Sources – Rams trade LB Ernest Jones IV to Titans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Titans have acquired Ernest Jones IV in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams, who were unable to reach a contract extension this offseason with the star linebacker, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Rams received a 2026 fifth-round draft pick for a 2026 sixth-round pick and Jones, who was granted permission to seek a trade earlier this week.

Jones fills a void at inside linebacker for the Titans, who lost third-year linebacker Chance Campbell for the season Sunday to a torn ACL. Campbell had a good camp and pushed Jack Gibbens for a starting spot next to free agent acquisition Kenneth Murray Jr.

The Titans linebacker group was hit hard by injury during training camp. Fourth-round pick Cedric Gray missed two weeks of camp with a nerve-related shoulder injury, and veterans Otis Reese IV and Luke Gifford are both in the concussion protocol.

Jones, 24, is entering the final season of his rookie deal and will make $3.116 million in 2024.

Jones led the Rams with 145 tackles and also had 4.5 sacks — both career highs — last season, his third with Los Angeles. A third-round draft selection in 2021, Jones has 320 tackles, 5.5 sacks and three interceptions in his career.

Although the trade still hadn’t been announced late Tuesday, Rams coach Sean McVay acknowledged during a teleconference that Jones is on his way out of Los Angeles.

“Football decision, what we felt was best for the football team,” McVay said. “Amazing guy. He was great for us for a few years, but we felt that this was best for our football team.”

McVay said the Rams don’t plan to add a veteran inside linebacker, instead going into the season with the collection of unsung veterans and rookies already behind Jones on the depth chart.

By trading Jones, the Rams will need to find a new defensive playcaller. When asked Monday about who would fill that role if they did trade Jones, McVay said he wouldn’t be able to answer until the situation was settled.

Information from ESPN staff writer Sarah Barshop and The Associated Press was used in this report.