The Los Angeles Rams wasted no time making key moves after securing Matthew Stafford, ensuring the return of another crucial starter—left tackle Alaric Jackson.
Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported that Jackson has agreed to a three-year, $57 million deal with $35 million guaranteed, preventing him from entering free agency.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, negotiations on Jackson’s long-term extension gained momentum shortly after Stafford’s deal was finalized. While the agreement wasn’t initially completed, it was “trending in the right direction,” Fowler shared on X.
Jackson was expected to be a sought-after free agent due to his strong pass protection, ranking among the top left tackles in the 2025 free agency class. Instead, the Rams have secured Stafford’s blindside protector for the foreseeable future.
Per Pro Football Focus, Jackson allowed only three sacks across 583 pass-blocking snaps during the regular season. His reliability has been crucial for a Rams offensive line that struggled with instability following the retirement of Andrew Whitworth in 2022.
That season, injuries forced the team to cycle through more than 10 different line combinations. However, Jackson stood out, allowing just two sacks in 272 pass-blocking reps.
Free agency: Rams, Alaric Jackson close to long-term extension
His performance improved further in 2023, as he surrendered just one sack on 611 pass-blocking snaps. Over the past two seasons, he has logged more than 1,025 snaps at left tackle.
Initially playing on a one-year, $4.8 million deal in 2024, Jackson was projected by Spotrac to earn $16 million annually on his next contract. With his return now secured, the Rams have solidified a key position and eliminated left tackle as a priority need in the upcoming draft.