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UCLA alum Quentin Lake will be entering his last season on his rookie deal surrounded by one of the NFL's best defensive units. His defensive coordinator, Chris Shula, is expected to be one of the top candidates for head coaching jobs during the 2026 cycle.
Atlanta Falcons head coach and former Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris has supported Shula and expects him to be a head coach soon, and he has the goods to thrive in the role.
One NFL executive told Los Angeles Rams On Sports Illustrated exclusively, "Chris is a rising star. He might be one or two coaching cycles away from landing a head coaching gig, but being with Sean (McVay) will only continue to make his stock rise. It's not a matter of if he gets a head coaching job, it's simply a question of when."
Lake and Shula communicate directly through Lake's in-helmet communication system. Lake's coordination dialed up exotic blitzes, swarming tacklers, and tight coverages.
The Rams have also added or brought back Ahkello Witherspoon, Nate Landman and Poona Ford.
On Friday, the Rams made another addition. They have agreed to terms with veteran linebacker Troy Reeder.
We have agreed to terms with LB Troy Reeder on a 1-year deal! pic.twitter.com/sSvErfS6up
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) April 10, 2025
Reeder, a six-year NFL veteran, began the 2024 season as the team's starter and defensive signal caller before suffering what would end up being a season-ending injury.
Reeder had played in 72 games for the team, making 37 starts.
Reeder understands the defense, he knows his role within the organization, and he's a locker room player. He's the perfect type of player for a team looking to round out their roster.
This will be Reeder's third straight season with the team and sixth overall. He was an undrafted free agent out of Delaware, played for the Rams from 2019-2021 before rejoining his old defensive coordinator with the Chargers for the 2022 season.
The Rams desperately needed linebacker depth, but do not think that his signature automatically takes Carson Schwesinger out of the running for being drafted by the team. The Rams also love undrafted free-agent linebackers for some reason, so Kain Medrano could be staying home if he falls to the undrafted market.
Exciting times for the former Bruin, considering he's on the verge of a major payday.
More must-reads:
- Jerry Jones is getting exactly what he wants with Micah Parsons drama
- Report reveals if Commanders intend to trade WR Terry McLaurin
- The '2024-25 NFL TD catch leaders' quiz
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Cowboys make decision on Micah Parsons' trade request
First-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer has been trying to instill civility at practice when tempers flare, but he has no choice but to stay idle as the Dallas Cowboys front office and Micah Parsons face off at training camp. On Friday, Parsons took to social media to announce he sent executive vice president Stephen Jones a request to be traded from the Cowboys. "Unfortunately I no longer want to be here," Parsons wrote, per a post on X. "I no longer want to be held to close door negotiations without my agent present. "I no longer want shots taken at me for getting injured while laying it on the line for the organization our fans and my teammates. I no longer want narratives created and spread to the media about me." Dallas didn't appear fazed by Parsons' request. Per Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Cowboys have no plans to trade Parsons this summer, though multiple teams will plan to inquire about the three-time All-Pro pass-rusher. "The Dallas Cowboys have no intention of trading Micah Parsons, per sources," Russini posted on X. "Still, teams around the league are planning to reach out to check on his availability today." The Cowboys selected Parsons with the No. 12 pick in the 2021 draft. The four-time Pro Bowl nominee has recorded 256 tackles and 52.5 sacks during his four years in the league. The former Penn State standout has appeared and started in 63 games. Parsons missed four games last year due to an ankle injury. The Cowboys front office could have made the situation better by talking with Parsons' agent and keeping any issues with the star pass-rusher in-house. The Cowboys have another preseason distraction. This one is of their own making.
‘Concerns’ Emerging for Matt LaFleur, Packers Coaching Staff
Matt LaFleur and the Packers coaching staff remain one of the most respected across the NFL, but some are beginning to wonder if this group is capable of bringing a Lombardi back to Green Bay. While the Packers made the postseason in each of quarterback Jordan Love’s first two seasons as the starter, Green Bay regressed last fall and there are some significant questions at cornerback, pass rush, and along the offensive line as the 2025 season nears. If Green Bay makes big strides this season, and Love makes a leap, it could turn out to be one of LaFleur’s most impressive coaching jobs to date in his career. Is it Time to Worry About Matt LaFleur, Packers Coaching Staff? There’s real optimism about Jordan Love taking the next step and the Packers making noise in the NFC North, but not everything in Green Bay is trending in the right direction — especially on the coaching side. ESPN’s Ben Solak sees some red flags developing if 2025 plays out similarly to 2024. “Two key coaching points give me pause in Green Bay,” Solak writes of LaFleur and staff, for ESPN. “It ended the season dead last in defensive success rate against dropbacks but second in EPA per dropback faced. How? Tons of interceptions. The Packers ripped off 17 picks, tied for third most in football, and recovered 14 fumbles. They finished third in defensive EPA on takeaways (behind Denver and Buffalo), and though I don’t think their defense was poorly coached by any stretch, it probably punched above its weight last season. “The second is Green Bay’s performance against elite teams. It ended the season 1-5 in its division (beating only Chicago on a game-ending field goal block) and lost to the Eagles twice, including in the playoffs. The best defensive coordinators — Vic Fangio, Brian Flores and Aaron Glenn — were able to flummox Love and expose that opportunistic defense. Green Bay’s staff never found a solution as the season went on.” If the Packers are going to take that next step, LaFleur and his coordinators will need to prove they can scheme consistently — not just rely on turnovers or hot streaks. Defensive volatility and an offense that falters against elite play-callers isn’t a recipe for sustainable success. Follow Matt Lombardo on Threads at @MattLombardoNFL. To read more of our articles and in-depth NFL coverage, click here.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Shares Impressive Take On Troy Fautanu Versus TJ Watt
The Pittsburgh Steelers felt very good when they were able to select offensive tackle Troy Fautanu in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Fautanu quickly impressed during his rookie offseason, showing the kind of talent and maturity that led Head Coach Mike Tomlin to name him a starter before the regular season began. Unfortunately, his rookie year was derailed by a season-ending injury, and he never got the chance to showcase his ability on the field. Now in his second season with the team, there is a lot of excitement building around Fautanu’s return. At the same time, there is also pressure. With 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers expected to lead the offense, protecting the pocket becomes even more important. The Steelers are counting on Fautanu to stay healthy and play at a high level, especially as he takes on a critical role in protecting Rodgers from opposing pass rushers. On Wednesday, Tomlin was asked about Fautanu’s progress in training camp, and his response made it clear that he likes what he’s seen. Tomlin said he has been impressed with Fautanu’s growth and toughness, especially in his one-on-one matchups with star linebacker TJ Watt. Competing against Watt in practice is one of the toughest tests a young offensive lineman can face, and Fautanu has handled it well according to Tomlin. "I thought he [Troy Fautanu] represented himself well today [against TJ Watt]," Tomlin said. "As you mentioned, he really gets an opportunity to improve and improve fast because of who he gets to work against every day." The Steelers currently have one of the highest-paid defenses in the NFL, and they recently committed $41 million per year to Watt. The team has invested heavily in building a dominant pass rush, and while that has paid off on the defensive side of the ball, it has also created a valuable environment for the team’s young offensive linemen to grow. Going up against elite defenders like Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Cam Heyward in practice has given the young group consistent, high-level reps. That kind of experience has helped them improve, and it’s exactly the kind of internal competition that the Steelers believe will lead to long-term success. Concerns are already starting to emerge about Broderick Jones and what he may or may not be able to contribute in the 2025 season. That uncertainty adds even more pressure to the second-year tackle, Fautanu, who will be counted on to solidify the right side of the line. Steelers' Have Full Faith In Troy Fautanu Even if Jones ends up playing well on the left, the right side will still need to be outstanding for the offense to operate efficiently. If Jones struggles again this season, Fautanu’s responsibilities will only increase, and the expectation will be for him to play nearly flawless football. Tomlin has remained confident in Fautanu’s development and has praised the way he has handled himself in practice, especially in matchups against Pittsburgh’s elite pass rushers. The Steelers do not typically move young, inexperienced players into the starting lineup as quickly as they did with Fautanu. That decision says a lot about how highly regarded he is by the Steelers’ leadership. Tomlin, General Manager Omar Khan, and Team President Art Rooney II clearly believe Fautanu has the tools and mentality to become a long-term fixture on the offensive line. While he still has to prove it during the regular season, everything he has shown so far points to a player who is capable of meeting the challenge.
Lakers reportedly monitoring two-time All-Star's availability
The Los Angeles Lakers finished last season with a dud after propelling to the third seed of the Western Conference, losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs. The one thing that the Wolves exposed was the Lakers' lack of an inside presence. The center spot was weak once they traded Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic midway through the season, but they found a way to manage despite putrid numbers coming from the center position. The Lakers were bottom five in both rebounds and points per game for centers during the regular season after the All-Star break. However, in the postseason, the numbers got worse. They tried to use their original starting center, Jaxson Hayes, to man the paint, but he only played 7.8 minutes per game while only scoring 1.8 points and grabbing two rebounds per contest. This team knows it needs extreme levels of help for the center spot, which is why it is reportedly looking at a former All-Star center's situation. Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints reported that the Lakers are closely monitoring the situation between Nikola Vucevic and the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls have shipped out several key players over the last year, with Vucevic being the lone former All-Star still on the roster. As his trade market winds down, some have speculated that a potential buyout is on the horizon. However, Chicago Bulls insider K.C. Johnson reported on "The Fastbreak" podcast that the Bulls have no intentions of a buyout and would like to move him for assets at the trade deadline. Vucevic would be a massive upgrade alongside Deandre Ayton, whom the Lakers signed earlier in the offseason. Vucevic put up very impressive numbers last season, averaging 18.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game while shooting 53% from the field in 73 games. His career numbers are just as impressive, and he's a former two-time All-Star as well. The Lakers should continue to monitor Vucevic and assess the Bulls' ultimate plan for him. With Ayton already in the fold, a trade for Vucevic could put them at the top of the Western Conference.
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