It is being reported that the Los Angeles Rams may be looking to release Chris Long due to his enormous cap hit and overall ineffective play the last 2 seasons.
Long has already stated that he would be open to taking a pay cut for the chance to stay with the Rams however the former 2nd overall first round pick lost his starting job to William Hayes in 2015. Both Hayes and fellow defensive end Eugene Sims will both be free agents so it is entirely possible that Long is resigned based off of need not off of effectiveness.
Long has been with the Rams longer than any of his fellow teammates and this could make this decision a tough one. Long is expected to count $14.25 million dollars against the cap this year so this decision could come right before free agency.
Releasing Long will save the Rams $11.75 million in cap space. One of the main reasons the Rams are considering letting Long go is his extensive injury history. He missed 10 games in 2014 with an ankle injury and broke a bone in his knee in week 5 of the 2015 season. This injury not only kept him out for 4 games of the 2015 season but forced Long to be largely ineffective for the remainder of the season.