$28 Million Rams Free Agent Defender Called ‘Barkley Stopper’
Last season, facing Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley represented its own special type of torture for the Los Angeles Rams.
While Barkley was great from start to finish in 2024 on the way to winning a Super Bowl, rushing for over 2,000 yards and being named NFL Offensive Player of the Year, there was no team he laid waste to more than the Rams in that stretch.
In 2 games against the Rams, Barkley rushed for over 200 yards and 2 touchdowns both times.
In a 37-20 Eagles win in Week 12 of the regular season, Barkley had 26 carries for 255 yards and 2 touchdowns to go with 4 receptions for 47 yards.
In a 28-21 Eagles win over the Rams in the NFC Divisional Round, Barkley had 26 carries for 205 yards and 2 touchdowns — including a legendary, 78-yard touchdown run in the middle of a snowstorm.
Headed into a Week 3 battle of unbeatens between the Eagles and Rams in Philadelphia, it remains to be seen if Los Angeles is ready to finally make a stand against Barkley, with a new face trying to help them get it done.
‘Barkley Stopper’ Comes To Rams In Free Agency
Those staggering failures played into why they signed 5-foot-11, 310-pound nose tackle Poona Ford to a 3-year, $27.6 million free agent contract on March 10.
Now, we get to see if Ford can be the difference maker the Rams hope they paid for when the unbeaten Eagles host the unbeaten Rams in Week 3 — and see if Ford can truly be the “Barkley Stopper” described by Los Angeles Times reporter Gary Klein.
“The Rams signed Poona Ford to a $27 million contract as part of a defensive makeover done, in part, to try and stop Eagles running back Saquon Barkley,” Klein wrote on September 20. “Poona Ford is at the forefront of the Rams’ purpose-built ‘Stop Barkley’ brigade.”
Ford Not Typical NFL Defensive Lineman
One look at Ford’s career shows an interior defensive lineman with a career trajectory perhaps unlike anyone in the NFL at his position.
That almost starts and ends with Ford’s stature — at 5-foot-11 and 310 pounds he’s built unlike almost any other NFL defensive lineman.
That’s something Ford has heard at every point of his football career having to prove himself. Take into consideration that Ford was the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year at the University of Texas in 2017 but still went undrafted in 2018.
Ford turned that disappointment into a lengthy NFL career.
He made the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2018 and played his first 5 seasons there before spending 2023 with the Buffalo Bills and 2024 with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Ford has started 81 out of a possible 103 career games. He had arguably his best season as a pro in 2024, starting all 17 games for the Chargers as he finished with 39 tackles and career highs in sacks (3.0), TFL (8) and QB hits (9).
Barkley Off To Slow Start in 2025
For Barkley, facing the Rams might be the remedy for a slow start to the 2025 regular season. Through 2 games, Barkley has 40 carries for 148 yards and 2 touchdowns — the most telling stat there being he’s averaged just 3.7 yards per carry.
In his historic 2024 campaign, Barkley averaged 5.8 yards per carry and ran for over 100 yards in 2 of his first 3 regular season games.
49ers rocked: Pro Bowl TE George Kittle sidelined for weeks with hamstring injury, offense faces major test
The San Francisco 49ers are facing a major early-season setback, as star tight end and Pro Bowler George Kittle is expected to miss multiple weeks with a hamstring injury. The news, first reported on Monday, immediately raises questions about how the 49ers will adjust their offensive strategy without one of their most dynamic and reliable weapons.
Kittle, 31, has been the heartbeat of San Francisco’s offense for years. His physical style of play, unmatched energy, and ability to dominate both as a pass-catcher and blocker make him an irreplaceable piece of Kyle Shanahan’s system. Last season, Kittle posted over 1,000 receiving yards for the third time in his career, while also hauling in seven touchdowns, proving once again why he’s regarded as one of the league’s best all-around tight ends.
But for now, the 49ers will have to prepare for life without him. Hamstring injuries are notoriously tricky, often requiring longer recovery periods to prevent re-aggravation. While there is no official timetable for Kittle’s return, sources suggest the team expects him to be sidelined “multiple weeks,” a timeline that could stretch further depending on how his rehab progresses.
This development couldn’t come at a more critical time. San Francisco opened the season with high expectations after reaching the NFC Championship Game last year, and many analysts picked them as a Super Bowl favorite. Losing Kittle for even a handful of games could disrupt the rhythm of quarterback Brock Purdy, who has leaned heavily on Kittle’s presence as both a safety valve and a big-play threat in the middle of the field.
The 49ers do have depth at the position, but none with Kittle’s rare blend of blocking prowess and receiving talent. Backup tight ends Charlie Woerner and Cameron Latu will be called upon to step up, while the offense may lean more heavily on star running back Christian McCaffrey and wideouts Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. Still, replacing Kittle’s energy, leadership, and versatility is nearly impossible.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan downplayed panic but acknowledged the challenge ahead: “George sets the tone for us every week. Obviously, we’re going to miss him, but this is the NFL — injuries happen. We’ve got to adapt and keep pushing forward.”
For Kittle, the focus is now on recovery. Known for his relentless work ethic, the All-Pro tight end will attack his rehab with the same intensity he shows on the field. The 49ers are hopeful he’ll return before the season’s midpoint, but until then, the team will have to dig deep to keep its championship aspirations on track.
The countdown begins for the 49ers — and all eyes will be on how they weather life without George Kittle.
