Los Angeles Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson has made an impressive journey from undrafted free agent to starting 29 games over the past two seasons.
Now, the former Iowa Hawkeye heads into free agency, where quality options are limited.
“Jackson finished off 2024 on a $4.9M restricted tender, setting up what should prove to be a nice pay raise in his first trip to the open market,” wrote Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti on February 11. “The 26-year-old is projected for a 3-year, $48M contract in our system.”
“The former undrafted free agent out of Iowa has settled in quite nicely over the past few years protecting the blindside of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, with a career year across the board in 2024 coming at just the right time,” PFF.com wrote in January.
Jackson is entering free agency after a one-year, $4.9 million contract.
Ginnitti’s projection for Jackson is lower than some others, with PFF forecasting a four-year, $58 million deal with $37.8 million guaranteed.
Rams LT Alaric Jackson Due for Significant Raise in Free Agency
The bidding for Alaric Jackson’s services could become too costly for the Rams to match.
“There are a lot of differing opinions on Alaric Jackson in the personnel departments of guys I’ve talked with. Some love him, and some don’t,” CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco wrote on February 14. “But when a starting left tackle hits the market, he will get action. That, coupled with him being 26, should get him a nice contract.”
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler speculated that Jackson could secure a contract that the Rams might be unwilling to match or surpass in free agency.
“Jackson might have priced himself out of Los Angeles, proving to be a reliable starting tackle with upside,” Fowler wrote in January. “He’s known in the Rams building as a hard worker, and with more consistency, he can become a top-15, top-20 left tackle.”
Fowler also suggested that the Rams might look to target Minnesota Vikings free agent Cam Robinson as a potential replacement for Jackson.
“Robinson quite possibly played his way above the $20-million-per-year threshold, with the recent precedent of Garett Bolles’ four-year, $82 million deal in Denver as a comp,” Fowler wrote. “The Rams and Chiefs are among teams that could be looking for left tackle help.”
Fowler also noted that Robinson could return to Minnesota, which could leave the Rams in a difficult position. ESPN’s Dan Graziano suggested the Rams might explore a short-term deal with Jackson.
“Jackson played this season on a $4.89 million restricted free agent tender, and if he’s looking for high-end left tackle money, the Rams might not be able to sign him before free agency in March,” Graziano wrote on February 9. “If he’s a big enough priority for them, the franchise tag is an option.”
According to Over The Cap, the franchise tag for an offensive lineman is $25.1 million.
Rams OL Deemed ‘Biggest Offseason Priority’
Jackson was a reserve on the Rams’ Super Bowl-winning team in 2021, his rookie year, but has become a key player in recent seasons.
However, he’s not the only question mark for the Rams regarding their “biggest offseason priority.”
“Biggest offseason priority: Figure out the future of the offensive line,” ESPN wrote in January. “[Rob] Havenstein has one non-guaranteed year left on his contract, and left tackle Alaric Jackson is a free agent. Jonah Jackson, who signed a three-year deal this offseason, lost his job to rookie sixth-round center Beaux Limmer.”
The Rams’ approach to their offensive line may hinge on what unfolds with Stafford.
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