The Los Angeles Rams are having themselves a day.
First, the team squashed the trade rumors surrounding franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford by restructuring his deal and locking in the 37-year-old field general for the 2025 season.
The move should pay huge dividends for a team that just won an NFC West title and playoff game in 2024, especially considering that many of the team’s offensive contributors — including star wideout Puka Nacua and bellcow running back Kyren Williams — are under contract with the team for at least next season.
Now, the Rams are taking further steps to solidify their offensive core, extending one of Stafford’s best protectors to a lucrative extension.
Alaric Jackson Receives 3-Year Extension From Rams
The Rams’ offensive line ranked 13th in PFSN’s end-of-year rankings, which was buoyed by a seventh-place ranking over the final four weeks of the season (after the unit got healthier and near full strength).
One of the biggest contributors to that success was left tackle Alaric Jackson, a former undrafted free agent who allowed just three sacks in 893 snaps last season.
Given his importance to Stafford’s success and health — 2024 was the first time the quarterback didn’t miss a game due to injury since 2021 — the Rams rightfully decided to award the pending free agent with a three-year, $57 million contract extension that comes with $35 million in guarantees, according to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz.
Sources: The #Rams and LT Alaric Jackson have agreed to a 3-year, $57M deal with $35M guaranteed, keeping him in Los Angeles to protect Matthew Stafford.
Jackson, who was set to be a top free agent in a few weeks, will now remain with the Rams as they lock in the 26-year-old… pic.twitter.com/OuUQ3Mc3Iw
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 28, 2025
Jackson, who was the ninth-best free agent available according to PFSN’s free agent big board, was the best left tackle on the market this offseason. Among offensive linemen, he ranked behind only right tackle Morgan Moses and guard Trey Smith on PFSN’s board.
In his second season as the Rams’ starting left tackle, Jackson cut his pressure rate allowed from 7.4% in 2023 to 4.7% in 2024. That was the 10th-lowest pressure rate allowed among offensive linemen who played the majority of their snaps at left tackle.
By raw totals, Jackson also cut his hits allowed in half, from eight in 2023 to four in 2024. Jackson turns 27 in July and has demonstrated an ability to hold up at the most valued offensive line position.
As a whole, L.A.’s blocking unit finished last season with a pressure rate of 32.2% (10th) and a sack rate of 5.3% (fifth). The Rams’ numbers ranked in the top half of the league, whether facing the blitz or not.
Los Angeles also ranked third in the NFL in running back yards before contact per rush (1.09) and 12th in run block win rate, which combined to make them a top-10 run-blocking offensive line.
With Jackson now secured, the Rams will officially bring back the majority of their offensive core from 2024, when the team finished inside the top 10 in passing yards per game (227.5). Next on the team’s agenda will be resolving the Cooper Kupp trade saga.