Rams announce return of this starting linebacker

The Rams are once again bringing back linebacker Troy Reeder

One of the biggest needs for the Los Angeles Rams during the 2025 offseason has been the linebacker position.While the team signed Nate Landman in free agency, they still lost Christian Rozeboom and Jake Hummel in free agency. According to the team, the Rams have announced that they are re-signing linebacker Troy Reeder.

After the Rams traded Ernest Jones to the Tennessee Titans, Reeder was inserted as the starting linebacker next to Rozeboom. Reeder started the first six games of the season before being placed on injured reserve and being replaced by Omar Speights. During the first six weeks of 2024, Reeder led Rams linebackers in total snaps and finished with 46 tackles.

While the Rams had a need at linebacker, bringing back Reeder remains confusing. After signing Landman, it was assumed that Reeder may not be back as both players have a similar skillset. Reeder and Landman are better on early downs filling run lanes than they are against the pass. Additionally, Landman would have had a general understanding of the defense after spending last year with the Atlanta Falcons and Raheem Morris.

After moving on from Reeder in 2022, he returned to the Rams practice squad in 2023. He was on the roster to start last season and the team is bringing him back once again. Reeder is an experienced player to have in a young position room. However, the team’s insistence on having Reeder on the roster who wouldn’t make it on the 31 teams is odd.

Heading into the draft, it was expected that the Rams may draft one, if not two linebackers to add some depth to the position alongside Speights. The signing of Reeder doesn’t necessarily take away that possibility. It should still be a question of if, not when. With that said, it may take away the need to double up at the position and allow them to either prioritize one linebacker in the third or fourth round or simply take one late.