The Los Angeles Rams have signed All-Pro punter Johnny Hekker and defensive end Ethan Westbrooks to contract extensions.
Despite already being under contract until 2020, the Rams rewarded Hekker’s stellar play by rewarding him with two more years worth $9.6 million dollars. It’s a great deal for both sides. Hekker has been an All-Pro for the past four years and is consistently ranked amongst the leagues top punters, if not the best. The Rams are keeping one of their best players under contract. Hekker won’t be a free agent until 2023.
As for Westbrooks, the team added an extra year worth $1.75 million to his contract, keeping him under contract next season. Westbrooks has been a valuable rotation player for the Rams since 2014 and started in Week 1 thanks to Aaron Donald’s holdout and Dominique Easley’s injury. It remains to be seen if Westbrooks keeps a starting spot on the defensive line with Donald coming back, but he’ll see plenty of playing time regardless. The move was a good way for the Rams to assure they have depth at the position for this season and the next one.
Hekker and Westbrooks will both be on the field this Sunday as the Rams look to continue their hot streak against the Washington Redskins.
Steve Rebeiro is a staff writer and podcast host for Rams Talk. He graduated from Marquette University in 2016. For more of his opinions, follow him on Twitter here.
