The NFL can be a brutal business where financial reasoning wins out over everything else. The Los Angeles Rams demonstrated that on Friday, releasing starters James Laurinaitis, Jared Cook and Chris Long. The move cleared $23 million in cap space for the Rams.
Laurinaitis was a second-round pick by the Rams in 2009 and spent his entire seven-year career with the franchise, registering 852 total tackles, 16.5 sacks, 10 interceptions and 36 stuffs. The 29-year-old inside linebacker has played in all 112 games of his career. Given his durability, leadership and experience, Laurinaitis should have several offers to choose from in the coming weeks and months.
Cook was a major disappointment for the Rams, who signed him to a five-year, $35 million contract in 2013. His best season in St. Louis came in 2013 when he posted 51 receptions for 671 yards and five touchdowns. But after a miserable season in 2016 where he posted just 39 receptions for 481 yards and no touchdowns, St. Louis got out of the bad contract realizing their mistake. While Cook has plenty of size and athleticism to offer, his inability to block and poor hands will limit the interest in his services.
The player who should attract the most interest is Long, who was playing at a high level for the first six years of his career before injuries slowed him down in 2014 and '15. If his medicals check out, the 30-year-old can offer a few solid years of production at defensive end. Given that he also won't factor into draft pick compensation, it should further improve his value to teams looking for help on the defensive line.