DC Chris Shula delivers a modern NFL miracle turning lead into defensive gold

How do the Rams create QB pressure?

The first challenge for this defense is how to manage creating pressure on opposing quarterbacks in a season after All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald retired. It is common knowledge that Donald delivered unstoppable pressure, but his ability to attract the focus of opposing offensive linemen freed up teammates to make plays.

The Rams struck gold in the 2023 NFL Draft. Not only did the team land a pair of top-notch pass rushers in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft in former Tennessee OLB Byron Young and Wake Forest NT Kobie Turner. Not only did the Rams rookies deliver, but they forged a strong friendship in 2023 that compelled them to strive even higher.

Having that experience from 2023, the Rams engineered a similar situation in the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting both OLB Jared Verse and DT Braden Fiske in the 2024 NFL Draft. While the scenario appeared organically, the team had to trade up in Round 2 to be in a position to select Fiske. As NFL Draft analysts sneered and scoffed, I applauded the move.

Their presence on the Rams' defensive front has been outstanding. The young players have been ramping up a pass rush that continues to improve each week. In the Wild Card Round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs, the dam broke and the Rams Unleashed the Kraken on Vikings veteran QB Sam Darnold.

Is pressuring the quarterback enough, though? After all, at some point the Rams defensive front hand to convert chasing quarterbacks into sacking quarterbacks. That point never quite seemed to happen in the regular season. But it did happen in a loud and proud way in the NFL Playoffs with 9.0 quarterback sacks against the Minnesota Vikings. That tied a modern NFL record for most quarterback sacks in a playoff game.

So one goal has been accomplished.