The Los Angeles Rams are signing former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive guard Kevin Dotson to a massive contract extension.
According to a report by Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report, Dotson is has agreed to a three-year, $48 million extension with the Rams, averaging $16 million per season through 2026. The contract includes $32 million in guarantees.
BREAKING: The #Rams are re-signing star guard Kevin Dotson on a 3-year deal worth 48M, sources tell @BleacherReport.
That’s a big 16 APY for Dotson to solidify LA’s O-Line. pic.twitter.com/O7gdwZiv4T
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 7, 2024
Dotson had been set to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career, making $5.9 million over his first four NFL seasons on his rookie contract.
The Steelers traded Dotson to the Rams on Aug. 27 in exchange for LA’s fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Steelers also sent their fifth-round pick to the Rams as part of the trade.
Dotson had a Steelers season with the Rams, playing in 881 snaps, the second-most of his career, and starting 14 games. On the season, he allowed just four sacks and seven quarterback hits, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Steelers drafted Dotson out of Louisiana in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Dotson played phenomenally during his rookie season, as he made 13 appearances and recorded four starts while not allowing a single sack. He also played a significant role on a historic offensive line that allowed just 14 total sacks all season, the franchise’s lowest mark since 1982.
He had his second season cut short after just nine games of being a full-time starter and resumed his starting role last season with a season-ending ankle injury. After his level of play declined over the past two seasons, the end of his time in Pittsburgh was signaled this time last year, when the club signed Isaac Seumalo to a three-year, $24 million contract. Seumalo took over Dotson’s job as starting left guard, leaving the Steelers to trade him to L.A.