Kobie Turner Reveals What Really Killed Rams' 2024 Season

"Over the course of this last year, what killed us was a lot of the big plays – in particular, a lot of big runs,” Turner explained. 

Barkley wasn't the sole running back who gashed the Rams, by Turner's admission. 

"If you really look at a lot of those games where we gave up a bunch of rushing yards, it wasn’t every single play they’re getting a bunch of yards. It was a couple of those plays where we fit it up wrong or a couple of those plays where maybe we got caught out," Turner said. 

Barkley scored two touchdowns of 70+ yards during their regular season meeting. L.A. ranked 22nd against rushing yardage. They also surrendered a 36-yard TD run from D'Andre Swift in the 24-18 loss to the Chicago Bears. 

The plan is simple moving forward for the 2025 Rams defense, with Turner now entering season three. 

"It’s about minimizing those big plays," he said. "I mean, that’s what the league is nowadays. Obviously, the points matter the most, the turnover margin matters the second-most but after that it’s the explosive plays.”

There'll be new optimism for this Rams run defense. Braden Fiske is expected to return from his late season right knee ailment. The team also drafted talented run stuffer Chris Paul Jr. out of Ole Miss. Then there's Jared Verse entering season two after establishing himself as the league's top defensive rookie.