Desjuan Johnson, Keir Thomas, Los Angeles Rams
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Keir Thomas #96 and Desjuan Johnson #94 of the Los Angeles Rams react after sacking Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Wild Card Playoffs.
The Los Angeles Rams were finally able to announce their trade for Trent McDuffie and the signing of Jaylen Watson in free agency on Wednesday, which served as headliners for a day of roster activity that also included Keir Thomas.
Thomas is a former undrafted free agent, but one who has flashed when he has seen the field.
Securing him for the 2026 season is the kind of move that often goes unheralded in real-time but pays dividends down the stretch of a long NFL season.
Rams Reach Deal With Intriguing Pass Rusher Keir Thomas
Keir Thomas, Los Angeles Rams
GettyKeir Thomas #96 of the Los Angeles Rams sacks Brian Hoyer #7 of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Thomas has spent his entire four-year NFL career with the Rams, but an injury sidelined him during the 2025 campaign. According to TheRams.com’s Wyatt Miller, it is a one-year deal for Thomas to return to the Rams in 2026.
“He’s appeared in 17 regular season games, starting one, along with three postseason games,” Miller wrote on March 11. “He’s registered 13 tackles (three for loss) in the regular season and three tackles in the playoffs. He appeared in zero games in 2025 after sustaining a season-ending undisclosed injury in the preseason which landed him on Injured Reserve.
“Thomas re-joins an outside linebacker room featuring Jared Verse, Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart.”
The Rams are coming off a 12-win season and a trip to the NFC Championship Game.
Retaining Thomas may not garner the kind of attention some of the Rams’ other moves this offseason have. But he has already proven himself a capable contributor, and he has done it while playing in the Rams’ defensive scheme.
Keir Thomas Sparks Reminder
Keir Thomas, Los Angeles Rams
GettyKeir Thomas #96 of the Los Angeles Rams sacks Max Duggan #8 of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Thomas’ last regular-season game was in Week 18 of the 2024 season, his only appearance of that slate.
However, he has made a strong impression.
“Rams were really excited for him following an explosive postseason in the 2024 season,” “Downtown Rams” host Jake Ellenbogen posted on X on March 11, following the news of Thomas’ return.
Despite not carving out a large role so far in his NFL career, Thomas has created a buzz for several seasons.
That showed in his ability to deliver on the expectations for him as a rookie.
“Hearing Rams OLB Keir Thomas is making the initial roster,” The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue posted on X in August 2022. “UDFA rookie who really worked this summer. Solid against the run, not just a pass-rusher.”
Keir Thomas a ‘Tweener’
Neville Gallimore, Keir Thomas, Los Angeles Rams
GettyNeville Gallimore #92 and Keir Thomas #96 of the Los Angeles Rams tackle Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles for a safety during the NFC Divisional Playoff.
The 28-year-old Thomas entered the league with the Rams as a polarizing prospect, both due to his size and skill set. However, he offers positional versatility and has been a contributor on special teams for the Rams.
“Thomas is a bit of a tweener with the demeanor and toughness of a 4-3 interior player but the size of a 4-3 base end,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote ahead of the 2022 draft. “He plays with pop in his hands and a natural feel for getting rid of the blocker, but the pro-day testing did not help his cause.”
Thomas has earned the coaching staff’s trust in LA.
He has played in three playoff games, including their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2025 NFC Divisional Round. He could earn a larger role with improved health.