Just under two weeks before the start of the regular season, the Los Angeles Rams made a surprising trade, sending linebacker Ernest Jones, their leading tackler and defensive communicator, to Tennessee for a minor upgrade in a late-round draft pick for 2026. Rams coach Sean McVay initially referred to the trade as a “football decision.” However, two months later, with the team still missing a linebacker of Jones’ caliber, he has been more candid about the unexpected move and its impact on the team. “Every decision we make in the moment feels like it’s in our best interest,” McVay stated on Wednesday. “I won’t pretend that every choice is perfect; we learn from them and move forward. But you know you’re up against a respected player who is mentally and physically tough and always around the ball. I wish him well; it will be a significant challenge to play against him.” Jones is set to face the Rams (3-4) this weekend in Seattle after being traded again.
The struggling Titans received a better return for him than the Rams did when they let go of one of their key defensive players after they couldn’t agree on a contract extension, opting not to let him finish the final year of his rookie deal. A third-round draft pick who made an immediate impact as a rookie in 2021, Jones spent a year learning from Bobby Wagner in 2022 and quickly emerged as one of the NFL’s leading tacklers while also holding his own in pass coverage. He recorded 145 tackles last season, far exceeding any other Rams player and ranking 11th in the league. The decision to trade Jones was particularly surprising given that the Rams lacked a clear replacement for him, especially since he played a crucial role on their Super Bowl-winning team. In his absence, Troy Reeder and Christian Rozeboom have taken over his duties, both having transitioned from the practice squad to key defensive roles in recent years. While they are reliable, neither player matches Jones’ skill set, and savvy offensive coordinators and quarterbacks have seen success targeting them, particularly in passing situations.
McVay has supported Reeder, who stepped in as the defensive communicator before being placed on injured reserve earlier this month, but he acknowledged that Jones operates at a higher level. “I’ve been pleased with some of the things our guys have done,” McVay remarked about Jones’ replacements. “It’s tough to overlook the production Jones has had, especially with what he’s done in Tennessee and even in his first week with Seattle. He’s a great player who contributed a lot for us.” In his debut with the Seahawks last week, Jones made an impressive 15 tackles while playing every snap. He will again have significant responsibilities as Seattle (4-4) faces the Rams in a crucial NFC West matchup. Over his three years with the Rams, Jones became a leader on defense, with former coordinator Raheem Morris relying on him to keep the defense organized.
He was also well-liked in the locker room. “I know what he brings as a player,” Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford said. “He’s physically talented and mentally and emotionally gifted. I loved being his teammate and have a lot of respect for him both on and off the field. It’s just a challenge going against him.” NOTES: OL Joe Noteboom should be ready to return from injured reserve after injuring his ankle in the season opener against Detroit, McVay indicated. … S Kam Curl (knee) and WR Jordan Whittington (shoulder) were limited in practice on Wednesday. … Backup NT Neville Gallimore is recovering from a stinger and may miss this week’s game.
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