Rams Rumors: Jordan Reed Drawing Interest from LA After Redskins Release

The Los Angeles Rams have spoken to free-agent tight end Jordan Reed about a potential deal, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. 

Reed was released by Washington on Feb. 20 after seven seasons with the team.  

The oft-injured 29-year-old missed all of last season and most recently played just 13 games in 2018—his most since 2015—recording 54 catches for 558 yards and two touchdowns. 

The biggest concern for Reed is his history of concussions. The tight end has endured seven confirmed instances since entering the NFL in 2013, most recently in the 2019 preseason against Atlanta, which Washington confirmed was still an issue at the time of his release in mid February. He'll still need to clear the league's concussion protocol before he is able to step on the field again. 

Reed had two years left on his contract when he was released, saving Washington $8.5 million against the salary cap. 

Of all the teams he could land with, Los Angeles certainly makes plenty of sense. Rams coach Sean McVay was the tight end coach in Washington during Reed's rookie season and was elevated to offensive coordinator from 2014-2016 before moving onto L.A. If there's any coach who knows how to best use Reed, it's the one who was calling plays when the tight end made his first and only appearance in the Pro Bowl back in 2016. 

The Rams wouldn't need to rely on Reed as an every down player, either. The team employed four tight ends on the depth chart last season, mostly relying on Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett with occasional appearances from Johnny Mundt—who enters this offseason as an exclusive rights free agent.

On top of that, the Rams are expected to enter free agency with nearly $22 million in cap space—more than enough to bring in the likes of Reed, who at his peak earned $8.25 million in a season.

Before any of that can be worked out, however, Reed first needs to prove that he is, and can remain, healthy. 

That won't be easy given his history.