What Can St. Louis Rams Do to Clear More Salary-Cap Space for 2015 Offseason?

With the 2015 offseason approaching, many are wondering if the St. Louis Rams will have the necessary salary-cap space to partake in the ferocious bidding wars for veteran players. 

Sites such as Spotrac provide a nice overview, but salary-cap management is deeper and more complex than many believe. This article won't pretend to understand the subtle loopholes and footnotes that few have access to, but we can still examine the surface and gain a solid understanding of where the Rams stand this offseason. 

Simply put, the money is there if the Rams want it. Setting aside funds to sign the 2015 draft picks and re-sign key in-house free agents (Kenny Britt, Joe Barksdale) will push the cap number close to the limit, but there are a number of veteran cuts to be made, and that will allow the money to flow. 

If the Rams part with these veterans as expected, the team will have the freedom to make a splash in free agency. 

QB Sam Bradford

This is the big one. Fans are eagerly awaiting the fate of quarterback Sam Bradford, as the outcome of his contract will have the biggest impact on what the Rams can do in free agency. 

Bradford has a $16.58 million cap hit in 2015, and the Rams can save nearly $13 million in cap space by cutting the veteran. 

In 2014, Bradford suffered his second season-ending injury in as many years. The Rams were stuck with Bradford's $17.61 million cap hit this past season despite the fact that he didn't play a single down. With another large cap number in 2015, the Rams cannot risk being burned again, so there's virtually zero chance that Bradford is retained at his current rate. 

With $13 million dollars in cap relief, St. Louis can pursue a high-end free agent on the offensive line—Stefen Wisniewski or Mike Iupati—and retain Bradford at a more team-friendly number. 

Elite centers and guards average around $8 million per year. Subtract that from the $13 million figure, and there's still $5 million remaining—which is a good cap number for Bradford in 2015. 

A two-year deal at around $15 million (of course, loaded with incentives and non-guaranteed money) sounds about right for Bradford. That will significantly lower his 2015 cap hit and allow the Rams to pursue a good lineman, which will also help keep Bradford healthy. 

Cap Savings: $12.9 Million

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

T Jake Long

Jake Long was signed by the Rams in 2013, and the team was well aware of his injury history, which is why it inked him to a very team-friendly deal. 

Long's contract is a four-year deal for $34 million, but only $12 million of that amount is guaranteed. The 2015 cap hit is $10.5 million. But St. Louis is only on the hook for another $2.5 million, so the Rams can save a cool $8 million by cutting Long. 

Long suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2014, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com, and it's his second major knee injury in two years with St. Louis. 

The Rams used the No. 2 overall pick in 2014 to draft monster Auburn tackle Greg Robinson, who took over at left tackle and played well following Long's departure. With the future left tackle in place, there's no chance that Long returns at his current rate. 

In fact, considering the severity of his latest knee injury combined with his overall struggle with injuries at the NFL level, it'd be wise for Long to call it quits and hang up the cleats. Any more bodily damage could have serious long-term implications, and it might even be too late already. 

The $8 million in cap savings will allow the Rams to pursue a free-agent offensive lineman of equal or greater value. 

Cap Savings: $8 Million

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

C Scott Wells

Scott Wells was a major weak point on the offensive line this season. His run blocking was weak, and defenders were able to immediately create pressure in the middle during pass protection. Not to mention, he had numerous bad snaps that absolutely killed the offense's momentum. 

To be fair, Wells spent time in the intensive care unit this past summer with a bacterial infection, according to Jim Thomas of STLtoday.com, and the difficult road to recovery had him ill-prepared for the intensity of training camp. Physically, he was playing catch-up all season long. 

As unfortunate as that may be, Wells has been an underwhelming presence since joining the team in 2012, so the decline also has a lot to do with his age (33) and on-the-field injuries (he missed 13 starts in his first two seasons with the Rams). 

Jeff Fisher prefers to have a veteran at center, so it would not be a total shock if the Rams retain Wells. His character is off-the-charts, and he's a solid locker room presence. So he's not the easiest player to let go. 

Having said that, the interior offensive line was dreadful this past season, and football is a business. There has to be a superior option available, and it's the Rams' duty to put emotions aside and make the best move for the team. 

Wells' 2015 cap hit is just $4.75 million and only $1 million of that is guaranteed, so that's a nice $3.75 million in extra spending money if Wells is cut loose. 

It's not a huge sum, but combined with the savings from Bradford and Long, it will put the Rams in a position to make a serious run at Wisniewski or Iupati (assuming their current teams don't re-sign them). It will help the Rams toward retaining some in-house free agents as well. 

Total Savings: $3.75 Million

DT Kendall Langford

Kendall Langford has been a reliable starter on the inside since joining the team in 2012, but the emergence of Pro Bowl rookie Aaron Donald, as well as three-year veteran Michael Brockers, has forced Langford into a backup role. 

That's not a bad thing. When a reliable player of Langford's caliber is struggling to get reps, it's a sign that the depth has significantly improved for the Rams. But since Langford still carries a starter's price tag, there must be an appropriate response. 

Langford is due a sizable $7 million cap hit in 2015, but since he's guaranteed just another $1 million, St. Louis can save $6 million total by cutting him. 

Fisher and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams both cherish elite defensive line play and understand the importance of having depth at the position. With that in mind, there's still a solid chance that Langford will return in 2015 at his current rate. 

However, there are talented young defensive linemen struggling to get on the field, such as Ethan Westbrooks, so the the departure of Langford could give those guys an opportunity. 

Also, the Rams frequently move their defensive ends inside. Robert Quinn, Chris Long, William Hayes and Eugene Sims all have experience on the interior line, and all four are capable of providing depth at tackle behind Donald and Brockers. 

The Rams will attempt to re-sign Langford at a reduced rate. If he agrees, that's excellent, but it's not likely. He's a capable starter, and his only role in St. Louis is as a backup. Surely, there are several needy teams willing to pay him starter's money, and it'd be hard to blame him for walking. 

So, Mr. Westbrooks, welcome to the show. 

Cap Savings: $6 Million

Total Savings: $30.65 Million 

Scott Eklund/Associated Press

The Rams are capable of making a splash in free agency this offseason, but it will take a few heartfelt goodbyes and some tough decisions. 

If the four mentioned players are cut loose prior to free agency, it'll be a telltale sign that St. Louis will be making headlines with its free-agent signings. 

After setting aside money for draft picks and re-signing some key players, there will still be money leftover from these cuts to pursue some big names. The total savings from cutting the above players adds up to $30.65 million (about 23 percent of the $133 million total salary cap from 2014).

The Rams are not in a position to go on a mindless spending spree. Several young centerpieces will have to be re-signed sooner rather than later (Brockers, Janoris Jenkins, Alec Ogletree, Trumaine Johnson), so that's something to keep in mind as well.

Even so, there's no reason why the Rams can't reel in one or two big names in free agency this year. After all, the money has to be spent somewhere, so it might as well go toward filling some glaring needs. 

Note: All player contract information in this article is from Spotrac.com.

Steven Gerwel is the longest-tenured Rams Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and serves as the Rams' game-day correspondent. You can find more of Gerwel's work by visiting his writer profile or by following him on Twitter.