Dante Fowler signed a one-year, prove-it contract to stay in L.A. for at least one more season. The pass rusher now wants to show the Rams he's worth a bigger deal next offseason.
"I'm just going to go out there and bust my tail and try to be the best player I can be on and off the field so I can try to figure out a way to stay here," he said Monday, via the Los Angeles Times.
A former first-round pick, Fowler was traded from Jacksonville midway through last season. He got off to an up-and-down start in L.A., compiling just two sacks through eight regular-season tilts. However, Fowler burst out during the Rams' playoff run, compiling 1.5 sacks in three games and a boatload of other pressures during the postseason, including an overtime hit on Drew Brees that forced an interception in the NFC Championship Game.
The Rams believe a full offseason in Wade Phillips' system will unleash Fowler's talent and continue his hot streak from the playoffs.
"What he was able to do coming in in the middle of the year and being able to contribute the way that he did really says a lot about how quickly he was able to pick things up," coach Sean McVay said. "But now I think you can get a little more intricate with some of the details, some of the nuances, really where you're starting the right way from a foundational teaching standpoint.
"And I think that's only going to help Dante play faster, play more decisive."
If Fowler becomes a consistent force for an entire season with the Rams, he'll cash in next offseason. The pass rusher hopes that long-term pay day comes in Los Angeles.
