Kyren Williams has established himself as one of the NFL’s most productive running backs in recent years and believes he deserves to be compensated accordingly.
Despite that, the Los Angeles Rams running back expressed optimism about working out a new deal with the team that drafted him in the fifth round back in 2022.
“I’d love to get it done so I can support my family and those who helped me get to this point,” Williams told the Los Angeles Times. “I always have faith in God. Whether it happens now or after the season, I trust that it will eventually come together.
“I know it’s just a matter of time.”
Now eligible for a contract extension, Williams is entering the final year of his rookie deal. He rushed for 1,299 yards and totaled 15 touchdowns (rushing and receiving) in 2024, following a breakout 2023 season where he racked up 1,350 scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns in just 12 games.
‘Bridging The Gap’
Rams general manager Les Snead shared in March that he was aiming to secure a long-term contract for Kyren Williams. According to The Athletic, both Snead and Williams’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, have exchanged initial contract proposals.
“We all want this to come together,” Snead told The Athletic. “The question is whether we can agree on a deal that feels like a win for both sides. And even if it doesn’t happen this year, that doesn’t mean Kyren won’t be with us next year, or that something couldn’t come together later on.”
Snead also expressed his desire to “build a long-term relationship” with the team’s lead running back.
However, with Rosenhaus handling negotiations and the Rams drafting Blake Corum from Michigan and Jarquez Hunter from Auburn in back-to-back drafts, there’s no certainty Williams will stay with the team beyond 2025. Head coach Sean McVay told the LA Times that the biggest obstacle is agreeing on financial terms.
“We’ll see what kind of ground we have to cover, but he’s a key piece of our future,” McVay said. “He knows how much I care about him, and we’re hopeful we can get something worked out.”
Running Back Market Shift
The NFL tends to move in cycles, and right now, the trend is shifting back toward investing in running backs.
Just last week, Derrick Henry agreed to a two-year, $30 million extension with the Ravens. That followed Saquon Barkley’s record-setting two-year, $41 million deal with the Eagles earlier this year.
Rookie Ashton Jeanty finds himself in the middle of that pay range, set to make over $9 million per year on a four-year contract with the Raiders—before even playing a snap in the league.
While Williams’ upcoming contract may not break any records, the timing works in his favor. He’s nearing free agency while ranking third in the NFL in rushing yards since 2023, behind only Henry and Barkley.
Williams is confident a new deal is on the horizon. For now, his focus is on preparing for the upcoming season.
“We’ll see how it plays out,” Williams said. “My job is to keep doing what I need to do every day to make sure things go my way.”
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