Troy Reeder is staying in Los Angeles. The veteran linebacker is joining the Los Angeles Chargers after spending the past three years with the Los Angeles Rams.
Ex-Rams LB Troy Reeder signing with Chargers
Reeder plans to sign a one-year deal with the Chargers, a league source told Pro Football Network on Saturday. A Delaware alum, Reeder will be reunited with his former defensive coordinator, Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, with his new team.
Reeder was originally set to become a restricted free agent in March, but the Rams chose not to tender the linebacker. He subsequently became an unrestricted free agent and was able to sign elsewhere without restriction.
Reeder is coming off a Super Bowl win with the Rams. He started 10 of 17 games this past season and produced 91 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 6 pass breakups.
Reeder joined the Rams as an undrafted rookie in 2019. Over the past three seasons, he produced 230 tackles, 5 sacks, 8 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions.
How Reeder fits with the Chargers
Reeder is likely to compete for a starting spot in the Chargers’ defense. With former starter Kyzir White now in Philadelphia, Reeder will look to fill the void as a playmaking inside linebacker.
The 6-foot-3, 245-pound defender is familiar with Staley’s defense because of their season together with the Rams in 2020. Reeder, 27, is an athletic, aggressive linebacker who can make plays in space. While he doesn’t have the safety background that White does, Reeder has shown the ability to make plays on the ball in coverage.
During his pro day at Delaware, he ran a 4.63-second 40-yard dash and posted a vertical jump of 37.5 inches. He also had a broad jump of 10’2″, which indicates his explosiveness as an athlete.
Reeder joins a Chargers linebacker group featuring Kenneth Murray, Drue Tranquill, Amen Ogbongbemiga, Nick Niemann, Emeke Egbule, and Jamal Davis. The team also added pass rusher Khalil Mack this offseason to play opposite standout Joey Bosa.
Reeder has the versatility to play in 4-3 and 3-4 looks as an outside linebacker. He is likely to play as an off-ball defender with the Chargers.
Chargers should add to defense in draft
The Chargers should have plenty of opportunities to add to their roster in this month’s NFL Draft. Los Angeles owns 10 draft picks in the annual selection process.
The Chargers hold the following picks during draft weekend: 1-17, 3-79, 4-123, 5-160, 6-195, 6-214, 7-236, 7-254, 7-255, 7-260.