It was an absolutely dreadful year for the Rams’ offensive line, which not only lost Andrew Whitworth to retirement and Austin Corbett in free agency, but four of the five starters went down within the first six weeks of the season. The endless shuffling led to major struggles as a whole for the offense, setting an NFL record with 12 different offensive line combinations in the first 12 games of the season.
Second-year pro Alaric Jackson was one of the 13 players who started a game up front for the Rams, lining up at both right guard and left tackle. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with blood clots midway through the season and was forced to sit out the final nine games.
With the season now over, Jackson took to Twitter and shared his brutally honest thoughts about the state of the Rams’ offensive line. It’s rare for a current player to talk about his team’s depth chart, but Jackson wasn’t afraid to give his take on the situation.
He didn’t hold back, listing who he believes should be the five starters and who should be backups and reserves. His first idea was to have Joe Noteboom, himself, Brian Allen, Tremayne Anchrum Jr. and Rob Havenstein starting from left to right.
First Scenario left to right Noteboom/Jackson/Allen/Anchrum/Havenstein Back Ups: Coleman Shelton, Ty Nsekhe, Chandler Brewer and Matt Skura with Oday Aboushi, AJ Arcuri and Max Pircher in the hunt this gives us flexibility at Tackle, Guard and Center, Scenario 2 left to right
— Alaric Jackson (@Bigaj77) January 10, 2023
In his second scenario, he has Noteboom – who the Rams signed to a three-year, $40 million contract – coming off the bench. Jackson listed himself as the starting left tackle, with Anchrum, Allen, Coleman Shelton and Havenstein starting in the other four spots.
Jackson also mentioned that he believes there should be a “restructuring of deals,” though he didn’t specify who that applies to. Of course, Jackson didn’t mean any disrespect to his teammates; he just wants what’s best for the team.
Overall we have the pieces we need but we need to make the room compete and there also needs to restructuring of deals. This isn't a shot at anyone as I love each individual in that room like a brother but I strive for greatness.
— Alaric Jackson (@Bigaj77) January 10, 2023
Considering how shocking it was to see Jackson share his unfiltered thoughts on Twitter, he clarified that he wasn’t trying to attack any of his teammates or call them out. He said he talked to each of them and made sure they knew he wasn’t trying to criticize anyone’s “personal character.”
But at the same time, if they had a problem with what he said about them as football players, he doesn’t care.
“If you care about my opinion that much get better and I’ll rerank you,” he wrote.
My tweets were not aimed at anybodies personal character or them as a person that was specified in the tweet and I called each one of the boys and made sure that they knew that as a person and there emotional well being cause thats what I care for and what the Lord would want
— Alaric Jackson (@Bigaj77) January 11, 2023
I love them as people and as a football player but we in a business and the only way you get better is if you breed competition but anybody outside the room with an opinion who feels attacked and can't understand get off the baby bottle 🍼
— Alaric Jackson (@Bigaj77) January 11, 2023
Notably, Jackson left David Edwards and Logan Bruss out of his projections. Bruss tore his ACL in the preseason and missed his entire rookie season, while Edwards suffered two concussions and was shut down for the year. Jackson tweeted that Edwards is in “good spirits he will be fine,” which is good news. But Edwards is also a free agent, so he may not be back.
As for Bruss, Jackson tweeted that a torn ACL is a “long (road) my boy gotta get healthy, he fasho on his way.” One would assume he’d be ready for the start of the season, however, given the timing of the injury last year.
Jackson is still under contract in 2023 after signing with the Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2021, but he has a base salary of just $940,000 with just $6,668 guaranteed. He feels he’s deserving of a one-year prove-it deal that allows him to show he’s deserving of being a starter after getting “played in the draft.”
I feel like I deserve a 1 year prove it deal, I got played in the draft and Ive done nothing but show up when my number is called wherever whenever
— Alaric Jackson (@Bigaj77) January 11, 2023
The Rams should certainly keep Jackson in the mix next season because he was one of their five best offensive linemen when he was on the field, especially at left tackle. It gets complicated with Noteboom playing on the contract that he currently is, though the Rams could consider moving him back inside to guard – despite that being his weaker position of the two.
Los Angeles has a lot to sort out across the roster this offseason, but the offensive line should be priority No. 1.
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