The Los Angeles Rams bolstered their defensive line with the signing of former Los Angeles Chargers standout Poona Ford to a three-year contract.
“It kind of happened really quick. They were really aggressive in the process and I just felt like this was where I needed to be,” Ford said of joining the Rams.
The 29-year-old has come a long way since going undrafted out of Texas in 2018. He had 38 total tackles, eight tackles for loss and three sacks as one of the best run stuffers in the NFL last season.
Ford was able to turn that success into his first long-term contract. “It’s just a blessing to be able to secure something like this. Especially being undrafted, it just means a lot,” he said.
Ford will now be part of a talented Rams’ defensive line that includes the 2024 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse, Byron Young, Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske.
“They’re young and they’re hungry. I’m just looking forward to getting to know everybody and building chemistry on and off the field,” Ford said of his teammates.
Ford added that he will bring “physicality” to the Rams’ defensive line, with a focus on “stopping the run and getting after the quarterback.”
After a career year with the Chargers, Ford liked the idea of staying in L.A. and factored that into his free agency decision. “More than I thought it would, honestly,” he answered when asked if he wanted to remain in Southern California.
“I like it out here, out west. Being from South Carolina, there’s just something about [being] out west that makes me want to stay.”
Rams designating Cooper Kupp as post-June 1 cut
After failing to find a trade partner for Cooper Kupp, the Rams decided to release the franchise icon and give him a chance to choose his next team.
The team opted to designate Kupp’s release as a post-June 1 cut, which will free up $15 million in cap space after that point. That will give L.A. some wiggle room to continue signing free agents and their draft picks.
Kupp has since joined his hometown Seattle Seahawks on a three-year, $45 million contract in free agency. He chose them over other teams and will now be part of a new-look Seahawks squad that recently signed Sam Darnold to be their starting quarterback.
Unfortunately for the Rams, they will now have to face Kupp twice a season with him staying in the NFC West.
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