In a move that comes to no surprise to many, edge rusher Samson Ebukam is heading out of Los Angeles. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Ebukam is leaving the Rams and going to northern California. The edge rusher will sign with the San Francisco 49ers and stay in the NFC West.
The #49ers are signing OLB Samson Ebukam to a two-year deal worth $12 million that can be worth up to $13.5 million with incentives, sources tell me and @RapSheet. 💰
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 15, 2021
According to Pelissero, Ebukam is signing with the 49ers for a deal worth up to $13.5M. While losing Ebukam is a hit to the Rams’ edge depth, the Rams weren’t going to come close to signing him for over $6.5M per year. Ebukam showed flashes, but despite being a good athlete, never found week-to-week consistency.
In Ebukam’s four years in Los Angeles, he totaled just 14 sacks despite playing next to Aaron Donald. Ebukam’s most memorable moment with the Rams might have been on Monday Night Football when he scored a defensive touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Ebukam was drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He is now the second player from that draft class to be signed away from the Rams. Ebukam joined John Johnson III who left for the Cleveland Browns. With Josh Reynolds and Gerald Everett being free agents, that theme could continue.
When all is said and done, there is a good chance Cooper Kupp is the only player from Sean McVay’s first draft class still on the roster.
It’s obviously disappointing that Ebukam is leaving for the 49ers and stays in the division. However, given the numbers that he put up on the Rams defense, it’s hard to see him having a huge impact there either.
The Rams are $33M over the cap. They will be looking to restructure contracts to open up space before they are able to make any sort of signing. The team will also be looking to bring back Leonard Floyd.