Rams grant LB Ernest Jones IV permission to seek trade

Michael Baca

https://www.nfl.com/news/rams-grant-lb-ernest-jones-iv-permission-to-seek-trade#:~:text=Ernest%20Jones%20IV%20might%20soon,reported%20Sunday%2C%20per%20a%20source.

Ernest Jones IV might soon be taking his tackling talents elsewhere by the start of the 2024 season.

The Los Angeles Rams have had conversations about trading the fourth-year linebacker and have given Jones’ agents permission to help find a landing spot, NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reported Sunday, per a source.

Wolfe reports that stalled contract talks between the Rams and Jones, who’s entering the final year of his rookie contract, led to Sunday’s development.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler first reported the news.

Jones’ potential exit would shake things up for the Rams defense as the 2024 season approaches. The 24-year-old serves as the defensive signal-caller and is coming off his best statistical season in that role, producing a team-high 145 tackles while also notching a career-high 4.5 sacks in 2023.

Christian Rozeboom, Troy Reeder, Jake Hummel, Olakunle Fatukasi and undrafted rookies Omar Speights and Elias Neal currently round out the Rams’ inside linebacking depth chart. Teams are required to trim rosters down to 53 by Tuesday, Aug. 27.

Jones, a third-round pick in 2021, carved out a sizeable role in L.A. as early as his rookie season. He earned his starting role midway through the 2021 season and started in Super Bowl LVI, helping the Rams top the Bengals with seven tackles, one sack and three QB hits to win the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy.

The Rams concluded the preseason with a 17-15 loss in Houston on Saturday night.

Apparently it stands this way: Jones wants an early extension, the Rams aren’t willing to do that. The logic being I suppose that you can only extend so many guys, and the Rams…to date…have tended not to extend ILBs and safeties.

Zooey wrote:

zn wrote:

Apparently it stands this way: Jones wants an early extension, the Rams aren’t willing to do that. The logic being I suppose that you can only extend so many guys, and the Rams…to date…have tended not to extend ILBs and safeties.

That’s what it looks like. But, of course, they used to have Aaron Donald in the middle which meant dominant ILBs was not a need. Even so, it seems sound strategy to me – given the rules favoring the passing game – that the defensive priorities would be LOS/Edge, and versatile coverage guys. I like Jones, but he may be a luxury after his rookie deal is over.

Yeah I don;t know how I feel about it. On the one hand, as you say it makes sense. On the other hand, if this Ram administration regularly screws anything up, it’s extensions. I like Jones. Is it a case where the stone cold hard line should prevail? Or is it worth it to keep Jones? Either way, Jones is good but at the same time he’s not London Fletcher.

nittany ram wrote:

Maybe the Rams would be more interested in extending him if they didn’t have Hacksaw Speights in their back pocket.

There’s a difference though in how Reynolds and Speights got that name.

Reynolds sawed a jeep in half to express his frustration at a loss.

Speights cut a cell phone in half. Of the 2 it was seen as the greater, more symbolically distinguished sacrifice.

wv wrote:

Defense in the ring year had, what?, Aaron Donald, Von Miller, Jalen Ramsey… This year….?

Well to me the simple answer is…we don’t know yet.

I don’t know how deep it goes or how real it is yet, but although I liked Morris, what I saw this preseason was an especially well-coached defense that played fast because it was very keyed in on what it was doing. And that was just the 2s.

I think the secret ingredient this year is Shula. Or, rather, what Shula can do coaching up a young front 7 plus a veteran secondary.

That’s a hunch of course. I have nothing to base it on. Or, just shadowy indications, nothing more.

zn wrote:

zn wrote:

Ernest Jones@ernestjones53

I never asked for a trade

.

Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue The Rams have let starting ILB and team captain Ernest Jones know they are open to trading him, per source. Jones has started since his rookie year, but now enters his fourth season without a contract extension after Rams halted talks in the spring. There’s a difference between a team making it known to a player that they are open to the possibility of trading him, and that player or his camp specifically asking permission to seek a trade.

from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2024/08/25/rams-ernest-jones-trade-request-response/?taid=66cb945b50a52b00011f535a&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

With Jones seeking a new contract, it’s possible the Rams are simply sending him a message by telling him he can see if there’s another team out there willing to meet his asking price. If so, the Rams would be willing to deal him for the right compensation.

InvaderRam wrote:

so which is it? are the rams actively trying to trade him or is jones’ camp seeking a trade. or we just don’t know at this point?

According to Rodrigue, letting him know he can seek a trade is their response to Jones wanting an extension.  That is, Jones is able to do that if he wants to, which is not the same as the Rams  deciding that they will trade him and so as a team are actively seeking trade partners.

BTW Jones deleted the post saying he didn’t ask to be traded.

could you link me to the Rams discussions on reddit? Thanks.

Oh? (via @ernestjones53 on X)
byu/SonOfBuns inLosAngelesRams

Zooey wrote:

Am I just colored by bias, or do the Rams give away valuable assets for pocket change?

It’s not bias, IMO. I think McSnead have a tendency to take too little for Rams in trade, and pay too much for other teams’ wares, including draft picks.

Jones is a solid starting  linebacker, who played very well for the Rams. Chosen in the 3rd round, he at least played up to that slot and is still young. He’s easily worth more than a pick swap, late-rounder. I’d say at least a 3rd on its own. At least.

if jones played out the year and left as a free agent, how much would the compensatory pick be?