The Los Angeles Rams are getting a major boost in the trenches - and not just in terms of personnel. Right guard Kevin Dotson is back in the lineup, and he’s bringing more than just his usual physicality.
After a frustrating incident in which Seahawks defensive lineman Derrick Hall intentionally stepped on his ankle, Dotson is returning with a chip on his shoulder. And while he’s got a rematch with Seattle circled on the calendar, first, he’s got business to handle against the Chicago Bears.
Dotson’s return couldn’t come at a better time for a Rams offensive line looking to reestablish dominance up front. But this matchup isn’t just about LA’s reinforcements - it’s also about Chicago’s scramble to patch up a suddenly vulnerable offensive line.
The Bears are in scramble mode after losing starting left tackle Ozzy Trapilo to injury. Their initial plan seemed straightforward: plug in backup Theo Benedet. But with the Rams’ defensive front looming - and particularly the threat of outside linebacker Jared Verse - Chicago is opting for a more aggressive shuffle.
They’re sliding Pro Bowl guard Joe Thuney out to left tackle, a move that speaks volumes about how seriously they’re taking Verse’s impact off the edge. The Bears’ offensive line plan is now set: Thuney at left tackle, Jordan McFadden at left guard, Drew Dalman anchoring at center, Jonah Jackson at right guard, and Darnell Wright holding down right tackle.
That reshuffle might help on paper, but it also signals that the Bears know exactly who they’re up against - and that Jared Verse is the kind of player who forces teams to rethink everything.
Verse hasn’t quite hit the sack numbers fans hoped for this season, but don’t let that fool you. He’s been a constant disruptor, collapsing pockets, forcing hurried throws, and making quarterbacks uncomfortable.
And against a mobile QB like Caleb Williams, pressure isn’t just about sacks - it’s about containment. If Verse and the Rams can keep Williams from breaking outside and creating chaos, they’ll have a real shot at dictating the tempo of this game.
But the Rams’ pass rush can’t afford to be a one-man show. Verse may be the tone-setter, but he’ll need help.
Defensive linemen Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske, along with edge rusher Byron Young, are more than capable of making noise in their own right. When this unit is clicking, they don’t just get after the quarterback - they change the entire complexion of a game.
That’s what LA needs right now: a defensive spark. The pass rush came out hot against Carolina, but after an early burst of sacks, it faded.
That can’t happen against Chicago. This group needs to bring consistent heat, and it starts with Verse.
He’s earned a reputation as a guy who shows up when it matters. Now, with the postseason looming and every snap carrying weight, it’s time for him to prove it again.
The Bears are reshuffling their entire front to try and slow him down - and that’s the ultimate sign of respect. But with that respect comes expectation.
This is the kind of game where stars are supposed to shine. If Jared Verse brings the energy early, the rest of the Rams’ defense will follow. And if they do, this could be the kind of performance that reminds the league what LA’s front seven is capable of when it’s fully locked in.
It starts in the trenches. It starts with Verse. And the Rams are counting on their pass rush to set the tone.