The Los Angeles Rams made a lot of preparations this offseason to build on the success of 2024 and create a championship-caliber team in 2025.
Matthew Stafford is back, the offensive line is mostly the same and the team even added Davante Adams to replace Cooper Kupp. While the defense remains a work in progress, this Rams squad has the makings of another team who can compete in the playoffs.
A lot of the Rams’ success hinges on Stafford’s ability to stay healthy and upright, though. That’s why Pro Football Focus’s Dalton Wasserman wrote that starting left tackle Alaric Jackson is the Rams’ top make-or-break player heading into the season.
“No current starting quarterback needs proficient pass protection as much as Matthew Stafford,” Wasserman wrote. “That’s a huge reason why the Rams re-signed left tackle Alaric Jackson to a three-year contract worth roughly $19 million per year. Unfortunately, Jackson is now dealing with a blood clot issue that puts his status in doubt, at least for the beginning of the 2025 season. The Rams ranked 30th in the NFL in PFF pass-blocking grade last season, and Jackson is arguably the most important part of a turnaround in the department.”
General manager Les Snead wouldn’t have re-signed Jackson if he didn’t think he was an important piece of the Rams’ 2025 puzzle. The former undrafted free agent has shone in recent years and is coming off a solid season despite missing the first two games with a PED suspension.
The blood clot issue isn’t good, as a similar ailment cost Jackson the final nine games of the 2022 season. The Rams signed veteran D.J. Humphries to step up in case Jackson needs to miss time. Jackson’s deal is big, but it’s effectively just a two-year deal, which gives the Rams some flexibility if Jackson’s health goes south.
The Rams have to hope it doesn’t come to that.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: PFF picks this starter as Rams’ make-or-break player in 2025
Reporting by Tyler Greenawalt, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
