Panthers borrow a page from Rams GM Les Snead to double dip from Rams defense

The LA Rams offense is not the only unit that will transform this offseason. With the exodus of NT Bobby Brown III, and other familiar faces on the defensive side of the football, the Rams defense will not return intact for the 2025 NFL season. That is neither a good thing nor a bad thing. It's just the indication that change is afoot. It's up to the front office to restock the roster, and the coaching staff to coach up the new players into cohesive units that will play even harder in 2025.

But Rams fans are not exactly convinced that every change will result in better performers in 2025. THe LA Rams inside linebacker position heading into the 2024 NFL season seemed to be a strong suit of the team. But Ernest Jones was traded for pittance just before the start of the season. The Rams scrambled by starting veterans Troy Reeder and Christian Rozeboom at ILB. But it was not until Troy Reeder was injured that the team found a better combination by pairing up Rozeboom with undrafted rookie ILB Omar Speights.

The thing is, the LA Rams face losing Christian Rozeboom, Troy Reeder, and Jake Hummel to expired contracts. To any players who are NOT scooped up by other teams, the Rams may circle back and re-sign one of two to team-friendly contracts. Of course, that can only happen if that free agent has not signed with another team.

Starting inside linebacker Christian Rozeboom will not return. He has signed on with the Carolina Panthers:

That places two Rams starters on defense on the Panthers roster. And that is not something that slipped past Bobby Brown on social media when a fan asked about how well Rozeboom played for the Rams in 2024:

And in many respects, Brown is not simply embellishing a former teammate. Of the combinations used in 2024, the combination of Speights/Rozeboom seemed to be the most effective. Of course, there is plenty of room to improve, as Rozeboom was pancaked repeatedly by the Philadelphia Eagles offensive linemen in the playoffs.

The Rams 6-foot-2 237-pound starter finally had his breakout season. He put up 135 tackles, 1.0 quarterback sacks, five tackles for a loss, and four pass deflections, all career highs. If the Rams had to settle on returning a linebacker, Rozeboom was the best option.

The Rams only options now are Jake Hummel or Troy Reeder. Of course, the Rams may seek rookie help, but historically the team has rostered the inside linebacker position after the draft ends. Will this year be any different? Let's hope for the best.

As always, thanks for reading.

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