The Rams benched their $34 million guaranteed offensive lineman
The L.A. Rams paid Jonah Jackson more money than they gave to 2022 free agent Allen Robinson and he’s been even less valuable in his first season with the team, so is Jackson actually a worse signing than one of the worst signings in franchise history?
It’s going that direction.
After missing most of the season with injury and making one start in his return, Jackson was benched for rookie Beaux Limmer ahead of L.A.’s win over the Patriots on Sunday. The difference was noticeable and a sixth round pick is far outplaying a $17 million per year signing.
0 sacks allowed today by the Rams OL without Joe Noteboom and Jonah Jackson
— Ram D. Bob (@RamsTodayIG) November 17, 2024
Good for McVay and staff. Two weakest links from Monday’s offensive line aren’t in the starting rotation today. Jonah Jackson, and Joe Noteboom (injury)
They’re also coincidentally 2 of the top-6 cap hits on this roster. Hate both of their contracts a lot. https://t.co/DPXi0yXj7g
— Rams Bros. (@RamsBrothers) November 17, 2024
Jonah Jackson and Joe Noteboom on this team #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/OrgatWCSRk
— (@Rlshl11) November 17, 2024
There were some who questioned signing Jackson to a three-year, $51 million contract despite a so-so career with the Detroit Lions in which he was playing next to the best offensive linemen in the entire NFL. But things did not really go off of the rails until it was revealed that the team was moving Jackson to center at the conclusion of training camp, signaling disappointment in either Jackson, Steve Avila, or both. At $17 million per year, that would have made Jackson the second-highest paid center in the league!
Now he’s on the bench.
Given what we know now, that Sean McVay decided to start Avila at left guard on Sunday instead of playing his $17 million per year “guard”, it seems that Jackson was even more disappointing in camp and in the limited action he’s seen this season.
The Rams paid Allen Robinson a three-year, $46 million free agent contract in 2022 and he had 33 catches for 339 yards prior to being traded to the Steelers in the following offseason. But Robinson did at least play in 10 games and catch three scores.
Jackson has only appeared in three games and he’s riding the bench. His “floor” should have been as the starting left guard, but apparently Avila is better than Jackson at that job, which could have saved the Rams the $34 million GUARANTEED that Jackson was paid as a free agent.
To release or trade Jackson next year would leave an $11.3 million dead money hit but seems virtually guaranteed unless he gets back into the starting lineup. That’s because he’s due an $8.5 million roster bonus and his $9 million salary becomes guaranteed if he’s on the team on the 5th day of the 2025 league year.
That doesn’t seem likely.