The Rams’ defense will undergo significant changes this season, notably with the retirement of defensive tackle Aaron Donald. As the team gears up for another playoff push in 2024, they face the challenge of filling the void left by one of the league’s most dominant players. Linebacker Ernest Jones sees this transition as an opportunity for personal growth and leadership.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Jones expressed his eagerness to step into a larger leadership role. He believes that with Donald’s departure, other players will also find themselves in similar positions as they adapt to the changes ahead. “From the moment I got here, this was a goal of mine, to be the leader of this defense,” Jones stated. “With [Donald] being gone, now there’s more eyes on me, which I can surely handle. . . . Without A.D., we get to go out there, and now it’s time for those guys to make a name for themselves.”
Jones, who became a starter during the Rams’ Super Bowl-winning season as a rookie, is coming off a strong third year. As he looks ahead, the prospect of earning a second contract serves as additional motivation for him to demonstrate that the Rams’ defense can maintain its performance level without Donald at the forefront.