Sources – Rams trade LB Ernest Jones IV to Titans

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

The Rams received a 2026 fifth-round draft pick for a 2026 sixth-round draft pick and Jones, who was granted permission to request 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, pushing Jack Gibbens for a starting spot alongside free agent acquisition Kenneth Murray Jr.

The Titans’ linebacker group was hit hard by injuries 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 contract and will earn $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 pick in 2021, Jones has 320 tackles, 5.5 sacks and three interceptions for his career.

The deal comes after Rams manager Les Snead said during the league meeting in March that Los Angeles would not offer Jones a contract extension before the start of the season.

Trading Jones would require the Rams to find a new defensive playcaller. When asked Monday who would fill that role if they traded Jones, Rams coach Sean McVay said he couldn’t answer until the situation was resolved.

ESPN’s Sarah Barshop contributed to this report.