LB Ernest Jones IV is steady as Rams leader 

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Linebacker Ernest Jones IV is that guy. Jones is in his third year as a pro. And yet already, it is Jones who runs the defense for the Los Angeles Rams. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald is still the most disruptive force in football. 

But it is Jones who unlocks the key to what and how the defense of the Rams functions. 

“It’s his defense,” Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris said before a team practice late during the regular season. “He controls the walkthrough. I’m just there and when he wants me to move away, he’ll kindly let me know. That is the biggest thing I see from Ernest when he wants to take over. What he brings to our game day atmosphere when he’s feeling right is different than a lot of guys I have been around.” 

In three short years, Jones has proven to Morris, the Rams, and the rest of the NFL that he is a baller. In just 15 games this year, Jones recorded a monstrous 145 tackles (74 solo) and added 4.5 sacks in the regular season. That follows his sophomore season in in which he was on the spot to make 114 tackles.    

Looking at Jones and the way he plays is almost like looking in the mirror and seeing Bobby Wagner. The former Rams linebacker left his imprint on Jones. 

Morris credits Wagner for having some sway on Jones in his only season with the Rams (2022). But he also gave Jones praise for taking his game to the next level. 

“Bobby Wagner gets a lot of credit for helping him and well deserved just because of the man Bobby was,” Morris said. “But the player and the man Ernest is was just dying to come out. This year the training wheels are off and it is his team.”       

The Wagner effect that the Seattle Seahawks star had on Jones is not lost on Rams head coach Sean McVay.   

“I know Bobby had a tremendous influence just watching his everyday approach and his preparation, but Ernest is extremely conscientious,” McVay said. “I think one of his things is he’s got a great concept trigger. He really has a good understanding of what to expect and anticipate. And really, he and (Linebackers Coach) Chris Shula have such a cool relationship in terms of their weekly rhythm. It’s why he’s got the dot.” 

“He’s really starting to understand and own the intent of, alright, why is (defensive coordinator) Raheem (Morris) or the defensive coaches calling certain things? What are we really trying to get out of it? And it’s all encompassing to the run game, to the pass game, to protections. And he’s been outstanding, but I thought it was a great example for him to be able to have Bobby to see what that really looks like,” McVay added. 

One trait Wagner and Jones share is consistency. Wagner has been a model of consistency throughout his NFL career. Jones said he tries to bring that same attribute when he plays. 

“Just trying to be consistent for the guys, just knowing what I can do,” Jones said after a practice earlier in the season. “Just consistency has been the thing for me. Just working on that. [I’m] working on just showing up every day for these guys on Sunday, and putting my best foot forward so I can just go play and help the team get wins.”      

Jones does his best to play by the consistency decree. Of the 15 games that he played in during the 2023 season, Jones hit the double-digit mark in tackles eight times. He nearly hit the double-digit mark in games against Seattle and the Cincinnati Bengals, finishing those games with nine tackles.  

“I’m truly going into a game and just feeling confident in myself knowing that nobody can block me, so just run around and make plays,” Jones remarked. 

Another impressive stat Jones recorded during the season was going up and beyond the call of duty on a couple of occasions. He recorded a season-high 15 tackles twice. The first time Jones made 15 tackles in a game was way back in October during a 23-14 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Jones also hit the 15-tackle mark in the Rams’ 36-19 win against the Cleveland Browns in December. Jones attributes his steady play to opportunity.  

“I’m finally now kind of now getting the opportunity to be myself, to go be the player I know I can be,” Jones said. “I still haven’t played to that standard myself yet. But it’s a constant progress, just continuing to work on it. Just knowing what the guys need from me, knowing what the team needs from me. So just trying to do that every week.”   

What helps Jones bring that synergy every week on the football field is confidence, something he picked up from Wagner. 

“Confidence is key. He’s always had confidence in himself,” Jones said. “Of course, when you’ve been doing it at a long time at a high level that confidence is just natural. For me, that’s been the biggest thing. Just the confidence knowing that you can go out there and play. You can, you know, hang around and be one of the best. That confidence has been key for me.”