The Los Angeles Rams have signed defensive tackle Poona Ford to a three-year deal worth just under $30 million, with $17 million guaranteed. Ford, 29, is coming off a standout 2024 season with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he started all 17 games and played a key role in their defensive turnaround. His performance helped the Chargers finish first in the NFL in points allowed per game (17.7). Ford recorded 39 tackles, three sacks, eight tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits, and an interception during the regular season, along with three tackles in their playoff loss to the Houston Texans.
Ford, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Texas in 2018, spent his first five seasons with the Seattle Seahawks before playing one year with the Buffalo Bills in 2023 and then joining the Chargers in 2024. At 5-foot-11 and 310 pounds, Ford is known for his disruptive presence against the run, with a career-high eight tackles for loss in 2024. He also faced double teams on 62.1% of his pass-rush snaps, ranking 17th in the NFL, and had a pass rush win rate of 9.2%, ranking 21st among interior linemen.
This signing strengthens the Rams’ defensive line, pairing Ford with rising stars like Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske, as well as edge rushers Jared Verse and Byron Young. The move addresses a key need for the Rams, who struggled to defend the run in 2024, allowing 100-plus rushing yards in all but four games. Ford’s addition signals a focus on improving run defense, especially with pending free agents like Bobby Brown III and Neville Gallimore. It also suggests the Rams may not feel current depth players like Tyler Davis are ready for a larger role in their 3-4 defensive scheme.
Ford’s familiarity with SoFi Stadium, where he played for the Chargers last season, means he won’t need to adjust to a new home venue, though he’ll now be in the Rams’ locker room. Posts found on X show mixed reactions to the signing. Some fans and analysts praise the Rams for adding a proven run-stopper, with comments highlighting Ford’s impact on the Chargers’ defense and his fit with the team’s young defensive line. Others question the contract’s value, noting that Ford’s annual average of $9.9 million is a significant jump from his previous deals, which never exceeded $6.2 million annually, and argue that while he’s a solid player, he may not be elite based on his 2024 stats.
The signing is part of the Rams’ broader offseason strategy, which also includes adding wide receiver Davante Adams and re-signing center Coleman Shelton for offensive line depth. With Ford now in the fold, the Rams continue to address key needs as they prepare for the 2025 season, aiming to build on their 10-7 record and wild card playoff appearance in 2024.
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