The Los Angeles Rams faced a notable shift in their linebacker corps as Christian Rozeboom, a key contributor in the 2024 season, signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers. Rozeboom, who had a career-high 135 tackles in 2024 while starting 11 games for the Rams, was a free agent and opted to take his talents to Carolina. This move leaves the Rams with questions at the linebacker position as they look to maintain defensive stability heading into the 2025 season. With fellow linebacker Troy Reeder also a free agent and unlikely to be re-signed, the Rams must now decide how to address the gaps in their roster. Here, we break down the current state of the linebacker room and explore potential plans moving forward.
The Impact of Rozeboom’s Departure
Christian Rozeboom’s rise in 2024 was a bright spot for the Rams’ defense. After spending his early years as a rotational player and special teams contributor, he stepped into a starting role and proved his worth with consistent tackling and improved play recognition. His 135 tackles ranked him among the team leaders. After a slow start in 2024, his presence in the middle of the defense provided much-needed stability. However, with Rozeboom now in Carolina, the Rams lose a reliable tackler and a player who had begun to establish himself as a leader on the field.
The departure also comes at a time when the linebacker position is already thin. Troy Reeder, another experienced linebacker, is also a free agent, and his future with the team remains uncertain. Reeder has been a rotational player and special teams contributor for the Rams, but his role could expand if the team chooses to re-sign him. As it stands, the Rams are left with Omar Speights and Jacob Hummel as the only middle linebackers currently under contract. Speights, a 2024 undrafted free agent, showed promise in limited action, while Hummel has primarily contributed on special teams. Omar Speights is the only bright spot, raising concerns about depth and starting-caliber talent.
Current Linebacker Depth Chart
With Rozeboom gone and Reeder’s status uncertain, the Rams’ linebacker depth chart is as follows:
- Omar Speights (ILB): A young, rising player with potential but limited NFL experience.
- Jacob Hummel (ILB): A special teams contributor with minimal defensive snaps.
- Troy Reeder (ILB, Free Agent): A potential re-signing candidate, but his role has been rotational in recent years.
This thin depth chart underscores the need for reinforcements, especially at the middle linebacker position, where the Rams rely on players to anchor the defense against the run and cover short-to-intermediate passing zones.
Potential Plans for the Rams
The Rams have several options to address their linebacker needs, ranging from re-signing familiar faces to exploring external free agents and the NFL Draft. Here are the most likely paths forward:
1. Re-Sign Troy Reeder
Reeder, a free agent, is a logical candidate for the Rams to bring back. While he hasn’t been a full-time starter, he has experience in the Rams’ defensive system and can provide depth and special teams value. Re-signing Reeder would offer continuity and allow the Rams to focus on adding a more impactful starter through other means. However, relying on Reeder as a starter could be risky given his inconsistent production on defense.
2. Explore External Free Agents
After the wave of signings, the free agent market for linebackers is weak. Perhaps the Rams could sign Devin White, but there is a reason why the Bucs and Texans have moved on from him. White would probably seek a contract based on his veteran status, not something I believe the Rams would consider.
3. Target the NFL Draft
The 2025 NFL Draft presents another opportunity for the Rams to address their linebacker needs. While the team has historically been aggressive in trading draft picks, recent years have seen a renewed focus on building through the draft. Linebackers like Jihaad Campbell (Alabama) or Demetrius Knight Jr. (South Carolina) could be intriguing prospects for the Rams at pick #26 or later, (for a developmental player). Both players offer sideline-to-sideline range and the versatility to play in both run and pass defenses. Alternatively, the Rams could target a Day 2 or Day 3 prospect to develop behind a veteran addition.
4. Develop Internal Options
While Speights and Hummel are currently unproven, the Rams could invest in their development during the offseason. Speights, in particular, showed flashes of potential in the second half of the 2024 season. Hummel is strictly a special teams player, and not the answer the Rams need to have a dominant defense.
Fan Reactions and Speculation
Fan reactions on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have been mixed. Some fans expressed surprise at Rozeboom’s move to Carolina, with posts like, “Rozeboom was our best tackler last year, can’t believe we let him walk.” Others are more optimistic, with one user tweeting, “Time to draft a stud linebacker. Speights isn’t ready to start.” There’s also concern about relying on Reeder, with another fan noting, “Reeder’s fine for depth, but we need a real starter next to him.” These sentiments reflect the uncertainty surrounding the position and the desire for the Rams to make a splash move.
Defensive Scheme Considerations
The Rams’ defensive scheme, under coordinator Chris Shula, relies on linebackers to be versatile and physical. The team often deploys a 3-4 base defense, requiring inside linebackers to handle run defense, blitzing, and coverage responsibilities. Rozeboom’s departure leaves a gap in tackling production, and any replacement will need to fit Shula’s system. A player with strong instincts and the ability to shed blocks will be critical, especially against NFC West opponents like the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks, who rely heavily on the run game.
Final Thoughts
Christian Rozeboom’s signing with the Carolina Panthers makes the linebacker group an area that needs urgent attention. With Troy Reeder’s future uncertain and only Omar Speights and Jacob Hummel under contract, the Rams face a critical offseason at the position. Re-signing Reeder(unlikely), exploring free agency, and targeting the NFL Draft are all viable options. The draft seems to be the most likely path to build up this group. As the offseason progresses, all eyes will be on Les Snead and Sean McVay to rebuild the linebacker room and keep the Rams competitive in the NFC.
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