Rams underachiever opts to reboot his career facing Liam Coen twice a year

The Los Angeles Rams continue the steady-as-she-goes trek through the choppy waters of the 2026 NFL free agency market. It's a constant stream of decisions that unfold moment by moment. Who stays and who goes? And as the team commits dollars and roster slots to newcomers, familiar faces must find new opportunities.

Even so, general manager Les Snead could add more players.

One such outbound veteran who must relocate to a new opportunity is outside linebacker Nick Hampton. After struggling to crack the Rams' defensive rotation since being drafted in 2023, he has reached an agreement to pursue his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers.

Hampton was one of three edge rushers added in 2023, along with outside linebackers Byron Young and Ochaun Mathis. Young was the cream of that crop, quickly securing a starting role and never looking back. Mathis has since competed for the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles before landing with the New York Jets for 2026.

Now Hamton will try his hand elsewhere.

Keir Thomas's return sealed Nick Hampton's fate

The LA Rams pass rush seemed to lose its potency as the season wore on in 2025. And that proved to be the team's downfall, as the secondary was not talented enough to cling to receivers if quarterbacks had enough time to throw.

The first message sent to the pass rush was extending talented outside linebacker Keir Thomas on a one-year prove-it deal.

But Thomas' extension sealed the fate of Hampton, who could not pry enough playing time and production in 2025 to warrant an extension. A former collegiate star of Appalachian State, Hampton struggled to translate that NCAA dominance to the NFL. He flashed at intervals but failed to find consistent production.

Worse yet, he was unable to make any impact on special teams.

General manager Les Snead is not extending players who fail to show up in multiple years. Either the NFL is too high a leap, or LA's system is not a fit. In either case, Nick Hampton is traveling to the East Coast to a Carolina Panthers team that seems to favor former Yellow and Blue players.

While LA could add a pass rusher (or more) to round out the 90-player training camp roster, Nick Hampton will be fighting for an active roster spot with the Panthers. And in the process, hopes to face Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Liam Coen twice a year.

As always, thanks for reading.