Big Update on Ernest Jones' Rams Future Emerges
By Jovan Alford
The Los Angeles Rams surprised the football world this past season by winning 10 games and making the postseason despite not having their best team. The Rams got the job done with a great mixture of veterans and young players who stepped up down the stretch of the 2023 campaign.
One of those players who played an integral part in the Rams’ success in 2023 was linebacker Ernest Jones. The 24-year-old linebacker has been a playmaker over the last two seasons after being drafted in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
The former South Carolina standout has one more year left on his rookie deal before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2025.
Jordan Rodrigue of The Athletic wrote Wednesday that Jones is “a candidate for an early extension,” and preliminary discussions have begun. However, Rodrigue adds that there isn’t a rush from either side to get a deal done.
Preliminary extension conversations have opened with Ernest Jones, multiple sources said (but no hurry); plus players unlikely to receive tender, what restructure (or cut) is imminent, positions the Rams are monitoring v closely, OL market reads, and more https://t.co/ry7Lt0Ieww
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) March 7, 2024
The 6-foot-2 linebacker posted career-highs across the board with 145 combined tackles, 14 tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, six pass deflections, and 4.5 sacks.
Jones also wasn’t horrible in pass coverage in 2023, recording a 70.8 completion percentage allowed on targets, a 93.6 pass rating allowed when targeted (career-high), and gave up one touchdown.
The Rams have some financial flexibility this offseason ($40M) and are projected to have $82M in cap space next offseason. Therefore, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Rams re-up Jones this offseason as he’s one of their best linebackers and a part of their young core on defense.
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