Rams Guard Steve Avila Signs Unprecedented Rookie Deal
After signing "Mr. Irrelevant" Desjuan Johnson on Monday, the Los Angeles Rams agreed to terms with rookie offensive lineman Steve Avila, their top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, on Tuesday.
Avila signed a four-year rookie deal worth roughly $9.25 million, but there's a unique twist to the contract. The first three years of Avila's contract are fully guaranteed, as is 10 percent of the fourth season. According to ESPN's Field Yates, this marks the first time a player of Avila's draft status, the No. 36 overall pick, has ever received such guarantees.
First-round picks almost always get fully-guaranteed rookie deals, but later-round picks haven't received the same treatment. The NFLPA has reportedly been pushing for second-round picks to get full guarantees as well, and Avila's contract marks the latest step in that process.
The Seattle Seahawks did something similar with their second-round pick in defensive lineman Derrick Hall, who was taken one spot after Avila at No. 37 overall. Like Avila, Hall also had the first three years of his deal guaranteed, but the difference is he has $100,000 of guaranteed money in his fourth season rather than a percent-based guarantee.
The Rams are clearly giving Avila a strong vote of confidence with this deal. With Avila already vying for a starting job, he seems to be living up to it so far.
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