The Rams' defensive package that put its five best rushers on the field in known passing situations included outside linebacker Michael Hoecht for a reason.
He was coming off a season with career-bests of 81 total tackles, six sacks and 11 QB hits as a full-time starter. And, within a young group that featured four players in their first or second NFL seasons, his three seasons of experience – four including his rookie 2020 season on the practice squad – made him a veteran voice the group could count on. He had also played on the defensive line previously, so he had the perspective of someone with extensive knowledge of how the first and second levels of Los Angeles' defense operates.
As the 2025 offseason gets underway, Hoecht is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on March 13 – the start of the new league year and when the one-year restricted free agent tender he played on last season expires.
Re-signing Hoecht would keep that package intact on an ascending young defense, one that got the bulk of its pass-rush production from that defensive front. Even in a rotational role – he played in all 17 games but started in just five – his 27 pressures were fifth-most among all Los Angeles defensive linemen and linebackers, according to Next Gen Stats (NGS). He also had the third-highest pressure rate at 12.1%. His 3.0 sacks were half of what he had in 2023, but his impact was still felt. The Rams' defensive package for known passing situations would not be complete without him.
If the Rams don't bring back Hoecht, they've used a variety of avenues to re-load at edge rusher before. In free agency, they signed Leonard Floyd during the 2020 offseason (Floyd was later re-signed during the 2021 offseason). Using Hoecht's own journey as an example, undrafted free agents have been another method as well. Of course, the draft can't be ruled out, either, given selecting Byron Young in the third round in 2023 and Jared Verse in the first round last year.
The NFL's negotiating period involving players who will become unrestricted free agents begins at 9 a.m. pacific time Monday, March 10, leading into the start of free agency and the new league year Wednesday, March 12 at 1 p.m. pacific time.
