There was some surprise when the Washington Commanders opted to let Kamren Curl walk in free agency without offering him a new deal in 2024. The talented safety could be on the move again at some stage this offseason according to an NFL insider.
Curl was one of the very few Ron Rivera draft picks that exceeded expectations. The safety emerged from a seventh-round afterthought into a capable performer, forming a decent tandem with Darrick Forrest and proving his worth as a valuable piece of the defensive puzzle.
A new regime didn't believe Curl was worthy of another financial commitment. They allowed the former Arkansas star to take his chances elsewhere, signing for the Los Angeles Rams on a two-year, $9 million deal soon after the 2024 legal tampering window opened.
Former Commanders star Kamren Curl could be traded during the 2025 offseason
The defensive back was solid, if not spectacular, for the Rams last season. Curl has one more year remaining on his contract, which led Ralph Vacchiano from FOX Sports to speculate whether he could be on the trade block when push comes to shove.
"The Rams' pass defense wasn't good last season and their secondary was a big reason why. Curl clearly didn't have the impact many expected he'd have when he came over from Washington. But the Rams got Curl cheap, signing him to a surprisingly low two-year, $9 million deal, which makes him very tradeable. He's also still only 26 years old, so there could be someone who believes he can recapture the ability he showed with the Commanders. Maybe there's a better defensive fit out there, and the Rams can get a Day 3 pick back in return."Ralph Vacchiano
The Commanders wouldn't be interested in trading any capital for Curl. They aren't valuing the safety position too highly, which was evidenced by not paying Jeremy Chinn this offseason after a fantastic first campaign with the organization.
Chinn performed extremely well during Washington's memorable run to the NFC Championship game. Peters didn't extend him, signing Will Harris to a cheaper deal in pursuit of filling the void. With the depth chart not exactly loaded with productive talent, it's a risky strategy that could go either way.
The Commanders should add to their safety options during the draft, although that will be more difficult with five picks at Adam Peters' disposal. As for Curl? He'll be watching the Rams' picks closely to see if he'll face a fight to retain his starting job in 2025.
Things could have been different for Curl in Washington. Forrest's early injury during the 2023 campaign exposed his frailties without a productive partner alongside him on the back end. With Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. liking their safeties to be more physically imposing, there was only one viable outcome.
It seems unlikely that the Rams would trade Curl. But that doesn't detract from what a pivotal campaign awaits the player next time around.