Has Rams Linebacker Ernest Jones Earned Contract Extension?

The Los Angeles Rams don't give out second contracts to defensive draft picks that much, but linebacker Ernest Jones could break that trend.

Linebacker Ernest Jones had a fantastic year for the Los Angeles Rams this past season, and as a result, he may have earned himself another deal.

The team has not signed a defensive draft pick to a second contract since Aaron Donald signed a contract extension prior to the 2018 season. But with how big of a part of the defense Jones had this past season, the Rams might have to break that streak.

And now, according to a report from the Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue, they could be looking into doing just that. 

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"Inside linebacker Ernest Jones is a candidate for an early extension and preliminary talks have begun, multiple sources briefed on those conversations said, but there isn’t a rush here from either side," Rodrigue wrote. "The Rams usually do those types of deals after OTAs, or into training camp."

Jones was selected with the 103rd overall pick in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, yet another steal of a pick from the Rams in recent memory. The team has built the new core of their defense without a first-round pick, and it could be one of the best in the future.

He tallied a franchise record 145 total tackles and was one of the many bright spots on a very young Rams defense that defied expectations. 

If the team were to sign Jones to an extension, it could mark the beginning of a new era for the Rams defense.

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The team's defense could improve on their ability to prevent teams from getting passing yards. 

But if they are able to do that while keeping up their tackling abilities, they could help the Rams to make the playoffs and get back to contending this upcoming season.