The Los Angeles Rams entered the 2025 offseason with one mission: build a roster that can go deeper into the playoffs. While the core of the team remained largely intact, the front office zeroed in on a glaring deficiency from last season—the interior defensive line. With Aaron Donald retired and the run defense struggling in his absence, general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay made a calculated move to address the issue: signing veteran defensive tackle Poona Ford.
Poona Ford May Be the Los Angeles Rams’ Most Important Offseason Addition
Ford, who agreed to a three-year, $27.6 million deal with Los Angeles, has quietly built a reputation as one of the NFL’s most consistent and undervalued defensive linemen. ESPN’s Mina Kimes recently underscored that point on The Mina Kimes Show, calling Ford “one of the most underrated players of his generation.” She went further, labeling him “the missing piece” to the Rams’ defense, particularly in fixing their early-down run defense.
“I think that having Poona Ford on and being better against the run on early downs will solve a lot of the problems,” Kimes explained. “He’s a fantastic fit for the Rams’ scheme.”
The numbers back it up. In his 2024 season with the Chargers, Ford notched 39 combined tackles (24 solo), three sacks, eight tackles for loss, and even recorded an interception. More than stats, though, it’s Ford’s impact in the trenches—clogging lanes, absorbing double teams, and anchoring the middle—that makes him an ideal addition to a Rams defense that already boasts young talents like Kobie Turner and Jared Verse.
Ford’s arrival also comes at a crucial moment. With Matthew Stafford nearing the twilight of his career, and the window to compete for another Super Bowl still cracked open, they needed an immediate contributor—someone capable of making an impact from day one. Ford, entering his age-29 season, offers just that.
While his former Chargers teammate Teair Tart drew headlines for his own impressive 2024 campaign and earned a new deal from the Bolts, Ford’s departure could prove to be a quiet steal. The Chargers’ defense dramatically shifted when Tart was off the field—allowing over 5 yards per rush, compared to just under 4 when he played. Those kinds of efficiency metrics are exactly what the Rams hope to emulate with Ford now in the fold.
After stints in Seattle, Buffalo, and Los Angeles (Chargers), Ford now finds himself anchoring a defense in search of identity post-Aaron Donald. If he lives up to the billing, this signing might not just be about shoring up a weakness—it could be the move that propels the Rams back into serious title contention.
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