Earlier this year, actress Brenda Song went viral for giving Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula advice about what the team needed to do this offseason.
She told Shula the Rams needed a run-stopper in the middle of the defensive line, and the team eventually signed defensive tackle Poona Ford to do just that. That acquisition has been wildly successful, as the Rams defense has allowed the ninth-fewest yards this year — significantly fewer it did in 2024.
Song’s husband, Macaulay Culkin, jumped on the same podcast as Song did to sing the praises of that decision. He told Josh Scherer of Mythical Kitchen that Ford is the “quiet MVP” and “unsung hero” of the Rams this year because of what he’s been able to do to the defense.
“I swear, if he was one inch taller, if he was six feet tall, he’d be making bigger bank,” Culkin said. “Man, we haven’t had a guy plug up the hole like that since [Ndamukong] Suh was on the team. He’s the quiet MVP of this season. That was a big hole on our defense — was the run. And he does it. Unsung hero.”
Song and Culkin are clearly avid Rams fans, as they’ve dove deep into the critical elements of Sean McVay’s recent squads.
Ford has been instrumental in the Rams’ run defense success this year. The unit ranked No. 1 in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus, ahead of Week 15 and then one of the best running teams in the NFL to just 70 yards on the ground in Week 16.
Ford himself is playing a modest contract — three years and $27.6 million. Chump chance for a player that’s dramatically improved, arguably the weakest link of the defense heading into 2025. Ford has just 40 combined tackles and three for a loss, but his presence has played a huge role in the defense allowing just 101.1 rushing yards per game.
