It’s rare for the Los Angeles Rams to sign a player to an extension before his rookie contract expires. They did so with both Jared Goff and Todd Gurley, but neither of those deals worked out the way Los Angeles had hoped.
While Ernest Jones is eligible for an extension right now, it doesn’t sound like the Rams will sign him to a new deal before his rookie contract ends in 2025. Les Snead told reporters at the annual league meetings on Monday that Jones will most likely play out the final year of his rookie contract before potentially signing an extension with the Rams.
The reasoning is because the Rams want to prioritize adding to their roster rather than re-signing their own players internally. Having already spent a bunch of money on free agents such as Jonah Jackson, Kevin Dotson and Colby Parkinson, the Rams want to continue adding as many pieces as they can before the season begins.
Les Snead said Rams LB Ernest Jones IV will likely play the upcoming season on the final year of his rookie deal rather than sign a contract extension, based on prioritizing spending on roster additions rather than re-signing internal guys.
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) March 25, 2024
Jones carries a cap hit of only $3.3 million for the 2024 season, a small number for one of the defense’s most important players now that Aaron Donald is retired. If the Rams were to extend Jones, they wouldn’t have to increase his 2024 cap number, but it’s possible Jones’ camp would want a raise this year rather than waiting until after his rookie deal expires.
Waiting to do a deal with Jones could cost the Rams more in the long run if he continues playing at such a high level. They’re willing to take that chance, though, knowing it could allow them to bring in more talent before next season.