Report: Rams DE Chris Long restructures contract

St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long has restructured his contract to give the team $2 million more in cap space this year.

St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long has restructured his contract to give the team $2 million more in cap space this year, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter.

According to the Baltimore Sun's Aaron Wilson, the cap space was created by Long converting $3 million of his 2014 base salary to a signing bonus. His base salary this season is now $10.2 million, down from $13.2 million, and his cap number is $12.9 million, down from $14.9 million.

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The future years of Long's contract aren't affected by the restructuring. He's signed with the team through 2016 after agreeing to a four-year extension in 2012.

Long, 29, was the No. 2 pick in the 2008 NFL draft and has spent his entire career with St. Louis. He had 8.5 sacks last season and has totaled 50.5 sacks over his six seasons.

The Rams open the 2014 season Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.

- Ben Estes