Rams TE Hunter Long and NT Bobby Brown III quickly find new homes

While the Los Angeles Rams opened the 2025 NFL Free Agency market with a shopping spree, the door to the Rams roster swings both ways. Either I underestimated the quality of the New NFL general managers, or they have done their homework. Several quality free agents that I had hoped might slip under the radar to circle back to the Rams at below market prices never made it out of Day 1 of free agency.

My heart sank a little bit when the Buffalo Bills reached an agreement to sign DC Chris Shula's secret weapon on defense, DT/OLB Michael Hoecht. Hoecht agreed to a three-year deal worth as much as $24 million. The Rams valued Hoecht's contribution, but I suspect that they were unwilling to get that high in their contract offer.

But the Rams had to say farewell to two other 2024 contributors as well. So, who are they?

Colby Parkinson arrival sealed this player's fate

As soon as the LA Rams signed former Seattle Seahawks tight end Colby Parkinson to a three-year contract in 2024, the writing was on the wall. While the hope was that Parkinson would become the natural successor to starting tight end Tyler Higbee, that never really happened. But what did happen is that the Rams committed to a tight end who could block and catch passes, a combination that Hunter Long struggled to showcase in this offense.

But former Rams personnel executie James Gladstone noticed Hunter Long's positive attitude, excellent work ethic, and ability to block, and wanted to bring that to the Jacksonville Jaguars. You see, Gladstone is the new Jaguars General Manager, and former Rams offensive coordinator Liam Coen is his head coach.

If anyone can unlock Long's NFL potential, this pair can do it.

Some like Hunter Long, but the team was never going to keep him. Not only do the Rams have starter Tyler Higbee and blocking tight end Colby Parkinson, but the team has young tight end Davis Allen, who is the jack-of-all-trades in that he can catch passes as well as block. But he has not mastered either role.

That does not even begin to take into account that the Rams are more likely than not to draft a tight end in the 2025 NFL Draft by the end of Day 2. The rookie tight end prospects in this rookie class are talented and NFL ready. Typically, one tight end is selected in Round 1 of the draft about 50 percent of the time. In the 2025 NFL Draft, two and perhaps as many as three tight ends will be selected in Round 1.

Bobby Brown gets his chance to be more than a run-stuffer now

While the Rams had a true need for a nose tackle that specialized at stuffing the run, nose tackle Bobby Brown III rejected the premise that he is just a one-trick pony. Now, he will have a chance to prove it with the Carolina Panthers, as he had reached an agreement to play for them.

Per Spotrac.com, the terms of the deal are three years with a total value of $21 million. While I do not suspect the Rams had made an offer of that magnitude, if at all, I would venture a guess that Brown was seeking more than money in his next contract. He was earnest in his social media defense of his ability to blend pass rushing skills into his menu. And with the Panthers, he will get that opportunity.

The Rams added former Los Angeles Chargers NT Poona Ford, who had a sensational season at defending both the run and the pass for the Chargers in 2024. The Chargers were very successful in 2024, but they did allow 140 rushing yards to Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry. Meanwhile, the Rams were getting gashed by Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley.

That is one of the risks at comparing statistics among players. Facing RB Saquon Barkley in 2024 was a far cry more challenging that facing RB Cam Akers. And yet, those details get lost in the shuffle.

I believe Bobby Brown will do well for the Panthers. But more importantly, I expect that he will have the opportunity to contribute in a more well rounded fashion.

The Rams lost three players to free agency in the first day. And the Rams have added NT Poona Ford and are closing in on a deal to bring back Coleman Shelton. All in all, it was a very active first day of the 2025 NFL Free Agency market for the Rams. But it was just the first step. There is more shopping to be done. And the next players signed could be the difference between winning the Super Bowl and finishing under .500. Stay tuned.

As as always, thanks for reading.

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