Los Angeles Rams trading LB Ernest Jones to Tennessee Titans

The Los Angeles Rams are trading standout linebacker Ernest Jones to the Tennessee Titans, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

The Rams are receiving a 2026 fifth round pick in exchange for Jones and a 2026 sixth rounder.

Jones, 24, broke out in a big way this past season, tallying 145 tackles (74 solo), 4.5 sacks and six passes defended. The Rams gave him and his agents permission to seek a trade after the two sides were unsuccessful in coming to terms on an extension as Jones enters the final year of his contract. Jones has one year and $3.1 million remaining on his rookie contract.

Head coach Sean McVay confirmed Monday that there had been dialogue with other teams, though Jones did not formally request a trade himself.

“We never said that he requested a trade. We’ve had communication with his representation and I’m going to leave that in house for now,” McVay said. “We’re just working through some different things and we’re just going to take it a day at a time. He’s a pro in every sense of the word. Sometimes things get out there, but in his defense, he’s right, he never requested a trade. We had communication with his representation, there’s been some dialogue with teams, and that’s where it’s at.”

Titans continue adding to defense, acquire Ernest Jones from Rams

The Rams selected Jones in the third round (103rd overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft out of South Carolina. He started seven games his rookie season before serving as the full-time starter in 2022 and ’23. Jones totaled 320 tackles (176 solo), 5.5 sacks and three interceptions in his three-year career with the Rams. He drew praise from both the front office and coaching staff last season, with general manager Les Snead and then defensive coordinator Raheem Morris referring to Jones as the leader of the defense.

Jones wanted to stay in Los Angeles, but he’ll now head east to Nashville.

“I know that the work that I’ve put in these past three years, I know I’m worthy of something regardless what the worth may be,” Jones said, via The Orange County Register. “… I love to be in L.A. I really want to be here. This is truly where I want to keep my family at, grow my family here. But I also know that there’s a business side of it too that I can’t truly control. We’ll see.”

Jones is the latest big addition to a Titans defense full of promise. Since the offseason began, the Titans have added cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, safety Quandre Diggs, safety Jamal Adams, linebacker Kenneth Murray, defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day and defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat.

First-year defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson now has a leader in the middle of his defense in Jones.