Solid reasons why Rams are painted into corner over ILB Ernest Jones extension

On March 25, 2024, LA Rams starting ILB Ernest Jones Tweeted a cryptic message that seemed to suggest that he was about to be paid handsomely in his next contract and that his extension was ready to be inked. But by the time OTAs were done, that same Tweet was deleted. Did Ernest Jones jump the gun? Did he believe that his new deal was nearly done, but the team had a different timetable in mind?

Worse yet, did the team rethink their intent to extend Ernest Jones, and the young anchor of the Rams defense will be peddling his wares elsewhere at the end of this season, the final year of his rookie contract? Don't bet on it.

For what it's worth, the Rams need starting inside linebacker Ernest Jones right now, perhaps the greatest need of an inside linebacker since hiring HC Sean McVay. With new Defensive Coordinator taking over the defensive reins, and the retirement of All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald, this defense needs a key player to lead the group, as well as a tough, physical, and ruthless gladiator to redefine the tone and tempo of this new defensive group.

And Ernest Jones checks all of the boxes.

It's become rather apparent that Shula intends to blend the best of the strategies and roles of his predecessors, and will do so by engaging key defensive contributors to accomplish that task. Much like the special relationship between HC Sean McVay and his starting QB Matthew Stafford, DC Chris Shula envisions ILB Ernest Jones as the one person who can make his high-energy defense purr like a kitten. But, when they take the field, roar like a pride of Lions.

In 2024, Ernest Jones is the Lion King.