EARTH CITY, Mo. -- For the Los Angeles Rams to keep many of their key pieces, they had to let three go.

Ultimately, that's what Friday's release of veteran leaders Chris Long, James Laurinaitis and Jared Cook boiled down to. It wasn't easy to say goodbye to the locker room staples, especially Long and Laurinaitis. That much was evident in coach Jeff Fisher's lengthy statement about the moves. It also wasn't a surprise.

Simply put, Long, Laurinaitis and Cook made too much money relative to their production, and the Rams have younger, ascending players that they can't afford to lose.

Such is the cycle in the NFL. It wasn't so long ago that Long and Laurinaitis were those young, ascending players the Rams signed to lucrative long-term contracts. Long signed a four-year extension worth $48.2 million and Laurinaitis inked a five-year, $41.5 million deal just before the 2012 season. In the time since, Long and Laurinaitis became the team's longest-tenured players. They won over teammates and coaches with their leadership skills and professional approach, and fans with their personalities.

"I'm just disappointed we didn't accomplish more," Laurinaitis said. "I thought we'd be a playoff contending team by now, especially since [Fisher] came over. I really thought after that first year, I thought that next year might be it. I was really hoping on getting over that hump and being able to be a part of the turnaround. That's probably the most disappointing thing.

"I love that group of guys that's in the locker room. I'm going to miss those guys. Knowing that Chris got released today as well and there's [only a few] guys that were there before Fish now, so I'm going to miss the guys in the locker room. I had relationships with a bunch of them and friendships. It's just really one of those moments where you're like, 'Man, it's going to stink not playing with those guys again.' "

Ultimately, the big picture always will take center stage, and that's exactly what happened.

In parting with Long, Laurinaitis and Cook, the Rams saved about $24 million in salary cap space, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Although the final cap number isn't set yet, the Rams figure to have approximately $60 million in cap room available this offseason.

While that probably will lead to a big spending spree, it will be focused on players the team already has in house. Namely, cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson as well as safety Rodney McLeod and safety/linebacker Mark Barron. The Rams have invested four years in the first three and found a fit for Barron when he filled in for an injured Alec Ogletree for most of the 2015 season.

The Rams would like to retain all four of those players, and though they already had their share of money to spend, they now have enough flexibility to make deals with all of them without having to wonder where they'd fit under the cap. Of course, that doesn't mean such deals are imminent. Yes, the Rams are well-positioned to strike a deal with that secondary quartet, but it would be unusual for players to re-sign this close to the start of free agency.

That doesn't mean the Rams won't try. Next week's scouting combine will yield meetings with the representatives for all four of those players and talks probably will gain more traction then. Those talks could lead to deals early in the "legal tampering" window, which starts on March 7. Being only a couple of weeks from the new league year, it probably would take an offer too good to pass up to keep a player from at least exploring what the market could bring.

The additional cap space also should give the Rams a chance to lock up other important pieces such as ends William Hayes and Eugene Sims. It also could mean progress can be made on a long-term deal for defensive tackle Michael Brockers, who is under team control for 2016 but still could be in line for an extension.

As for replacing the trio of Long, Cook and Laurinaitis, the Rams believe they have in-house options in place. One likely scenario would see Ogletree moving to middle linebacker with Barron taking over at weak side linebacker should he re-sign. Hayes also could step into the starting role he filled for Long, again assuming the team is able to retain him. And while the Rams signed Lance Kendricks to a long-term contract last offseason, they will be in the market for another tight end this offseason.

Long, Cook and Laurinaitis, meanwhile, can begin seeking other opportunities, perhaps even one that will result in a chance to win a championship. Days like Friday aren't much fun for players, teams or fans. But as the NFL constantly reminds us, they're always going to be necessary.