Los Angeles Rams Negotiations With Trumaine Johnson Mystifying

The puzzling saga of Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson continues.

The Rams, who made Johnson the highest-paid cornerback in the league last month when they placed the franchise tag on him for 2017 for $16.7 million, are seeking a long-term deal for the sixth-year pro, according to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez:

Rams are not ruling out a trade, but they would’ve preferred to get a deal done before the start of their program. Plan now is to let the program play out and try to broach the possibility of an extension before the July 15 deadline. An added motivation for a potential extension: Lower his 2017 cap number, which can allow them to extend other defensive players who would want a higher salary this season. Alec Ogletree, Maurice Alexander and Lamarcus Joyner are unrestricted free agents next offseason, and Aaron Donald — a free agent after 2018 — looms.

Los Angeles had been looking for a trade partner for Johnson, but his $16.742 million salary for 2017, according to Sportrac, made him an unlikely trading chip. The Rams put the franchise tag on Johnson because they wanted to see whether he would be a good fit for defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ scheme. The fact that they lost cornerback Janoris Jenkins to the New York Giants before the 2016 season likely played a factor in their decision as well.

It’s hard to understand the Rams’ thought process about putting the second franchise tag on Johnson. They obviously knew they had to pay the likes of Ogletree, Alexander and Joyner when they gave Johnson all that money. Phillips did tell ESPN in January that four of six franchises in which he came aboard, had been running a 4-3 prior to his arrival, and reached the playoffs once he got there.

None of those teams had been to the playoffs the previous season.

But it just doesn’t make sense if the Rams felt Trumaine Johnson was the key piece in the 2017 playoffs run. One thing new head coach Sean McVay has is time to turn around the franchise.

Johnson had 15 interceptions in his first four years with the Rams, including seven in 2015 playing opposite Jenkins. He had one in 2016 after Jenkins’ departure.

And now the Rams are looking to give Johnson a long-term deal after being unable to find a trade partner?

It’s part of the reason the Rams are trying to rebound from a 4-12 season.