One of the biggest talking points of the Los Angeles Rams defense through four weeks of the 2024 season has been the linebacker position. Since trading Ernest Jones before the season, the Rams have been relying on Troy Reeder and Christian Rozeboom.
It’s becoming more evident by the week that Reeder and Rozeboom are not the answer at linebacker. However, it’s also worth noting that the Rams do have limited options at the position. While some would like to see Omar Speights and Jake Hummel who both played well in the preseason, that was only the preseason. What the Rams ask their players to do in the preseason is different than what is asked of them during the regular season. Rams head coach Sean McVay touched on this on Wednesday. Said McVay,
“Those guys do get reps in these settings. The preseason is somewhat similar, but very different than the regular season in terms of the things that we’re asking [and] the types of schemes that are being seen by the opposing offenses. You continue to give those guys opportunities throughout the course of these practices. If it got to a point where we felt like that was the best option for us, then those guys would be out there.”
At some point the Rams may need to at least try something different on the defensive side of the ball. It’s becoming clear that Rozeboom and Reeder are not the answer. With that being said, the coaches are seeing the players every day during practice. There isn’t any guarantee that Speights and Hummel provide more on gamedays.
It’s easy to say, “how could they possibly be worse?” However, they are behind Rozeboom and Reeder for a reason. At the end of the day, Speights was an undrafted free agent. That’s not to say that he can’t be good, but it’s also a lot to expect an undrafted free agent to take on that large of a role in the defense. Hummel is in year three and there may be more of an argument from him. Still, Hummel has struggled against the run which limits his impact on early downs.
There is a serious argument to be made that the Rams should try something different at linebacker. Again, what they are currently rolling out hasn’t been working. At some point, they almost have to at least try something different. However, with Reeder wearing the green dot and Rozeboom at least being a sound tackler, those changes may not happen soon. Even if they do make a change, it likely wouldn’t come until after the bye week.
We’ll have to see if the Rams and defensive coordinator Chris Shula make any adjustments moving forward. Based on what McVay said on Wednesday, it may not be something that’s imminent.
