Cornerback Jalen Ramsey assured the Los Angeles Rams that he would not hold out in 2020 before they acquired him in a trade on Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.
Ramsey requested a trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this season, and the Jags shipped him west in exchange for three draft picks: two future first-round selections and a fourth-rounder.
The 2020 season will be the final of Ramsey’s rookie contract, due to pay him $13.7 million. If he can’t reach a contract deal and the Rams want to use the franchise tag on him in 2021, he could hold out, Schefter said, citing sources.
“That is a gift,” one league source told ESPN about Ramsey’s 2020 guarantee. “Most guys when they get traded — Khalil Mack, Antonio Brown — they get traded and sign a new deal. He’s gifting the Rams two wholesale years and not requiring a rip-up.”
Ramsey, who turns 25 on Thursday, is earning $2.35 million this season. The Jaguars selected him with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
He had one pass breakup and one forced fumble in three games with Jacksonville this season. He had nine interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and 44 pass breakups while starting all 48 games his first three seasons.