The Los Angeles Rams played their hand this offseason, and it was clear that they weren’t bluffing. It was obvious what they were attempting to build; a juggernaut offensive line that could bust open rushing lanes for running back Kyren Williams as much as it could protect the 36-year-old quarterback, Matthew Stafford.
They re-signed right guard Kevin Dotson to a three-year, $48 million deal. Then promptly signed left guard, Jonah Jackson to a $51 million deal days later.
They were rich contracts, making Dotson the fifth highest-paid RG and Jackson the third highest-paid LG, but it made plenty of sense to bolster the position for the reasons mentioned earlier.
Rams Swing Big On Jonah Jackson
But Jackson didn’t start the season at left guard. He started at center, despite spending most of training camp at that position. The original plan was to have 2023’s left guard, Steve Avila play center. Avila had played center while in his sophomore and junior years with the TCU Horned Frogs.
The move indicated that either Steve Avila wasn’t grasping the position or Jonah Jackson was failing at left guard. The former seems more likely than the latter.
Either way, the change was made.
Then both Avila and Jackson were injured.
They put sixth-round rookie, Beaux Limmer in for Jackson and Limmer played phenomenally well, allowing just 10 pressures in 8 games. When Jackson came off of the injured reserve the Rams slotted him back in at center. This lasted exactly one game. Jackson allowed three pressures and may have cost the team a touchdown due to an errant high snap. Limmer was back in the next game against the New England Patriots.
Now the Rams have $13.7 million worth of cap space (5.3%) warming the bench.
Rams Lost Big Bets Made On OL
Rams head coach Sean McVay has expressed confidence in Jackson getting up to speed, mentioning the limited amount of preparation time Jackson has had at the position.
Confidence or not, the Rams made several big bets that this would work seamlessly. They bet that Avila could switch positions. They bet that Jackson, who joined the team with an injury, would stay healthy. And they made a desperate bet that Jackson could move to center having NEVER played the position in the NFL or NCAA.
If the Rams were to cut him this season, his cap number would nearly double to $25 million, which they can’t afford. So they will have to wait until the offseason to move on from Jackson if they are unable to get him performing at a higher level than a 6th round rookie.
Rams offensive line coach, Ryan Wendell, has performed miracles this season, coaching up depth pieces, like Limmer, to be able to fill the role of more experienced linemen. Wendell is already being regarded as one of the most respected offensive line coaches in the league for these feats.
He can certainly get Jackson up to speed if anyone can. The question is will he get to that point soon enough to make an impact? At a certain point, the job must be Limmer’s until he is bested.
