The St. Louis Rams did not re-tender safety O.J. Atogwe at $6.976 million as they needed to do to assure them of his services this season. As a result, Atogwe is now an unrestricted free agent.
Atogwe, the Rams’ franchise player last offseason, is now one of the top free agents, if not the top free agent available.
The Rams still would like to re-sign him, just at a lower salary than the nearly $7 million they would have been obliged to pay this season.
Atogwe is coming off an injury-shortened 2009 season. A shoulder injury landed him on injured reserve. He also underwent hernia surgery.
Despite playing a shortened season, Atogwe still recorded 74 tackles, three forced fumbles, two interceptions and a sack in 12 games. Atogwe, who will turn 29 this month, has 19 interceptions in his five-year NFL career.
The two sides are expected to continue talking. But the Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings all might have some level of interest in Atogwe as well.
Adam Schefter is ESPN’s NFL Insider. ESPN.com’s Mike Sando contributed to this report.
By Adam Schefter
ESPN
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