Rams send undeniable message to OLB Keir Thomas with one-year prove-it deal

The Los Angeles Rams have agreed to a one-year deal with linebacker Keir Thomas II, extending his tenure with the franchise for a fifth overall season.

Unfortunately, he has only spent three of them on the field. After sustaining an injury in the preseason, Thomas spent all of 2025 on injured reserve, a disappointing turn of events for the maturing depth piece. 

Now, the Rams have offered the 28-year-old a 'prove-it' arrangement. If Thomas performs well, he could earn himself a more lucrative deal next offseason. 

For Los Angeles, it's effectively a free-roll on a potential rotation player. With contract details pending, call it a win-win opportunity. 

Rams welcome back a familiar face on low-risk contract

Thomas donned Blue and Yellow in 2022 as an undrafted free agent out of Florida State. In three seasons for the Rams, he has appeared in 17 games, recording 13 total tackles and three tackles for loss. In addition to his work at outside linebacker, Thomas has also been involved in special teams. 

Particularly at Florida State, where he transferred after five years at South Carolina (he lost most of 2019 to an ankle infection), Thomas flashed promise as a playmaker. In his single season as a Seminole, he registered 6.5 sacks and 12 TFLs, easily career-bests in each category. 

In 59 career college games, he tallied 184 total tackles, 15 sacks, and 30.5 TFLs. 

Clearly, the Rams haven't given up on him. Since turning pro, Thomas has maintained consistent ties with the organization, bouncing between the practice squad and the active roster. Before his injury, a promotion to a regular spot on the 53-man unit seemed possible after he impressed in training camp. 

It was not to be, but now he has battled back. 

With a one-year deal and no dollar amount yet known, the team has sent him a clear message: we're still interested, but you'll have to prove it on the football field before earning a more secure commitment.

On the current depth chart at outside linebacker, Thomas would slide in behind starters Byron Young and Jared Verse and reserves Josiah Stewart and Nick Hampton. Obviously, that does not account for future signings or draft picks.

As he regains his footing after a yearlong absence, it's also possible that Thomas takes up residence on the practice squad. Perhaps he isn't back to square one, but he will have to climb his way back up the ranks.

He will have the chance to do so in familiar territory. The Rams are the only NFL team Thomas has known. Not counting his new contract, he has earned every dollar of his $1,757,222 in career earnings here in Los Angeles.  

If this year turns out the way both sides hope, with good health leading to meaningful contributions, Thomas could be in line to add to that total more substantially in 2027. As contract details come out, Rams fans should know more soon.