Joel Corry· Sep 4, 2026
In a salary-cap breakdown of the Rams' Super Bowl-or-bust roster, the piece forecasts several contract outcomes: Myles Garrett's deal being renegotiated as soon as next year, Puka Nacua as a franchise tag candidate, four members of the 2023 draft class playing out their rookie deals, and Matthew Stafford retiring in 2028.
“Nacua is a prime franchise tag candidate.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
7 checkable claims — 7 trade and signing calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 7 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
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Who this take is about
7 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
Steve Avila to move to Los Angeles Rams
“offensive guard Steve Avila, wide receiver Puka Nacua, defensive tackle Kobie Turner, and edge rusher Byron Young ... are probably going to play out their rookie contracts because of salary cap constraints”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Puka Nacua to move to Los Angeles Rams
“offensive guard Steve Avila, wide receiver Puka Nacua, defensive tackle Kobie Turner, and edge rusher Byron Young ... are probably going to play out their rookie contracts because of salary cap constraints”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Myles Garrett to move to Los Angeles Rams
“it wouldn't be surprising for his deal to be renegotiated as early as next year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Kobie Turner to move to Los Angeles Rams
“offensive guard Steve Avila, wide receiver Puka Nacua, defensive tackle Kobie Turner, and edge rusher Byron Young ... are probably going to play out their rookie contracts because of salary cap constraints”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Matthew Stafford to move to Los Angeles Rams
“Things should get interesting for the Rams in 2028. That's the logical time for Stafford to hang up his football cleats, given how his contract is structured.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Puka Nacua to move to Los Angeles Rams
“Nacua is a prime franchise tag candidate. Next year's wide receiver tag should be in the neighborhood of $29 million”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Byron Young to move to Los Angeles Rams
“offensive guard Steve Avila, wide receiver Puka Nacua, defensive tackle Kobie Turner, and edge rusher Byron Young ... are probably going to play out their rookie contracts because of salary cap constraints”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Nick ShookRoster Spot Calls · Aaron DonaldHit · 100Shook unveiled his first NFL power rankings of the year, putting the Rams first, the Broncos second and the defending champion Seahawks only third, with the Dolphins last.
- Jared DubinScore Predictions · Los Angeles RamsMiss · 26Dubin picks the Rams, Texans, Ravens, Bengals, Packers, Cowboys and Broncos in Week 1 with exact scores, and says the Rams are his pick to win the Super Bowl this season.
- Jordan DajaniScore Predictions · Los Angeles RamsMiss · 12Dajani picks the Rams over the 49ers, Texans over Bills, Ravens over Colts, Bengals over Buccaneers, Vikings over Packers, Cowboys over Giants and Broncos over Chiefs in Week 1, with exact scores. He also predicts the Bills win the AFC East, the Cowboys win their division, and Caleb Downs wins Defensive Rookie of the Year.
- Jared DubinScore Predictions · Los Angeles RamsMiss · 26The unsigned CBS Sports preview picks the Rams to beat the 49ers 31-21 in the Week 1 game in Melbourne, and also names the Rams as its Super Bowl winner for the season.
- Mike FlorioScore Predictions · Los Angeles RamsMiss · 29Florio gives score predictions for every Week 1 game of the 2026 NFL season, including an opening-night upset by the Patriots in Seattle and narrow home wins for the Giants and Chiefs.
- Gilberto ManzanoGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles RamsMiss · 0Manzano's Week 1 straight-up picks for all 16 games.
More trade and signing calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Chris BrockmanTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100Brockman's season-preview overreactions: Fernando Mendoza becomes an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist; Dak Prescott wins MVP and the Cowboys win the Super Bowl; Jesse Minter's Ravens win the AFC North; C.J. Stroud leads Houston to the AFC's No. 1 seed; Jonathan Taylor approaches 2,000 rushing yards; Baker Mayfield wins the NFC South, goes 12-5 and reaches the NFC title game while landing a $60 million-per-year deal; and Aaron Rodgers throws 35-plus touchdowns as the Steelers go 11-6 and win the North.
- Mike MoraitisTrade and Signing Calls · DaRon BlandHit · 100Moraitis names five Cowboys he expects to be playing their final season opener in Dallas in 2026: George Pickens (likely tag-and-trade or departure), Malik Hooker, Luke Schoonmaker, DeMarvion Overshown and DaRon Bland.
- Bucky BrooksTrade and Signing Calls · Keenan AllenHit · 100Brooks predicted J.J. McCarthy won't be on the Vikings' roster (traded or released), said Kyler Murray wins the Vikings' QB competition, made a series of 2025 award picks, made 2026 Heisman/draft projections including Arch Manning as the front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick, and said none of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or Joe Burrow win a championship this season.
- Jon GrudenTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The former Buccaneers head coach predicted that Tampa Bay and Baker Mayfield are closer on a new contract than believed and that an extension will get done.
- Seth WalderTrade and Signing Calls · Kayshon BoutteMiss · 0Walder proposes five trades he believes should happen before Week 1 of the 2026 season: Jessie Bates III to the 49ers, Kayvon Thibodeaux to the Patriots, Keon Coleman to the Colts, Walker Little to the Cardinals, and Kayshon Boutte to the Commanders, where he says Boutte would immediately be Washington's No. 2 receiver.
- Garrett PodellTrade and Signing Calls · Stefon DiggsHit · 100An unsigned CBS Sports report frames Stefon Diggs as filling Washington's vacant No. 2 receiver role opposite Terry McLaurin after his reported one-year deal, expecting him in that spot in the 2026 passing game with Jayden Daniels.