Rams' full trade return for Ernest Jones is extremely underwhelming

It saddens me to say that the explosion of NFL rumors over the imminent trade scenario about LA Rms veteran inside linebacker Ernest Jones were true, albeit with a few of the minor details cross-pollinated. The details, however mixed-up to this point in time, pointed to everything coming to head rather quickly. And in retrospect, if you guessed that the team was behind the interest to move on from Ernest Jones, you would not be wrong.

We found out today that the LA Rams have reportedly agreed to trade starting ILB Ernest Jones to the Tennessee Titans. The only remaining question to be answered is: What did the team get in return?

Well, when you look at the trade details, not much. Of course, the team has historically surrendered the most value in any negotiated trade to ensure the player lands on a team they wish to play for. Based on the return of this trade, that also seems to be the case here. So what did the Rams get in return? NFL Insider Adam Schefter has the details:

So it comes down to this:

I won't lie, when you look at this exchange, you cannot help but emerge thinking that the Rams got next to nothing for Jones, who by many accounts is set for a Pro Bowl-caliber season. So for all of the Tennessee Titans fans who may be reading? Congratulations. You got a good one. And you get him on the fourth and final year of his rookie contract to trial him for a full season before committing to him on a contract extension.

Yes, Ernest Jones is very good. And the Rams got next to nothing in return. That seems to be a Rams tradition.

But if Ernest Jones was not asking to be traded, why did the Rams agree to this? Well, the team faced a squeeze at the 53-man roster cut deadline, with two very promising and undrafted rookies skyrocketing on the depth chart in ILB Omar Speights and Elias Neal. Combine that with the recent challenge of keeping Jones healthy and on the football field. In 51 possible games, he has played in 47. That may not be much, but the same ailment was responsible for his absences, a knee. And that knee was a factor in training camp.

The Rams have promising talent that they are confident in entrusting this season. Ernest Jones, meanwhile, has a clean slate to start over to negotiate a long-term contract.

The LA Rams are risk takers. This move is a huge risk.

Thanks for reading.