With the season a few days away, the Los Angeles Rams‘ decisions are not looking positive. After contract negotiations with Ernest Jones IV and his agents, which stretched for months, nothing could be finalized. Now, they have given the green light for the linebacker to seek a trade. This will come as a blow to the team, particularly to their Heach Coach Sean McVay.

The coach praised Ernest Jones IV for his magnificent performances last season. After their week 16 win against the New Orleans Saints in 2023, the coach called him a captain and said, “He’s a captain. He’s got such an energy. We love him and I’m really grateful to have him on this squad.” It can upset the coach and change the dynamics.

The rookie won the hearts of fans ever since he donned the Rams jersey. In his rookie year in 2021, he had seven tackles with one sack and a pass defense in the Super Bowl LVI victory against Cincinnati Bengals. Last year, he elevated his status as a linebacker with 145 tackles and 4.5 sacks across 15 games with a 93% snap share. Riding on his electrifying defense, the team won the last 4 games in a row and qualified for the playoffs. Everything was going in his favor in this off-season as well.

In April this off-season, Rams’ key LB Aaron Donald retired. Jones was set to take over. He was brimming with confidence upon becoming the leader of the defense and said, “From the moment I got here, this was a goal of mine, to be the leader of this defense.” But Rams GM Les Snead had hinted in March that they would like the LB to play in his final rookie deal year instead of extending his contract. Everyone, including Sean McVay, was hopeful of a new deal, but that didn’t happen.

Rams’ defense looked solid with the LB. Will it hold that same strength without him?

Sean McVay’s Linebacker options

The Rams’ defense showed its mettle during the 2nd preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The first stoppages were done by a rookie! Linebacker Omar Speights made 8 tackles, the most by any rookie LB this season. What’s more impressive is that 5 out of those 8 were above average. In his very first play, the rookie intercepted the Chargers’ WR Jaelen Gill. Speights is following the path of Jake Hummel, who set the record for most tackles during the preseason for the LA Rams in his rookie year in 2022.

Hummel also looked in fine form during the Chargers game. As soon as their (Chargers) QB Easton Stick fumbled a snap, the LB didn’t waste any time to recover the pigskin. They already have Christian Rozeboom and Troy Reeder, who are most likely to start as linebackers for the team. Although Sean McVay does seem to have options, the loss of their captain Ernest Jones IV would hurt them.

The HC promoted Chris Shula to their defensive coordinator in the early offseason. Now, both have a mammoth task at hand. They start their season against the Detroit Lions on September 8. Can they give confidence to the locker room by then? Fans are keenly watching.

Next up, catch the exclusive scoop with Chris Gronkowski on the Dual Threat Show with BG12! You won’t want to miss this.