The Los Angeles Rams are keeping one of the best running backs in the NFL for the long haul. The team has reached an agreement with former Notre Dame football star Kyren Williams on a three-year, $33 million extension that includes $23 million guaranteed, his agents Drew and Jason Rosenhaus told ESPN.
While the deal for the ex-Irish runner came out of nowhere, the deal was a well-earned extension for Williams, who accounted for a league-high 43% of his team's offensive touches last season. That came after he put up similar numbers in 2023. Last season, Williams rushed for a career-high 1,299 yards and 14 touchdowns in addition to catching 34 passes and another 2 TDs.
Notre Dame’s running back pipeline gets another boost from Kyren Williams’ NFL success
Williams entered the league after a good but not outstanding career with the Notre Dame football team as a 2022 fifth-round pick. In his rookie season, Williams had just 44 touches. In his second year, he became the Rams' starting running back and then proceeded to lead the NFL in average yards per game (95.3 yards) en route to earning his first Pro Bowl selection.
Williams' 26 touchdowns since the start of the 2023 season are tied for the fourth-most in the NFL over that span. Only Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, Titans running back Derrick Henry, and Bills quarterback Josh Allen have rushed for more scores than Williams over the past two seasons.
More than a productive runner, RamsWire analyst Cameron DaSilva recently called the former Notre Dame star a "glue guy" in the locker room.
"He’s someone younger players can look up to as someone to model their work ethic after. Sean McVay has said countless times how impressive Williams’ leadership and work ethic are, consistently praising the running back for everything he does off the field."
For the Notre Dame football program, Kyren Williams' rise and success is something else coaches can point to when they are recruiting prospects like Kemon Spell, who are the best players at the running back position in the 2027 class. Pointing to guys like Williams is something the school can show players that they can become once they're done in South Bend.