RAMS EXTEND TE TYLER HIGBEE, WR COOPER KUPP SET TO RETURN FROM IR
The Los Angeles Rams and eight-year veteran tight end, Tyler Higbee, have agreed to a new three-year extension, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The new extension is the second Higbee has signed as a Los Angeles Ram, just four years removed from a four-year deal that he inked ahead of the 2019 campaign. Higbee’s new deal is worth up to a maximum $30.5 million value and includes $17 million in total guarantees. The deal, negotiated by Erik Burkhardt of Roc Nation Sports, has a base value of $27 million.
Burkhardt congratulated his client on X, by writing: “Congrats to my guy, Tyler Higbee! Nobody deserves it more. Higs is the definition of unselfish, team first, and the toughest guy on his team who’ll do whatever it takes to win. Champion in life. Proud of you, bro.”
A 2016 fourth-round draft pick, Higbee is one of the more reliable tight ends in the league and has been a key piece of the Rams’ offense ever since head coach Sean McVay took over the team in 2017.
“I’ve been fortunate to be around Tyler for seven years now,” said McVay about Higbee on Friday. “He is a glue guy for this team. Really cool to see him honored as a captain, voted on by his teammates this year.”
“He epitomizes a lot of the things that we are looking for in Rams; mentally and physically tough, loves to compete, he’s got versatility. We ask a lot of our tight ends. He sets the example every single day. I love Tyler Higbee, really happy for him and that [extension] is a good thing for us.”
The former Western Kentucky Hilltopper holds the Rams’ career records for touchdowns (20), receptions (317) and receiving yards (3,239) for a TE and boasts a total of 116 starts across 125 games for Los Angeles. Higbee remains a corner piece on the Rams offense and was part of the team that won the Super Bowl against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Higbee’s deal is the latest tight end contract in the NFL and comes only four weeks after the Minnesota Vikings handed 26-year-old TJ Hockenson a record-breaking, four-year $68.5 million extension.
Speaking about his new deal, the 30-year-old said, “Just very blessed. I try to come in here and earn my job, earn my spot every day, and work hard. I put everything I have into playing this game that I love and this organization and give everything I got. Takes a lot of time away from my family at home, but it’s what I love to do, and it takes all of that to be able to have success at this level.”
“It’s amazing. I mean, I’ve got an 11-month-old daughter now, so started a family. Being able to have a little bit security, just being out here. Again, we’ve grown to love this community, this area and this team. I want to thank Mr. (Stan) Kroenke for giving me this opportunity, the coaching staff, our front office. Just grateful and very blessed.”
In related news, Rams head coach Sean McVay provided an update on the availability status of All-Pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp on Friday. Kupp, who was placed on injured reserve before Week 1 with a hamstring issue, could be available for the club’s Week 5 showdown vs. Philadelphia. The former Super Bowl MVP has been a significant absentee on the Rams offense thus far and has gotten in several practices so far this week. Kupp’s return to the field means the team will open the 21-day window to activate him off injured reserve and make his 2023 debut.
The Rams play host to the Eagles in a 4:05pm ET game this Sunday.
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero
Photo: The 621st Contingency Response Wing. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.