LA Rams HC Sean McVay may have clarified Ernest Jones rumors, or not

The LA Rams and their ongoing negotiations with veteran inside linebacker Ernest Jones IV may not be making much progress. But with the team realizing that they have have hit the jackpot twice by signing undrafted free agents Omar Speights out of LSU, and Elias Nel out of Marshall, both energetic and feisty inside linebackers, the situation seems to be rather complicated right now.

While we do not 'know' what we thought we did, there is a lot to unpack here. But with conflicting messaging, we must list a composite number of facts that we do know. And then, we can confirm that with messaging stated by Rams HC Sean McVay, So let's get started,

1. The Rams gave Ernest Jones's agent permission to speak with other NFL teams - This is confirmed, but does not indicate that either side wants to trade Jones. This is merely a formality to allow other NFL teams to speak with Jones' representation without triggering penalties.
2. Ernest Jones never asked for a trade - This is confirmed by the player (via a now-deleted Tweet) and Rams HC Sean McVay.
3. Rams have had discussions with other teams about Ernest Jones - Again, this has been confirmed by HC Sean McVay. While we cannot be privy to those conversations, teams hold discussions over the possibilities ot trading players.
4. Taking it a day at a time - This is coachspeak which states that this is a very fluid situation that could change drastically at a moment's notice.
5. Coach McVay expects to have more information to share soon - The matter is still developing. Tomorrow is a better day to summarize the matter.

So you can fill in the blanks at your own discretion. But here are some social media bits of information that confirms the above-stated facts.

NFL Insider Andrew Siciliano picked up the point about the Rams HC Sean McVay confirming that the team did have some 'dialogue with teams.' That is a significant point, revealing the front office is gathering facts on which to base a decision. Whether that decision is exclusively how much Ernest Jones should be paid, or how much he is worth in a trade, is up to you to decide:

And finally, even team reporter Stu Jackson repeats all the facts stated above. Because he is plugged into the team, his reports are almost as good as speaking to Coach McVay or GM Les Snead:

But then, there was one more added bit of information, noticed but not discussed. Veteran ILB was not sighted at the open portion of the Rams practice:

Traditionally, players who are a principle to ongoing NFL trade negotiations are held out of practices so as to ensure that the player is not injured. Of course, many NFL players who are seeking a contract adjustment or extension hold themselves out of practice for the same reason.

Jones not sighted at practice, coupled with a 'day to day' description of event certainly does not scream 'Ernest Jones will play for this team throughout 2024.' But what it does say? It's almost anybody's guess now. All I can say is that as much as we now know, we really don't know until the team has set it's 53-man roster.

And even then, there may be lingering questions over Ernest Jones trade rumors. I admit that I have some, perhaps more than before.

Thanks for reading.