Less than a year after securing Jonah Jackson with a $51 million contract, the Los Angeles Rams have decided to part ways with the veteran lineman. On Tuesday, it was reported that the team is trading Jackson to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jackson’s 2024 season was marred by shoulder injuries and a benching, limiting him to just four games. As reported by Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, this brief stint will cost the Rams $16.5 million for a single season of limited action.
This outcome was certainly not the Rams’ initial expectation. Jackson struggled upon his return from injured reserve and was subsequently benched in favor of rookie Beaux Limmer at center.
Los Angeles Rams’ Cap Savings From Jonah Jackson Trade
By trading Jonah Jackson, the Los Angeles Rams will realize a financial benefit. According to Over The Cap, the team will incur $5.6 million in dead money but will achieve a net savings of $14.6 million. Spotrac also provides a detailed breakdown of these figures, as shown below.
- Bears Acquire G Jonah Jackson 2025: $17.5M ($8.5M gtd) 2026: $17M (non-gtd) Rams Acquire 2025 6th Rd Pick LAR takes on $5.6M of dead cap per the move, freeing up $14.6M of space. Jackson’s $9M salary for 2025 fully guarantees March 14th.
The financial implications of this trade hinge on the assumption that the Chicago Bears are assuming the entirety of Jonah Jackson’s contract, which carries a $17.5 million value for 2025, comprised of a $9 million base salary and an $8.5 million roster bonus that has yet to be paid. This scenario is favorable for the Rams, as it indicates they won’t need to contribute any further funds to finalize the trade.
The team currently has $51.7 million in cap space with several big changes on the horizon. General Manager Les Snead all but confirmed the team will move on from Cooper Kupp and his large contract, saving the team an additional $12.5 million if a trade partner is found.
They could also restructure the contracts of Rob Havenstein and Tyler Higbee to add to the available cap space.
It is hard to remember a time when the Rams had this kind of cap space along with their first-round draft pick in place.