Tavon Austin, Rams Agree to New Contract: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction
Tavon Austin has established himself as the Los Angeles Rams‘ most versatile offensive weapon over the past few seasons, and the franchise rewarded him Saturday with a four-year contract extension.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the four-year extension is valued at $42 million, including $30 million guaranteed. However, incentives in the deal can push the value as high as $52 million. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport confirmed the report.
The $30 million guaranteed is the fifth-most for any receiver in the NFL, per Spotrac.
“It is important to our organization to retain players we’ve drafted and invested in, and Tavon is an example of that,” Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said, according to NFL Network’s James Palmer.
Austin didn’t immediately live up to his superstar billing after the Rams selected him with the eighth pick in the 2013 NFL draft, but Fisher was determined to get his speedy wideout the ball in creative ways throughout the 2015 season.
After posting 569 yards from scrimmage as a rookie and just 466 the following season, Austin broke out in 2015 to the tune of 52 catches for 473 yards and five touchdowns, as well as 52 rushes for 434 yards and four scores.
“I appreciate it, just for what I’ve been through,” Austin said of his expanding role, per ESPN.com’s Steve Dilbeck. “It’s only going to get better for me. I’m about the wins, and any time I get to touch the ball, hopefully I can make something good happen with it.”
Austin has also established himself as an electric punt returner with at least 268 yards on such plays every season since his debut in 2013:
According to Myles Simmons of the Rams’ official website, Austin became the first player since Gale Sayers in 1965 to record at least five receiving touchdowns, four rushing touchdowns and one punt return score in a single season.
“A really smart player,” Fisher said, per Dilbeck. “Very exciting, explosive player. Loves to play and compete.”
Beyond Todd Gurley and Austin, the Rams aren’t replete with game-breaking playmakers.
As a result, the team chose to lock up the fourth-year wideout, whose contract was initially slated to expire following the 2017 season.
And with No. 1 pick Jared Goff tabbed as the quarterback of the future, Austin and the rookie signal-caller can begin to build a rapport as they seek to lead the franchise into a prosperous new era back in Los Angeles.
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