NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans have acquired Ernest Jones IV in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams, who were unable to reach a contract extension this offseason with the star linebacker, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Rams received a 2026 fifth-round draft pick for a 2026 sixth-round pick and Jones, who was granted permission to seek 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 and pushed Jack Gibbens for a starting spot next to free agent acquisition Kenneth Murray Jr.
The Titans linebacker group was hit hard by injury 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 deal and will make $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 selection in 2021, Jones has 320 tackles, 5.5 sacks and three interceptions in his career.
The trade comes after Rams general manager Les Snead said at the league meetings in March that Los Angeles would not sign Jones to a contract extension before the season.
By trading Jones, the Rams will need to find a new defensive playcaller. When asked on Monday about who would fill that role if they did trade Jones, Rams coach Sean McVay said he wouldn’t be able to answer until the situation was settled.
ESPN’s Sarah Barshop contributed to this report.