Connor Barwin signs deal with Rams, reunites with Wade Phillips
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Rams agreed to terms with Connor Barwin, who will transition back to outside linebacker as part of the 3-4 scheme being implemented by new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.
Barwin signed a one-year contract that maxes out at $6.5 million, a source told ESPN's Adam Caplan.
Barwin transitioned to defensive end when the Eagles went to a 4-3 system in 2016, but will return to his roots as an outside linebacker under Phillips, who coached Barwin as the Texans' defensive coordinator from 2011 to '12.
The Barwin signing came hours after the Rams inked Lance Dunbar, who enters as their change-of-pace running back. Also on Thursday, the club found out the Bills had matched its offer sheet for free-agent center Ryan Groy, sending the Rams back into the free-agent market for help at the position.
Barwin joins Mark Barron, Alec Ogletree and Robert Quinn, formerly a defensive end, as the starting linebackers in their new 3-4 system.
The 30-year-old struggled at a new position last year, grading 100th among 109 qualified edge rushers by Pro Football Focus. But Barwin has started every single game since 2011 and has racked up 46 sacks, 229 solo tackles, 38 pass deflections and seven forced fumbles in that six-year stretch.
