The Los Angeles Rams signed Sony Michel just a month before starting training camp at UC Irvine. The veteran running back was a welcome addition to a room full of youngsters. Cam Akers figures to be the work horse in 2023, but behind him are two second-year backs in Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers and sixth-round rookie Zach Evans.
The Rams likely turned to Michel not for production into the season, but instead for veteran leadership amongst a group still learning the ropes in the NFL.
So when Michel surprised the NFL world by announcing his retirement just a week into training camp, it makes sense why Los Angeles turned to a journeyman in Royce Freeman over someone who could legitimately compete for playing time in Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette, Kareem Hunt, or Kenyan Drake.