the secondary, adding fuel to speculation of a Jalen Ramsey reunion
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Rams' secondary is a little less crowded this weekend. 

The Rams announced on Friday that they'd waived cornerback Derion Kendrick from the roster, marking an anticlimactic end to his three plus seasons on the roster in Los Angeles. Kendrick, who was a sixth-round draft choice by the Rams in the 2022 NFL Draft, played in 32 games with 18 starts between his rookie season and ensuing 2023 campaign. 

Kendrick missed all of the 2024 season after tearing his ACL last summer during training camp and must now look to find a fresh opportunity elsewhere. Before being free to sign with a team as a free agent, Kendrick, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, must clear waivers. If claimed, Kendrick's new team would assume his scheduled salary of $3.406 million for this season. If unclaimed, Kendrick would then be free to meet and negotiate with teams about a new contract. 

By waiving Kendrick, the Rams will now save that equal amount of salary cap space for their 2025 bookkeeping. 

The speculation around this move, of course, will tie back to the Rams' flirtation with former star Jalen Ramsey. Los Angeles has been tied to the trade rumors with Ramsey for months, thanks in large part to head coach Sean McVay openly oozing praise for the player while admitting that the team has had conversations around the idea. Does this new spot in the secondary serve as foreshadowing for the next move to drop for Los Angeles? 

Ramsey is still under contract with the Miami Dolphins but Miami has actively been seeking a trade partner for approximately two months now. The relationship between the Dolphins and Ramsey has reached a point of no return and if the parties involved can resolve how to split Ramsey's remaining $21 million owed this season, a trade could happen at any point. 

The Rams, after moving on from Kendrick, have an even more apparent opportunity to take Ramsey on. Los Angeles does have a fair amount of depth between veterans Ahkello Witherspoon, Darious Williams, Cobie Durant, and former first-round draft choice Emmanuel Forbes. But none carry the pedigree or impact that Ramsey would bring to the table. 

So now, we wait. A corresponding move for Ramsey could happen at a moment's notice — although the tea leaves seem to be reading that we're creeping closer to a reunion. 

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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