Despite having a breakout season with the Los Angeles Rams in 2025, the team will need to manage the Colby Parkinson cap casualty situation before the upcoming campaign. Even though the TE had one of the best seasons as a pass-catcher, Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay has listed him as a cut candidate this summer. Parkinson, a former fourth-round pick, has spent the first three seasons with the Seattle Seahawks before joining the Rams in 2024. After he signed a three-year deal to join Los Angeles, he’s due for another contract once the 2026 season is over, but the Rams have a problem on their hands in their crowded depth room.
This offseason, the team drafted Max Klare in the second round to join veteran Tyler Higbee, who signed a new extension and Terrance Ferguson, who’s set to take over primary starting duties. It puts Parkinson in an awkward situation, but it doesn’t mean that he did anything wrong. The team took Klare as a cheap alternative if Parkinson winds up being too pricey, and it looks like the Rams put themselves in a situation where they need to move on.
The tight end carries over a $9M cap hit to the team’s salary, and the Rams would save about $7M if they release him.
Colby Parkinson Cap Casualty: Rams Eyeball $7M Savings
Cut or Trade?
While Kay suggests a release is the direction the Rams could go, a trade is way more feasible. The tight end is coming off a season where he recorded 43 receptions for 408 yards and eight touchdowns, so he’s bound to land with a team that has interest in him if the Rams make him available. The team probably won’t demand a high draft pick, considering the tight end is more of a backup than he is a starter, so a late fifth-round pick would make sense.
While head coach Sean McVay prefers to have a massive bunch in the tight end room, Parkinson is heading into the 2026 season as a regressor rather than someone who’s going to put on a strong campaign. Here are three teams that could give him a larger role this upcoming campaign.
Potential Landing Spots
New England Patriots
After signing Romeo Doubs and trading for AJ Brown, the New England Patriots are putting together a highly powered offense for QB Drake Maye. Despite their offseason success, there are still some concerns in their tight end room. The Patriots selected Eli Raridon to assist Hunter Henry, but ever since they lost Austin Hooper back to Atlanta, there are still some concerns. New England could strengthen its core group and acquire Parkinson in a trade.
This would benefit not only the offense, but Henry, who’s been struggling to stay consistent. Even though Brown, Doubs and Kayshon Boutte are getting most of the attention, they can quietly upgrade the tight end depth.
Carolina Panthers
Meanwhile, the Panthers have shown this offseason that they’re serious about another legitimate run this upcoming season. Despite picking up the fifth-year option for QB Bryce Young, the team selected WR Chris Brazzell to upgrade the pass-attack alongside Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. McMillan is expected to explode into the alpha of this offense, similar to how Puka Nacua has emerged in Los Angeles, but he could use another pass-catcher to completely overhaul its aerial attack.
Between Tommy Tremble and Ja’Tavion Sanders, no one has emerged as a top tight end pass-catcher. It doesn’t mean Parkinson has a chance to start here, but he’d definitely reap the benefits of a scenery change with a fresh young offense that looks to be a threat in the NFC once again.
Dallas Cowboys
Here’s where it could get interesting with the Dallas Cowboys. The team is coming off a season where TE Luke Schoonmaker is a cut candidate this offseason, too. He hasn’t exactly gone as planned as a reliable backup, and while they have Brevyn Spann-Ford, who emerged, he’s more of a blocker than he is a pass-catcher. Jake Ferguson hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down, but he isn’t a Jason Witten, so the Cowboys would benefit from adding Parkinson to the pass-catching group.
