Ravens latest signing pulls one more FA ILB out of Rams reach

When it came to the LA Rams defense, fans hoped that the team would take the offseason to restock the inside linebacker position. After all, the team was projected to lose veterans Troy Reeder, Christian Rozeboom, and Jake Hummel this offseason. And for his performance in the latter half of the season, many fans were okay if the team gave undrafted ILB Omar Speights another shot at starting in 2024.

Hopefully, the Rams front office agreed. You see, there's not turning back now.

The Carolina Panthers signed NT Bobby Brown III. They followed up by signing starting inside linebacker Christian Rozeboom to join him. Following that signing, the Baltimore Ravens have acted, sneaking off with special teams contributor and inside linebacker Jake Hummel on a one-year deal. Hummel, as a Restricted Free Agent (RFA) was eligible for a Qualifying Tender Offer to give the Rams the right to match any offer sheet. Unfortunately, the Rams did not do so.

So the Ravens just added a superb special teamer and a rising defensive star.

Hummel played 74 defensive snaps and 338 special team snaps in 2024. He put up 17 tackles, while allowing six of seven passes to find their mark. Much of his success was at perfecting covering on special teams, both on kickoffs and punts.

I suspect that the Ravens interest in Hummel is primarily focused on his coverage skills. Still, his ability to step in as a backup linebacker should not be ignored. The Ravens typically boast a solid rushing offense and a stingy defense. And the optics on Hummel whenever he stepped onto a football field put a player who was not only playing better, but with more confidence, in sight.

Perhaps the Ravens saw the same thing, making him ideally suited for their roster with a low-risk one-year deal. For the Rams, their need at inside linebacker grows. The team had to expect to shop for at least one inside linebacker to add to the roster. But with the team already losing any chance to reunite with either Christian Rozeboom or Jake Hummel, perhaps multiple additions are coming.

As always, thanks for reading.

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