Alaric Jackson served as the Rams’ starting left tackle in 2023, upping his value considerably. He was a pending restricted free agent, but Los Angeles has ensured he will not reach the market.
The Rams announced on Tuesday that Jackson has received the second-round RFA tender. As a result, he will be tied to a one-year deal worth $4.89MM unless he signs an unmatched offer sheet from an outside team. That figure represents a considerable raise compared to his career earnings across his first three seasons with the team.
Jackson had made only 12 appearances and six starts heading into the 2023 campaign. Having been used primarily at guard, the 25-year-old Canadian was not initially slated to take on blindside duties. Los Angeles had re-signed Joseph Noteboom on a $40MM to serve as the successor to Andrew Whitworth in 2022. That did not go according to plan, however, with Noteboom being limited to six games that season. That opened the door to Jackson winning the LT gig.
The latter was charged with one sack and 39 pressures allowed in 2023 by PFF. That resulted in an overall grade of 66.2, which ranked 43rd amongst qualifying tackles. Improved play would help the Rams repeat their success from last season while also upping Jackson’s market value ahead of 2025. If an offer comes in this offseason, L.A. would have the right to match it or, if not, receive a second-round pick as compensation.
The Rams were one of the teams which made a major splash on the O-line market yesterday, agreeing to a three-year, $51MM deal with guard Jonah Jackson. That, in turn, came not long after the team retained Kevin Dotson on a lucrative deal of his own. With those pacts worked out and Jackson in place, the Rams figure to have a continuity and a strong offensive front next season.