Rams Tie up Even More Cap Space With Big Tyler Higbee Extension for Some Reason

After handing Jared Goff the keys to the franchise in the form of the most lucrative NFL contract in league history (in terms of guaranteed money), the Rams, somehow, weren't done inking players to new deals.

In a rather surprising move, the Rams have extended the contract of tight end Tyler Higbee, locking him up for four years on a deal that will reportedly make him a top-10 earner at his position.

Another extension for the Rams, who reach agreement with TE Tyler Higbee on a 4-year deal that ties him to the team through 2023 season and makes him a top 10 paid TE, per source. Rams and @ErikBurkhardt finalizing deal this morning.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 5, 2019

Higbee will now be with the Rams through the 2023 NFL season, and if he is truly set to become a top-10 paid tight end, he'll be earning at least $6.8 million annually -- Cameron Brate's current AAV.

It really does feel like the Rams are growing money on trees at this point.

This is certainly a big payday for the 26-year-old, as Higbee was previously slotted to make just $730,215 in 2019. His new deal could see him making 10 times as much.

The #Rams and TE Tyler Higbee announce a 4-year extension, tying him to the team through 2023. A very underrated player.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 5, 2019

While Higbee's importance to LA doesn't show up on the stat sheet -- he caught just 24 receptions for 292 yards and two touchdowns last year -- he is a talented blocker and an important aspect of the Rams' offensive identity.

The Rams drafted him in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Western Kentucky. He's started in all 32 regular-season games over the past two years, and earned seven starts in his rookie season.