The Los Angeles Rams made an interesting signing by adding former New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Jachai Polite to their practice squad heading into Week 4.
It has been a rough start to Polite’s career thus far after being taken in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He was waived by the Jets then released by the Seahawks and is now with his third team just three games into the season.
Polite’s tumultuous tenure in the NFL thus far raises plenty of speculation regarding the Rams’ plans to help him potentially find his footing. He is hoping to take advantage of the opportunity that has been granted to him this time around.
According to Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times, Polite is looking forard to a clean slate in Los Angeles:
Jachai Polite, who was signed to Rams practice squad: "Fresh start for sure… You got to try to change for the better."
— Gary Klein (@LATimesklein) September 26, 2019
More Jachai Polite: "I’m moving forward by taking every opportunity I have and giving it my all. The Rams gave me another opportunity and I’m going to make the most of it."
— Gary Klein (@LATimesklein) September 26, 2019
Head coach Sean McVay added that expectations will remain high for Polite moving forward:
McVay on Polite: “He’s going to be held to the same standards and expectations as everybody else in this building….Everybody has got a standard to uphold and he will be in the same line in terms of those things.”
— Gary Klein (@LATimesklein) September 26, 2019
The decision to bring Polite in is certainly an intriguing one considering his struggles so early on in his career. After all, the Rams have put an emphasis on building a team culture in the locker room and putting its interest above all else.
Regardless, it appears Los Angeles is hoping that they may have just added a potential steal to their practice squad. It is simply a matter of whether or not the 21-year-old is finally ready to commit to what the Rams expect out of him this season.
Polite had reportedly fallen out of the good graces of New York’s front office when he was late for team meetings and it started to overshadow his underwhelming performance on the field. Although he was unable to make it work in Seattle, he is hoping that the third time will be the charm in Los Angeles.
The Rams’ edge rush has been rather solid through the first three games of the season, however, the prospect of shoring up some talented, young depth for the future seemed to be too good to pass up.
