Eight months ago, after he helped them make an unexpected run to the playoffs, linebacker Ernest Jones IV appeared to be a key player in the Rams’ future.
Now, because of a contract impasse, he’s history.
On Tuesday, the Rams were in the process of trading Jones to the Tennessee Titans, a person with knowledge of the situation said. The person requested anonymity because the deal had not been announced.
The Rams sent Jones and a 2026 sixth-round pick to Tennessee for a 2026 fifth-round pick.
The Rams are now preparing for the Sept. 8 opener at Detroit — and a Lions offense that ranked among the NFL’s best in 2023 — with an inside linebacker corps that includes Troy Reeder, Christian Rozeboom, Jacob Hummel, Omar Speights, an undrafted rookie who made a big impact in preseason games.
“I have a ton of respect for Ernest and I’m excited about what he’ll do in Tennessee and what he’s meant here,” coach Sean McVay said during a videoconference with reporters after the roster was trimmed to 53 players. “But this was a decision that we feel like is best for our football team with the guys that we have.”
The Rams will not be in the market for a veteran linebacker to help fill the void left by Jones’ departure, McVay said. In regard to calling defensive plays on the field, the Rams “have a lot of guys that are great candidates, that are great communicators, from the front to the back,” McVay said.
The trade marked an unceremonious end to Jones’ time with the Rams, who selected him in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft. Jones became a starter midway through his rookie season and helped the Rams win Super Bowl LVI. Last season, he was a team captain and made a team-best 145 tackles, including 4½ sacks.
In the aftermath of Aaron Donald’s retirement, Jones appeared to be the cornerstone of a defense now under the direction of Chris Shula, who succeeded Raheem Morris as defensive coordinator.
In April, however, Rams general manager Les Snead indicated at the NFL owners annual meeting that the Rams wanted Jones to play out the final year of his rookie contract before considering an extension.
Jones was not on the field for several offseason workouts. McVay said it was not contract related, and that Jones was dealing with a knee issue. During training camp, Jones also was sidelined for several practices, a situation that McVay said put Jones behind.
The Rams completed cuts Tuesday and set their 53-man roster.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and offensive lineman Alaric Jackson are suspended for the first two games, but are included in a total of 55 players. Injured players such as tight end Tyler Higbee, offensive lineman KT Leveston, defensive lineman Larell Murchison and cornerback Tre Tomlinson are not.
Former Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson talks with (from left) Matthew Stafford, Stetson Bennett and Jimmy Garoppolo.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Snead and McVay probably will do some shuffling in the next few days, but here is a look at the roster:
Quarterback (3): Matthew Stafford, Garoppolo, Stetson Bennett
Stafford, 36, begins his 16th NFL season. The top pick in the 2009 NFL draft was sidelined or limited for about a week during training camp because of a hamstring issue. The Rams invested heavily in the offensive line to protect him.
Garoppolo, an 11th-year pro, gives the Rams veteran experience in case Stafford is injured. Garoppolo is suspended for the first two games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances while playing for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Bennett, a 2023 fourth-round draft pick, will be the backup for the first two weeks. Bennett was on the NFL’s nonfootball injury/illness list his rookie season, but he showed McVay enough during this preseason to earn a role.
Running back (3): Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Ronnie Rivers
Last season, Williams rushed for 1,144 yards and scored 15 touchdowns. He was held out of drills during offseason workouts because of a foot injury but appears fully recovered.
Corum, a third-round draft pick, starred at Michigan and gives the Rams a nice complement to Williams. Rivers has shown that he can be reliable and effective when called upon for spot duty or a larger role.
Wide receiver (6): Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell, Jordan Whittington, Tyler Johnson
Kupp, the 2021 NFL offensive player of the year, appears fully recovered from the hamstring and ankle injuries that plagued him in 2023.
Nacua is coming off a record-setting rookie season. He sat out several weeks of preseason workouts after suffering a knee injury during a joint practice with the Chargers.
Robinson emerged as a dependable third receiver last season and earned a new contract. The speedy Atwell, a second-round pick in 2021, is in the final year of his contract. Whittington, a sixth-round pick, could find a rotational role. Johnson is a fifth-year pro.
Tight end (3): Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen, Hunter Long
With veteran Higbee recovering from knee surgery, the Rams signed Parkinson to a three-year contract that included $15.5 million in guarantees. Allen, a second-year pro, contributed as a rookie and has continued to develop. Long was slowed by injuries last season but he made some plays during training camp.
Offensive line (10): Rob Havenstein, Kevin Dotson, Steve Avila, Jonah Jackson, Alaric Jackson, Joe Noteboom, Warren McClendon Jr., Beaux Limmer, Logan Bruss, Conor McDermott
The Rams gave Dotson and Jonah Jackson huge contracts, tendered Alaric Jackson and moved Avila from guard to center to solidify the line, protect Stafford and clear the way for Williams. Injuries and suspensions, however, will delay the unit becoming cohesive.
Alaric Jackson is suspended for the first two games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Jonah Jackson has not participated in team drills while recovering from a shoulder injury suffered early in training camp. Havenstein also is questionable for the opener because of an ankle injury.
Noteboom and McClendon, a second-year pro, could be the starting tackles for the opener.
Avila has made a smooth transition to center.
Defensive line (6): Kobie Turner, Bobby Brown III, Braden Fiske, Desjuan Johnson, Tyler Davis, Cory Durden
With future Hall of Famer Donald retired, Turner takes over as the leader of the defensive line. Turner had nine sacks last season and was a finalist for NFL defensive rookie of the year.
The Rams need consistent play from Brown, who is in the final year of his contract. The Rams traded up to select Fiske in the second round of the draft. The former Florida State standout appears ready for a major role.
Rams Byron Young (0), Bobby Brown III (95), Kobie Turner (91) and Michael Hoecht (97) talk on the practice field.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Edge rusher (5): Byron Young, Jared Verse, Michael Hoecht, Nick Hampton, Brennan Jackson
Young recorded eight sacks as a rookie in 2023. The Rams selected Verse with the 19th pick in the draft, making him the team’s first first-round pick since 2016. Verse and Young give the Rams a youthful and talented presence on the edges.
The Rams re-signed Hoecht, who had six sacks last season, to a one-year contract for nearly $3 million. Hampton flashed as a rookie in 2023. Jackson, a fifth-round draft pick, was sidelined most of training camp because of an injury.
Linebacker (5): Troy Reeder, Christian Rozeboom, Jake Hummel, Omar Speights, Elias Neal
In the wake of the Jones trade, the entire position group consists of players signed through the years as undrafted free agents.
Reeder has the most experience. Speights, a rookie from Louisiana State, was a standout during training camp and the first two preseason games.
Cornerback (5): Tre’Davious White, Darious Williams, Cobie Durant, Charles Woods, Josh Wallace
White played his first seven seasons with the Buffalo Bills. He is coming off 2023 Achilles surgery, but appears ready to start.
Williams rejoined the Rams after two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was sidelined most of training camp because of a hamstring injury but returned to drills Monday.
After playing in the slot last season, Durant is getting more opportunities to play outside.
Safety (6): Quentin Lake, Kamren Curl, Kamren Kinchens, John Johnson, Russ Yeast, Jaylen McCollough
The versatile Lake, a third-year pro, will start and could step into the leadership role former safety Jordan Fuller held.
Curl played his first four seasons for the Washington Commanders. Kinchens, a third-round pick from Miami, made plays throughout training camp and joint practices with the Chargers, Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans.
Johnson is a seasoned, savvy veteran. Yeast started nine games last season. McCollough, an undrafted free agent, impressed coaches with his play-making ability and maturity.
Specialists (3): K Joshua Karty, P Ethan Evans, LS Alex Ward
Karty, a sixth-round pick, made five of six field-goal attempts and two of three extra-point attempts during the preseason. Evans averaged 38.5 net yards per punt as a rookie in 2023. Ward is back for his second season.