It only took one preseason game for this Rams rookie to climb the depth chart

The Los Angeles Rams maintained a tight rotation at the outside linebacker position in 2024, which included starting Byron Young and Jared Verse, as well as rotational pass rusher Michael Hoecht. With the team allowing Hoecht to sign elsewhere in the offseason, there is a sense of urgency to fill his shows with one or two players.

LA opened the preseason with a 31-21 win over the Dallas Cowboys. The first unofficial depth chart hinted that the team is leaning toward veteran experience over rookie upside, but the box score told a different story — of the eight players battling for meaningful snaps this preseason, only three made an appearance.

The defense got two tackles from Josh Pearcy, one tackle from Brennan Jackson, and a quarterback sack from Josaiah Stewart. And it just so happened that Stewart's sack coincided with the broadcast booth linking into Rams Head Coach Sean McVay on the sidelines.

Stewart showed why the Rams drafted him for this pass rush

After the play, McCay commented that it was Stewart (No. 41) in a race to the quarterback with teammate Nick Hampton (No. 6).

Stewart wanted to ensure that he threw his hat into the "don't forget about me during roster cuts" ring. And he did so with added flair, while McVay was wearing the headset and talking to the broadcast booth.

The Rams did not get any statistics from Hampton, Keir Thomas, or Jamil Muhammad in this game. Of course, we await snap counts. We knew that entering the preseason, neither starting edge rusher would see any playing time. However, that also means there is the possibility of someone earning a roster spot in the preseason.

Anyone who hopes to succeed in this pass-rushing unit has to possess a rare combination of blazing speed, flexibility, and power. Otherwise, they will simply be spectators as their competition demolishes the quarterback. Stewart checks the boxes and seems to possess that speed off the edge that will keep him in the running for sacking the quarterback on every play.

Sure, it's only one preseason game. But that is all that rookie edge rusher Josaiah Stewart has for now. And he absolutely made the most of his opportunity to climb the depth chart. As always, thanks for reading.

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