Turf Show Times
How does the Rams offensive line look heading into 2025?
The Los Angeles Rams have a positive outlook heading into the 2025 season. However, all of that could be moot if the offensive line becomes an issue as it has during portions of 2023 and 2024. Last season, the Rams had injuries at center and left guard while in 2023, it was injuries on the right side that limited the offense’s ceiling.
For the Rams offense to hit its potential in 2025, the offensive line has to do what it hasn’t been able to over the past two years. It was arguably the key to the Rams winning the Super Bowl in 2021. If the Rams are going to hit their ceiling, the offensive line needs to be a borderline top-10 unit and they have to stay healthy.
That’s something that has already become problematic as Alaric Jackson is out for an indefinite period as he manages blood clots after signing an extension in the offseason. As proven by last year’s musical chairs in training camp, this is a group that has to be able to build cohesion in the summer and that should pay dividends come September.
There are legitimate questions to be had about this version of the Rams offensive line and whether or not they managed it properly this offseason. Let’s take a look at how the Rams have built their offensive line.
As mentioned previously, Alaric Jackson will be out for an indefinite period after recurring blood clots. Jackson dealt with blood clots in 2022 and was forced to miss the second half of the season. While he is now managing them before Week 1 and the start of the year, it’s impossible to know how much time he will miss.
The best example may be to look at Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore last summer. Barmore was diagnosed with blood clots last July and wasn’t activated until November 16. Jackson’s diagnosis came a month earlier, but it’s also worth noting that Barmore went back on injured reserve with recurring symptoms on December 19.
There is a realistic possibility that Jackson simply doesn’t play this season. At the same time, he could be back in October or even sooner. Blood clots are serious which makes it difficult to narrow in on a specific timeline.
It’s fair to wonder whether or not the Rams made the correct decision to sign Jackson to a three-year, $57 million contract. At 26th overall, they could have drafted Josh Simmons from Ohio State. That’s also something that could have been done outside of Jackson’s injury. Still, as a team on the cusp, it made sense to bring back a familiar presence at left tackle. Jackson may not be a top-15 player at the position, but he is solid. Rarely will Jackson be the weak point on an offensive line.
Again, ideally Jackson is back for the start of the season or misses only the...
