The Los Angeles Rams announced the re-signing of linebacker Troy Reeder to a one-year contract, marking yet another chapter in his on-again, off-again tenure with the team. For a franchise with a passionate fanbase accustomed to Super Bowl aspirations and roster moves that signal ambition, the decision to bring back Reeder—a player who has been a lightning rod for criticism—sparked an immediate and visceral reaction across Rams Nation. From social media platforms like X to the decade-old Rams Forum, fans expressed overwhelming disappointment, frustration, and even bewilderment at the move, seeing it as a step backward for a team with lingering defensive questions.
A Familiar Face Returns—Again
Troy Reeder, now 30, is no stranger to the Rams faithful. Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Delaware in 2019, he carved out a role over his initial three-year stint, contributing to the team’s Super Bowl LVI victory in 2021 with notable hustle and special teams play. His career stats with the Rams—264 tackles, five sacks, and two interceptions across 83 games—paint a picture of a serviceable depth player. Yet, his return in 2023 after a brief departure to the Chargers and Vikings, followed by this latest signing, has reignited a long-simmering debate among fans about his fit on a roster aiming for postseason glory.
The announcement came via the team’s official channels, a routine move for a front office led by General Manager Les Snead and Head Coach Sean McVay, known for their loyalty to familiar names. But for many fans, Reeder’s re-signing felt less like a strategic depth addition and more like a stubborn refusal to address a glaring weakness at linebacker—a position that struggled mightily in 2024 after the trade of Ernest Jones and Reeder’s own injury-plagued season.
The Fan Backlash: A Chorus of Discontent
Within hours of the April 10 announcement, reactions flooded X and The Rams Forum, the original Los Angeles Rams discussion hub online for over a decade. The sentiment was nearly unanimous: disappointment tinged with exasperation. One X user, @clipsrams818, captured the mood succinctly at 12:50 PM PDT: “Death, taxes, and the Rams signing f***ing Troy Reeder again. 🤦♂️” The post resonated with fans who see Reeder’s recurring presence as an inevitable, unwelcome fixture.
The mention of Jihaad Campbell, a promising linebacker prospect from Alabama, reflects a broader fan desire for fresh talent over what they perceive as a retread. Reeder’s 2024 season—46 tackles in six games before a hamstring injury landed him on injured reserve—did little to sway critics who’ve long pointed to his struggles in coverage and inconsistent tackling as liabilities.
McVay and Snead are basically giving all the Jihaad Campbell believers a big ole 🖕…idk why they don’t give a fuck about that position. If they start Reeder over Speights and Landman after what they saw last year then I’m out. Watching Troy Reeder is fucking torture. #RamsHouse
— LA Sports Fanatic (@CESSmasterJ) April 10, 2025
On The Rams Forum, threads erupted with similar dismay. A longtime member posted, “Troy Reeder back? Are we serious? This is a Super Bowl team? I’ve been here since the forum started, and I’ve never been this baffled.” Another chimed in, “He’s a special teams guy at best—starting him last year was a disaster. Why not draft someone or sign a vet who can actually cover?” The forum, a digital watering hole for Ram’s diehards, buzzed with nostalgia for past defensive stalwarts and a yearning for upgrades, not recycled depth.
Why the Disappointment Runs Deep
The roots of this reaction lie in Reeder’s polarizing track record and the Rams’ linebacker woes. Fans fondly remember his early years—his 91-tackle breakout in 2021 and his hustle during the Super Bowl run—but his limitations became glaring as his role expanded. Known for solid run defense when positioned correctly, Reeder has been a frequent target in pass coverage, with opponents exploiting his lack of speed and agility. Social media clips from 2024 games circulate among fans, showing missed tackles and receivers slipping past him for first downs—moments that fuel the narrative of a player out of his depth as a starter.
The 2024 season amplified these concerns. After trading Ernest Jones, a fan favorite and defensive anchor, the Rams leaned on Reeder and Christian Rozeboom, a duo that struggled to fill the void. Reeder’s injury in Week 7 against the Raiders only deepened the linebacker crisis, leaving fans to wonder why the team didn’t pursue more robust solutions in free agency or the draft. His re-signing, then, feels to many like a refusal to learn from last year’s lessons—a sentiment echoed in a Rams Forum post: “We saw what happens when he’s a starter. Why double down?”
There’s also a sense of missed opportunity. With the 2025 NFL Draft approaching and names like Campbell or other athletic prospects in play, fans had hoped for a bold move to bolster a defense that ranked 17th in points allowed in 2024 (22.7 per game). Instead, Reeder’s return signals a conservative approach, leaning on a known quantity rather than gambling on the upside—a strategy that clashes with the high-octane, all-in ethos fans associate with the McVay-Snead era.
A Minority Defends the Move
Not every voice joined the chorus of discontent. A small contingent of fans and analysts pointed to Reeder’s value as a depth piece and special teams contributor. One X user noted, “Reeder’s not a star, but he knows the system and makes an effort. Depth matters in a long season.” On The Rams Forum, a member argued, “He’s cheap, reliable, and won’t start unless injuries hit. People act like he’s the centerpiece—he’s not.” Indeed, his 2024 contract (a one-year, $1.13 million deal) suggests a rotational role behind expected starters Omar Speights and Nate Landman or a potential draft pick, not a marquee signing.
Yet, even these defenses often come with caveats. “I get the logic,” another forum poster conceded, “but his ceiling is so low. We need playmakers, not just bodies.” For most, the positives—familiarity, work ethic—don’t outweigh the memories of Reeder being exposed in critical moments, like the 2021 playoffs or last season’s defensive lapses.
The Bigger Picture: Trust in Leadership Wavers
The Reeder signing taps into a broader unease among Rams fans about the team’s direction post-2024. After a rocky start, the defense rallied late in the year, but the linebacker position remained a weak link. McVay and Snead, once heralded as geniuses for their Super Bowl triumph, now face scrutiny for what some call a “comfort zone” approach—relying on players like Reeder instead of chasing transformative talent. “In McVay and Snead we trust” has been a mantra on The Rams Forum, but threads questioning their linebacker strategy hint at cracks in that faith.
For fans, this isn’t just about one player—it’s about ambition. The Rams have a history of bold moves, from trading for Jalen Ramsey to signing Aaron Donald to massive extensions. Reeder’s re-signing, by contrast, feels mundane, a safe bet that doesn’t match the swagger of a franchise with “Rams House” pride. As one X post put it, “We’re supposed to be contenders, not a Troy Reeder retirement home.”
Looking Ahead: A Call for Change
As the dust settles on the announcement, the disappointment shows no signs of fading. Fans are already pivoting to the draft, pleading for a linebacker infusion to render Reeder a footnote rather than a fixture. On The Rams Forum, a pinned thread titled “Draft Wishlist” lists prospects like Campbell, LSU’s Harold Perkins, and others, with posters urging, “Make Reeder irrelevant, please.” On X, hashtags like #RamsDraftNeeds trend alongside memes of Reeder whiffing tackles, a digital plea for something—anything—better.
For now, Troy Reeder remains a Ram, his signing a spark that lit a firestorm of fan reaction. Whether this move proves a minor blip or a symbol of stagnation depends on what follows. But one thing is clear: Los Angeles Rams fans, from the virtual seats of The Rams Forum to the X echo chamber, aren’t hiding their dismay. They want a defense that inspires, not one that settles—and for them, Reeder’s return is a bitter reminder that sometimes, familiarity breeds contempt.
For more news and discussion on the Los Angeles Rams, please visit The Rams Forum – On Twitter (X) @RamsFansForum
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