The Rams and Pro Bowl guard Jonah Jackson have agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $51 million, with $34 million guaranteed, two league sources said Monday.
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The deal cannot be official until the start of the new league year on March 13.
Agreeing to terms with Jackson comes just days after the Rams extended right guard Kevin Dotson on a three-year, $48 million deal with $32 million guaranteed.
Beefing up both guard positions will likely mean a move for second-year offensive lineman Steve Avila, who started every game at left guard in 2023, to center. Avila played center for two seasons at TCU, and when he was drafted there was internal chatter about one day moving him to center. The Rams would have also been open to working out a deal with previous starting center Coleman Shelton, who voided the final year in his contract. Shelton had a market, and Jackson’s availability plus a natural possible switch inside for Avila was too enticing to pass up or delay on.
Jackson (6-4, 311) also has played a little center, and the Rams could try that out — but as of now, team sources have strongly indicated Avila will move.
How he fits: The Rams openly stated after a disastrous 2022 season that they needed to re-invest in their offensive line. Head coach Sean McVay changed his run scheme to emphasize more gap and power concepts, with his trademark mid and outside zone mixed in. That also meant getting bigger on the inside with Dotson (acquired via trade with Pittsburgh in the summer of 2023) and drafting Avila at pick No. 36.
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2024 impact: Avila will probably move inside. A source briefed on the matter said the Rams also expect to tender left tackle Alaric Jackson, though have not yet determined the tender amount (and were waiting for other free-agency pieces to fall into place).
Of Jackson, The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy wrote: “A Pro Bowler in 2021, Jackson, 27, has been a mainstay at left guard on one of the best offensive lines in football. He’s mobile in space, powerful at the line of scrimmage and a remarkably consistent lineman when healthy — and he’s young.”
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History: Rams fans will be very, very familiar with Jackson’s body of work because he played for familiar opponent Detroit. McVay has spoken highly of coordinator Ben Johnson’s run game and Jackson’s size and strength translates over well to the Rams’ current scheme.
Cap update: The Rams also agreed to a three-year deal with tight end Colby Parkinson, worth up to $22.5 million, his agency (Wasserman) confirmed.
I’ll note, despite questions this may not actually affect the injured Tyler Higbee in 2024, though could afterward. Higbee signed a two-year, $17 million extension last September and the Rams would incur $11 million in dead money if he were released. After 2024 that sum becomes more manageable, and the Rams do expect Higbee to return from ACL and MCL repair in-season.
Pending the full outline and cap numbers for 2024, the Rams have somewhere between $6 million and $10 million to work with at this point, with more money on the way pending a Joe Noteboom restructure or release.
Outlook: The Rams won an unexpected 10 games last season behind an offensive line that dramatically improved from 2022, a healthy Matthew Stafford at quarterback and a revitalized, physical run game. That seems to be the formula this group is sticking with in 2024.
(Photo: Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images)