Misryoum reports the Rams declined Emmanuel Forbes’ $12.6M option, shaping his status for 2027 free agency.
A single contract decision could reshape Emmanuel Forbes’ future with the Los Angeles Rams, and Misryoum reports the team has declined his $12.6 million fifth-year option.
Forbes, a cornerback entering the final year of his rookie deal, will remain under contract through the 2026 season. However, the move means he is set to reach free agency ahead of his age-26 campaign in 2027, turning what might have been a longer runway into a high-stakes final act in Los Angeles.
That makes this offseason moment feel different: the Rams have already signaled they are willing to take on uncertainty. even after Forbes’ productive stretch.. The question now is whether his role and performance in 2026 will earn him a new deal. or whether it opens the door for another team to get him in free agency.
In his early career, Forbes was originally selected by the Washington Commanders in the first round of the 2023 draft.. He appeared in 14 games with six starts as a rookie before his playing time decreased in D.C.. and he was eventually waived midway through the 2024 season.. The Rams later picked up his contract. a decision that seemed to pay off once he found his footing in Los Angeles.
Forbes’ 2025 season proved pivotal.. Misryoum reports he played in all 17 games with 14 starts and delivered standout production. including tackles. passes defensed. a forced fumble and three interceptions.. He also contributed in the postseason. though a shoulder injury in the divisional round affected the rhythm of his involvement as the Rams were eventually eliminated from the NFC title race.
In this context, the contract timing matters because it arrives as the Rams’ defensive backfield undergoes major reshaping.. The team has added cornerback help via a trade for Trent McDuffie and the signing of Jaylen Watson. while offseason departures and retirement leave the secondary looking almost entirely rebuilt.
Whether Forbes remains part of that new look could come down to fit and consistency as a potential backup behind McDuffie and Watson. With the market ahead in 2027, the Rams’ 2026 usage of Forbes could serve as a quiet test of how they view his long-term role.
For fans, the decision highlights a broader truth about the NFL: even breakout seasons do not guarantee security, especially when roster construction accelerates in the background.