Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner has been a prolific sack artist since he entered the league. Since 2023, Turner has registered 24 sacks and 43 quarterback hits in 51 career games.
He’s played a lot of quarterbacks in his career already, but Turner told Quentin Lake during a recent episode of the team’s “Right on Q” podcast that he’s almost rather play an elusive quarterback than one who gets the ball out fast.
“Sometimes, like, the fast ones or the elusive ones, you can kind of trap them in,” Turner said. “Sometimes facing a quarterback that’s going to get the ball out quick is worse cause the second you pop him in his face or whatever, now he’s dirting it or he’s throwing it to whatever receiver he knows he has a check down. … Sometimes I’d rather play a guy who thinks he’s shiftier than he really is. Then you can get him down.”
Now, Turner agreed with Lake that he likes playing the “statues” — or the quarterbacks who stay in the pocket and aren’t as mobile. However, Turner’s assessment is all about opportunity. He’d rather play a quarterback that’s more willing to dance around behind the line of scrimmage because it gives him more time to take him down, rather than quarterback who wants to get the ball out as quick as possible.
The problem with facing elusive quarterbacks, though, is that you run into the situation Turner noted earlier in the podcast with regard to Lamar Jackson. The Baltimore Ravens’ star quarterback eluded Turner in a 2023 game and lofted up a touchdown that ultimately helped his team win. Another example reared its head in the 2025 playoffs, when Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams avoided Rams defenders before tossing up a game-tying touchdown on fourth down to set up overtime in the NFC divisional round.
Turner has the skills to sack any quarterback, but it’s interesting to see his thought process when it comes to different types of passers he faces.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Kobie Turner explains why elusive QBs are sometimes easier to sack
Reporting by Oliver G., Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
