Rams' controversial roster move is haunting them in the worst way possible

As the Los Angeles Rams enter Week 4, one of the increasing concerns is the quality and depth of the secondary. While the pass defense was more than enough in the first two games of the season, LA let the Philadelphia Eagles to erupt in the second half of Week 3, allowing quarterback Jalen Hurts to feed a steady diet of passes to his receivers and throw for three touchdowns along the way.

The secondary was supposed to be a new and improved version of its former self, as general manager Les Snead made no offseason moves to upgrade either the cornerback or safety positions. Of course, Los Angeles faced Philly without cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, who was sent to injured reserve after suffering a fractured clavicle in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans.

Los Angeles failed to play veteran cornerback Darious Williams in Week 1.

More provocatively, though, it also released cornerback Derion Kendrick as one step to achieving the 53-man roster limit.

Curiously, he was claimed by the Seattle Seahawks and is doing incredibly well so far in their secondary.

Oops.

Cutting Derion Kendrick is haunting Rams in worst way possible

LA flirted with parting ways with Kendrick in training camp, parting ways with him only to re-sign him days later. But the message was sent and received. The roster was filled with competitive and talented cornerbacks, and Kendrick was on the bubble. That did not change over the course of the preseason, and he was one of several players cut who instantly found homes with new teams.

While the move may have made sense at the time, the potential for instant regret was always in play. Now, just three games into the 2025 season, Kendrick is flourishing with a change of scenery.

Adding salt to the wound is that he is flourishing on an NFC West rival's defense. While only putting up five tackles, he has five pass deflections and two interceptions in just three games.

Standing 6-foot-0 and weighing 199 pounds, Kendrick is also learning to use his size to his advantage in run defense as well. He was exclusively on special teams in the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers. But he has played significant roles in Weeks 2 and 3, defending multiple passes and snagging an interception in each game.

Right now, Los Angeles would love to have him back.

LA opted to go with cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. instead. While Forbes flashes his potential at times, he is by no means the sticky-fingered equal to Kendrick this season. While there is no reward to playing the "what if?" paradox, fans have every right to question the decision that allowed Kendrick to get away just as he was about to explode in a breakout season.

The Rams are still ranked sixth overall in pass defense and fifth-overall in total defense. But Kendrick's departure is already haunting the team after three games.

Worse yet, the Rams must face him twice this season.

As always, thanks for reading.

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