Dec 17, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones (53) reacts after a defensive play against the Washington Commanders during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images The Los Angeles Rams have been known to be one of the more trade-heavy teams in the NFL, as they’re consistently looking to add and use assets in their arsenal.One of the more interesting trades they had in recent years, though, was sending linebacker Ernest Jones to the Tennessee Titans back in August of 2024 after a contractual dispute.
The team was losing a young starting linebacker, getting a future pick in return.At the time, Jones was entering the final year of his rookie contract and was seeking an extension, which the Rams ultimately didn’t choose to give. Jones went on to be traded to the Seattle Seahawks months later and had a fantastic year on the Super Bowl winning team in 2025, earning second-team All-Pro honors.Meanwhile, the Rams are finally set to get their return for the Jones deal, as the pick they acquired was a 2026 draft pick. Let’s revisit that deal and look at what both sides got.Original trade terms for the Ernest Jones trade between Rams and TitansLos Angeles Rams receive: 2026 fifth-round pick (No. 144)Tennessee Titans receive: LB Ernest Jones, 2026 sixth-round pick (No. 207)What did the Rams do with their pick from the Ernest Jones trade?The Rams, being the trade-heavy team that they are, interestingly traded the pick they acquired back to Tennessee.
Needing cornerback depth midseason, Los Angeles sent Tennessee’s fifth-round pick back in exchange for Roger McCreary and a sixth-round pick.What did the Titans do with their pick from the Ernest Jones trade?Can you guess the sixth-rounder that Tennessee gave up in return in the Roger McCreary deal? It was the Rams’ original sixth-round pick.So, both teams ended up with their respective picks again across two separate deals. How did Ernest Jones play in 2024 and 2025 for the Titans?Well, it was a rollercoaster for Jones, who was traded prior to the season in 2024 from the Rams to the Titans.
Then, midseason, he got moved again to the Seattle Seahawks, where he quickly found a home and began to flourish.After a solid end to the 2024 season, Jones was rewarded with a three-year, $33 million extension and had his best year yet in 2025. The 26-year-old linebacker posted 126 tackles, seven pass breakups, four tackles for loss, and a whopping five interceptions en route to an All-Pro campaign.It’s safe to say that, through all the trades, there was one team that clearly benefited from landing Jones.Who won the Ernest Jones trade between the Rams and Titans?When you look at the overall moves made, Los Angeles really didn’t benefit much from the trades for Jones and McCreary.
They didn’t move up in the draft and didn’t acquire much of a difference maker at cornerback last season.Of course, then you factor in that the Rams lost a starting-level linebacker, where they’ve been inconsistent over the years, and that same player ended up blossoming on a rival.Now, Jones wasn’t the player he is currently two years ago. There’s been some significant growth. But the Seahawks seem to have quite a solid contract for the linebacker after trading for and extending him.