Michael Hoecht Signs Restricted Free Agent Tender, Returns to Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams have suffered multiple losses to their defensive line but retained some depth when edge rusher Michael Hoecht signed his RFA tender.

Dec 31, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) runs / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Rams saw some turnover on its defensive line this offseason. Of course, losing legendary defensive tackle Aaron Donald stings, but also lost pieces of their depth, like Jonah Williams.

As such, many pundits have called for Los Angeles to attack the trenches in the NFL Draft, where a strong top of the defensive tackle class aligns well with the 19th pick, where the Rams currently sit.

Before that, though, they received some good news in free agency.

Dec 31, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) runs / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

On Thursday, edge rusher Michael Hoecht signed his right of first-refusal tender to return to Los Angeles. A restricted free agent, Los Angeles would have been able to match a qualifying offer before Hoecht joined a new team.

Instead, they’ll cut out the middleman and welcome him back before another team enters the equation.

The tender is a one-year deal worth $2.985 million, a fair price for the depth Hoecht will likely provide.

Hoecht is an edge rusher Los Angeles converted from defensive tackle, giving him a size advantage (6-foot-4, 310 pounds) over smaller tackles and the option to play inside when necessary – though the Rams haven’t opted to kick him inside very much.

Hoecht, 26, was thrust into a starting role last season and wound up playing the fourth-most snaps on the Rams' defense. He was the team’s 11th-highest graded defensive player and may be better served operating on a rotational basis, rather than starting opposite edge rusher Byron Young. 

Additionally, Hoecht is coming off the most productive season of his career, which could provide optimism for new defensive coordinator Chris Shula and his plan to maximize his talents. He posted six sacks, 81 tackles, and seven tackles for loss in 2023.

Los Angeles is yet to upgrade its front seven in free agency, but there’s reason to believe help is on the way, whether it be through the late stages of free agency or the early rounds of the NFL Draft. Needing help both at tackle and edge rusher, the Rams may opt to patch up one hole while siphoning Hoecht’s talents into the other.