NFL Rumors: Ernest Jones IV Traded to Titans from Rams After Contract Buzz

Linebacker Ernest Jones IV is on the move after all.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Tuesday the Los Angeles Rams traded Jones to the Tennessee Titans, while NFL Network's Ian Rapoport provided the full details:

This comes after ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported the Rams granted Jones permission to seek a trade on Sunday, although the linebacker said on social media he did not request a trade.

He is entering the final year of his contract and is set to make $3.1 million in base salary during the upcoming season. The Rams were facing the legitimate possibility of watching him leave to join another team next offseason and at least got something back in return with this move.

Fowler noted the two sides made "no progress" on discussions regarding a contract extension, so this was the next logical step.

In March, Rams general manager Les Snead said there were no plans to sign Jones to an extension as he played through the last year of his rookie deal, per ESPN's Sarah Barshop.

"We prioritized spending our resources on additions rather than re-signing from within," Snead said.

That leaves the linebacker on the Titans after quite the start to his career. He helped the Rams win a Super Bowl as a rookie after they selected him with a third-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft and then followed up with back-to-back seasons of more than 100 tackles.

He posted 145 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and six passes defended in 15 games last season, which were all career-high numbers. He was also the Rams' defensive play-caller and one of the leaders of the team.

Jones is just 24 years old and figures to remain a productive linebacker for the foreseeable future after such an impressive showing.

The Titans need to make defensive strides if they are going to challenge for a playoff spot after going 6-11 last year, and he can help them do just that following this move.