Tight end Tyler Higbee has never played for any NFL team besides the Los Angeles Rams. That’s very likely going to remain the case for a few more years.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Thursday night the Rams signed Higbee to a 2-year, $8 million contract. The deal will prevent the tight end from testing free agency next week.
“Higbee remains a valuable player and leader for Sean McVay and the locker room as the Rams’ all-time leader among TEs in receptions, yards and TDs,” wrote Schultz.
In a quote tweet, Schultz added: “Tyler Higbee has been in LA since the Rams moved there. He’s an essential component to Sean McVay’s offense and is now secured for two more years.”
Minutes after Schultz’ report, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport also reported Higbee and the Rams agreed to a new deal.
Unless traded or released during the 2-year agreement, Higbee will complete 12 seasons with the team. The tight end turned 33 in January.
Rams Sign Tyler Higbee to 2-Year Contract: Report
Uncertainty surrounded the veteran tight end, as he was set to become an unrestricted free agent on March 9. But with his contract Thursday, Higbee will be back with the Rams for an 11th season in 2026.
Approaching his mid-thirties, the tight end isn’t the same player. In 2025, he had 25 catches for 281 yards with three touchdowns over 10 games.
But Schultz outlined why Higbee remains such an important player for the Rams.
Los Angeles drafted him at No. 110 overall in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Head coach Sean McVay arrived during his second season.
Since then, Higbee has eclipsed the 200-yard mark every season except 2024 when he only played three contests.
His best statistical year came in 2019 when Higbee had 69 catches, 734 yards and three touchdowns. That was the start of a run that saw the tight end reach at least 500 receiving yards in four consecutive seasons.
In 2023, he just barely ended that streak with 495 receiving yards.
Overall, Higbee had caught 386 passes for 3,949 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns during his career. As Schultz indicated, he is first among Rams tight ends in history for all three categories.
Higbee’s 386 receptions also has him ranked eighth all-time for the franchise.
Rams TE Depth Entering 2026 NFL Free Agency
Higbee and fellow veteran Nick Vannett were set to be the Rams’ unrestricted free agents at tight end. With Higbee set to return now, the team’s tight end room might be complete.
2025 rookie Terrance Ferguson, Davis Allen and Colby Parkinson were already under contract for next season. Higbee will be the fourth tight end on the team’s offseason roster who played last year.
All five of those tight ends appeared in games for the Rams during 2025. So, it’s possible Los Angeles could still add another tight end in free agency.
But Vannett lined up for just 24 offensive snaps. With 51 snaps, he didn’t play all that much on special teams either.
Parkinson led the Rams tight ends with 54.71% of the team’s offensive snaps last season. Higbee played 32.25% of the time on offense.
In the tight end room, Allen and Ferguson played the most on special teams.
Rams Make Move With TE Tyler Higbee Days Before NFL Free Agency: Report