'Hard Knocks: Los Angeles': Finale documents linebacker Clay Johnston's move from Rams to Carolina Panthers
The final episode of 'Hard Knocks: Los Angeles' focused on the cutting of players as the NFL season draws close to a start. One of the players in focus was Linebacker Clay Johnston who had a fruitful season with the Los Angeles Rams. Two days ago, it was announced that Johnston was signing with Carolina Panthers where he would join his dad Kent and head coach Matt Rhule. The latter was also Johnston’s college coach at Baylor.
Johnston was picked up by the Rams in the seventh round this year. From what we saw on 'Hard Knocks', he had quite a fruitful season and managed to impress the coaching staff and players. Despite having an inkling about the Panthers having Johnston in their crosshairs, they decided to cut him and add to the practice squad. Soon after this move, Carolina swooped in and added him to the Panthers practice squad. This move does come as a bit of a surprise as the rookie seemed quite happy being with the practice squad.
Soon after, there is one segment on the episode that shows Johnston's video call to his dad where the duo discusses working together and the LB was seen beaming as he now gets to train up close with his father and Rhule. He immediately notified Les Snead, the Rams General Manager, about his call to picking the Panthers, and despite the loss, the Rams understood what it meant for the player. It wasn't just the Rams camp that was shown cutting out players. The Chargers also trimmed their roster down to 53 players. Each player was shown walking into the offices and getting to know what was in store for them.
Coming back to Johnston, the 24-year-old was constantly in focus during the reps and the scrimmage games. His interactions with the squad and the coaches were well documented and were proof he was an earnest young man working hard to make the cut. With Panthers as his new home, only time will tell how Johnston fares as the season progresses.
The Los Angeles Rams will start off their season by facing the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, September 13, 2020.