Rams re-sign NFC championship game star Howard to one-year deal
The Los Angeles Rams have re-signed Travin Howard six days after waiving him, with the linebacker agreeing to a one-year deal Tuesday.
The Rams waived Howard last Wednesday a few hours before announcing their contract extension for Super Bowl MVP receiver Cooper Kupp. The moves were related for salary cap reasons, but Los Angeles managed to hang on to Howard anyway for a fifth season with the team.
Howard has contributed mostly on special teams during his tenure with the club, but he memorably made the gameclinching interception with 1:09 to play in the Rams’ 2017 victory over San Francisco in the NFC championship game in late January. Howard played only on special teams in the Rams’ Super Bowl victory.
Howard started two regularseason games and two playoff games at linebacker last season while Ernest Jones was injured. Howard is likely to be a backup at inside linebacker again this season behind newcomer Bobby Wagner and Jones.
■ GARRETT, SHERMAN TAKE ANALYST GIGS: Former Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett and three-time AllPro Richard Sherman have new broadcasting deals.
Garrett will be an analyst on NBC’s “Football Night in America” pregame show this upcoming season, the network announced Tuesday.
Garrett is replacing Drew Brees, who decided not to return for a second year. Garrett will work with Maria Taylor, Tony Dungy and Chris Simms in NBC’s studio while Jac Collinsworth and Rodney Harrison will report from the game site.
Garrett has been an analyst during NBC’s coverage of the USFL this spring.
Garrett coached the Cowboys for 10 years (2010-19) and compiled an 87-70 record, including three NFC East titles. He was an offensive coordinator for the New York Giants last season.
He also had a 14-year playing career in the league, and won two Super Bowls with the Cowboys.
Also on Tuesday, it was announced that Sherman has been hired by Amazon Prime Video as an analyst for their first season as the exclusive network for “Thursday Night Football.”
Sherman will be part of Prime Video’s pregame, halftime and postgame coverage.
He had an 11-year career in the NFL, and helped lead the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl title during the 2013 season.
Sherman spent seven seasons in Seattle before going to San Francisco for three. He was with Tampa Bay last season, but played only five games because of hamstring and calf injuries.
“We’re excited to welcome Richard right off the field and onto our set,” said Jared Stacy, director of Global Live Sports Production, Prime Video, in a statement. “Few people are better equipped to give insight into the modern NFL than Richard. Fans will love seeing his big personality and brilliant football mind on display.”
Sherman will join Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez on set while Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit have been announced as the broadcasting team.