Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay thinks Tavon Austin will be a “big part” of their offense. But if he isn’t, it’s not the end of the world.

Austin signed a four-year, $42 million extension with Los Angeles before the 2016 season. Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead recently called his contract “the most puzzling in the NFL” and listed the Rams receiver as one of the five most overpaid players in the league.

It’s true Austin, who has missed minicamp due to a recent wrist surgery, has struggled to live up to the hype his contract indicates he’s worth. But the Rams do have the option to move on after this season.

Alden Gonzalez wrote about the future of Austin with Los Angeles (via ESPN):

Over the past two years, the Rams have drafted seven receivers and tight ends. They brought in an entirely new coaching staff, and they allocated more than $30 million for a free-agent receiver in Robert Woods. Austin was given a four-year, $42 million extension weeks before the start of the 2016 season. But there is only $5 million in dead money tied to his contract after this year, which means they can easily part ways with Austin if he doesn’t fit McVay’s scheme.

Austin is the second-highest paid player on the roster for the 2017 season and is a lofty $14.9 million cap hit. However, his cap number drops to just $8 million after this year. That’s the same amount Robert Woods will make in 2018.

If the Rams decide to cut Austin if he does not work under McVay, it will cost them $5 million in 2018. For comparison, the Rams will certainly not waive their wideout this season. It would cost $19.9 million to cut him in 2017.

With rookie Cooper Kupp likely in the slot, Austin is expected to play a different (more vertical) role moving forward. In the ESPN report, Austin spoke about his versatility

I’m just the type of guy who wants the ball in my hands any type of way. It might be vertically, or jet sweeps, screens, it doesn’t really matter to me. I just want the ball in my hands any way I can get it. I’m just taking that in. Whatever he prepared for me, I definitely will be ready.

From a personnel perspective, the Rams have a deep core of receivers who can potentially take over for Austin. Mike Thomas, for example, has been the recipient of significant praise recently.

If he improves on his 2016 campaign, he could see more playing time in Los Angeles. Pharoh Cooper, another speedy wideout, may have an increased role on the Rams as well.

Woods, who has said he feels he can be a No. 1 receiver for the team, might be a viable option to take over the majority of the targets for Jared Goff in 2017.

While it would be great to have Austin on the Rams as a star receiver, they do have options if he does not fit the new system.