Since returning from his suspension, left tackle Alaric Jackson has been a pillar of the Rams offense. Not only has Jackson been playing at an All-Pro level, he has proven himself to be a long-term answer at a position that has plagued the team since Andrew Whitworth’s retirement.
Jackson was phenomenal against Minnesota, displaying an elite ability to stop pass rushers in their tracks while being a nightmare for defenders in the screen game. Puka Nacua reopened his account on Thursday, running behind Jackson who continually led the way for Rams’ ballcarriers. That play set up his incredible night.
Jackson has only allowed two sacks on the season, minimal pressure on Matthew Stafford, and the entire offensive line looks much improved when he anchors the blind side.
Jackson, a 2021 undrafted free agent from Iowa, is set to hit free agency in the offseason after signing a one-year restricted free agency tender. The Rams can not let this happen. They need to extend him now before his already-rising price tag hits astronomical numbers.
The reality of the situation is this. Kelvin Banks and Will Campbell, the two best draft-eligible tackles in college football, are expected to be taken within the top six picks of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Rams do not have another answer for the position and Jackson has proven he can get the job done.
Extending him also allows the Rams to find a developmental tackle that wouldn’t need to play right away. Jackson is the answer for today and tomorrow and it’d be a good decision to extend him