From 44 touches as a rookie to a Pro Bowler in his second season, Kyren Williams has emerged as the centerpiece of the Los Angeles Rams' running attack.
The Rams secured their featured back for the future on Tuesday, signing Williams to a three-year, $33 million extension, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday.
Rapoport added that Williams' new deal, announced later on Tuesday by the team, includes $23 million guaranteed.
Williams, a 2022 NFL Draft fifth-round selection, was heading into the fourth and final season of his rookie contract and owed $5.34 million.
"It feels amazing. This whole day is kind of surreal," Williams said of inking his contract. "I'll never forget this day, but this is a day I kind of worked for my whole life. I knew I was gonna be here. I didn't know when, I didn't know how, I didn't know what the outcome was gonna be, but I'm here. So, I just want to say thank you to everybody that has played a part to making it happen. For me, it means everything. It means a whole lot that this organization believes in me, and I'm gonna continue to keep giving them everything I have in my soul to make sure that they know that."
After back-to-back seasons with 1,000 yards and double-digit rushing touchdowns, Williams was due a raise, a topic that the Rams have addressed since the top of the year. Williams has bided his time in a rather drama-free process, telling reporters he had no desire to hold out or hold in and got to work before receiving an extension commensurate with his production.
Over the past two seasons and 28 games, the 24-year-old has piled up 2,443 yards on 544 attempts (4.5 yards per carry) with 26 touchdowns.
In 2024, Williams rushed for 1,299 yards, which equated to an NFL-high 73.6% of Los Angeles' rushing output.
Los Angeles has taken measures to limit Williams' wear, drafting Blake Corum in the third round of the 2024 draft and nabbing fourth-round rookie Jarquez Hunter in April, but Williams' importance to Sean McVay's offense can't be overstated. Buoyed by a new deal, he'll continue to lead the way on the ground.
There are high expectations for the Rams in 2025, and the offensive nucleus of quarterback Matthew Stafford (who has missed the start of training camp due to a sore back), wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams and Williams at running back are a large reason why.
One of the best -- and perhaps most underrated -- young backs in the league, Williams has his second contract and more evidence as to just how pivotal he is to the Rams' success going forward.
