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Former UGA Linebacker Cut By Rams Proves NFL Grit Is Non-Negotiable
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- Former UGA Linebacker Cut By Rams Proves NFL Grit Is Non-Negotiable
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Monty Rice is no longer a Los Angeles Ram after the team cut him during final roster moves on Aug. 30, 2026. This move proves that being a star in college does not guarantee a spot in the NFL. Rice had 131 total tackles in 42 games, yet he could not hold his ground against the competition. The Rams needed to reach 53 players and made the hard choice to let him go. His journey from a third-round pick to a journeyman shows how fragile an NFL career can be.
The Reality of Roster Cuts
The decision to release Rice came just weeks after he signed with the team on Aug. 13. He played in all three preseason games and recorded seven tackles. He also gave up a 64.6 passer rating, which looked good on paper. However, the numbers told a different story about his actual impact. According to Pro Football Talk , Rice fell just short of making the final roster. The real issue was a poor 52.7 Pro Football Focus grade. He missed three tackles and registered just two stops during the preseason.
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This single grade was enough to end his time in Los Angeles. It shows that the NFL does not care about your past glory. Teams only care about what you do right now. Rice has been waived by the Titans, Saints, Falcons, Patriots, and Lions before this. He has bounced around so much that finding a home seems impossible. The league moves fast and does not look back.
Georgia Roots Cannot Save A Failing Career
Rice was once a fixture on the Tennessee Titans for three seasons. In 35 regular-season games, he totaled 128 tackles and five tackles for loss. He earned first-team All-SEC honors in 2020 while playing for the Georgia Bulldogs . Those days are behind him now. The program he came from is still a powerhouse, but that does not help him today. Per reports, head coach Kirby Smart emphasized that consistency is what the program is built on. Smart asked, "Can we repeatedly do and be successful regardless of who comes in and out of your program?" Rice failed to answer yes in the NFL.
Even though Rice was a second-team All-American in 2020, he could not translate that to the pros. He played for the Bulldogs from 2017 to 2020 and had 219 tackles. He even had a scoop-and-score against Tennessee in 2020. Those highlights are great for a highlight reel, but they do not pay the bills. The NFL is a different beast where one bad game can end your season. Rice missed too many tackles to stay on the field.
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The Hard Truth About NFL Survival
It remains to be seen if he catches on to another NFL roster or practice squad. The odds are not in his favor after being cut by so many teams. He signed with the Lions on Sept. 9, 2025, but they released him a week later. He even played for the Patriots in 2025 before being cut again on Aug. 22. The cycle repeats itself every single year. Talent gets you in the door, but consistency keeps you inside.
Rice said last year did not end up the way he wanted it. He knows the stakes are high. The Rams made their move to get down to 53 players. Now Rice is on the street again. The league is ruthless and does not show mercy to former stars. Fans in Athens remember him fondly, but the NFL has moved on.
