On February 26, 2025, the Los Angeles Rams made headlines in the NFL offseason by granting offensive guard Jonah Jackson permission to seek a trade, as reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. This move comes less than a year after the Rams signed Jackson to a lucrative three-year, $51 million contract in March 2024, a deal that included $34 million in guaranteed money. The decision marks a significant shift for the team and raises questions about Jackson’s future, the Rams’ roster strategy, and the broader implications for the offensive line market as the 2025 league year approaches. Let’s break down the context, the reasoning, and what this could mean moving forward.
Jonah Jackson’s Journey to the Rams
Jonah Jackson, now 28, entered the NFL as a third-round pick (No. 75 overall) by the Detroit Lions in the 2020 NFL Draft. A standout at Rutgers and later Ohio State, where he earned first-team All-Big Ten and third-team All-American honors, Jackson quickly established himself as a reliable starter. Over four seasons with the Lions, he started all 57 regular-season games he played, earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2021. His tenure in Detroit was marked by consistency and durability—until injuries began to take a toll in his final two years, where he missed nine games combined.
In March 2024, Jackson hit free agency and signed with the Rams, a move that reunited him with quarterback Matthew Stafford, whom he had blocked for during his rookie season in Detroit. The Rams, coming off a 2023 season where they had begun to rebuild their offensive line, saw Jackson as a key piece to solidify their interior alongside re-signed guard Kevin Dotson and second-year player Steve Avila. The plan was ambitious: Avila would shift from left guard to center, Jackson would man left guard, and Dotson would hold down right guard, forming a potentially dominant trio. At $17 million per year, Jackson’s contract made him one of the highest-paid guards in the league, reflecting the Rams’ intent to protect Stafford and bolster their run game under head coach Sean McVay.
A Disappointing 2024 Season
The 2024 season, however, did not unfold as planned for Jackson or the Rams’ offensive line experiment. Jackson’s time in Los Angeles was plagued by injuries and underperformance. He suffered a shoulder injury early in the season, limiting him to just four starts at left guard. When he returned, the Rams had already begun shuffling their lineup. Rookie Beaux Limmer, an undrafted free agent, emerged as a surprising standout at center, prompting Avila to slide back to left guard—Jackson’s natural position. Meanwhile, Kevin Dotson solidified his role at right guard, leaving little room for Jackson in the starting lineup.
Jackson’s lone significant action late in the season came in Week 18 against the Seattle Seahawks, where he played right guard and posted an impressive 91.8 overall blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, including a 91.6 run-blocking grade. Despite this flash of brilliance, it was too little, too late. The Rams had found stability with Limmer, Avila, and Dotson, and Jackson’s $17 million annual salary stood in stark contrast to his diminished role. By season’s end, he was viewed as an overpriced backup—a luxury the Rams could ill afford with other roster needs looming.
The Trade Permission: Why Now?
The decision to allow Jackson to seek a trade, announced on February 26, 2025, is tied to both financial and strategic considerations. A critical deadline looms on March 12, 2025, the start of the new league year, when $8.5 million of Jackson’s 2025 base salary becomes fully guaranteed. If the Rams retain him past that date, they’ll be locked into a $14.6 million cap hit for 2025 and a whopping $22.6 million in 2026—significant sums for a player who doesn’t appear to fit into their current plans.
By granting Jackson permission to explore trade options now, the Rams are giving him and his representatives time to gauge interest from other teams before the guarantee kicks in. This move also signals that the team is unlikely to keep him as a backup, despite the value of depth on the offensive line. The Rams’ front office, led by general manager Les Snead, seems intent on reallocating resources, whether through cap savings or acquiring assets in a trade, rather than carrying a high-cost reserve.
The Trade Market: Challenges and Opportunities
Trading Jackson presents a complex challenge. His $14.6 million cap hit in 2025 and $22.6 million in 2026 are daunting figures for a player coming off a season where he started just four games and was benched in favor of a rookie. Teams may hesitate to take on such a contract without the Rams absorbing part of the salary or sweetening the deal with additional assets. Moreover, Jackson’s injury history—missing significant time in three of his five NFL seasons—could dampen enthusiasm.
That said, Jackson’s pedigree and potential remain attractive. His Pro Bowl season in 2021 and his strong Week 18 performance in 2024 demonstrate that, when healthy, he can be a high-level contributor. Teams desperate for offensive line help, particularly those running schemes similar to Sean McVay’s gap-and-power concepts, might see him as a reclamation project worth pursuing. Potential suitors include:
- Detroit Lions: A return to Detroit could make sense given Jackson’s familiarity with the organization and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s system. However, the Lions replaced Jackson with veteran Kevin Zeitler in 2024 and may not have the cap space or need to bring him back.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: With guard Brandon Scherff hitting free agency and possibly retiring, the Jaguars need interior line help to protect Trevor Lawrence. New head coach Liam Coen, formerly the Rams’ offensive coordinator, might value Jackson’s fit in a McVay-style offense.
- Minnesota Vikings: Another team with a McVay-influenced scheme, the Vikings could view Jackson as an upgrade if they lose a starter in free agency.
- Chicago Bears: The Bears, seeking to bolster their line for quarterback Caleb Williams, might take a chance on Jackson if the price is right.
The Rams, however, are unlikely to recoup significant value. Analysts suggest a Day 3 draft pick (e.g., a fifth- or sixth-rounder) is the most realistic return, given Jackson’s contract and recent performance. To facilitate a deal, the Rams might need to eat some of his guaranteed money or take back a smaller contract in return.
Alternatives: Release or Retain?
If no trade materializes, the Rams face a tough decision before March 12. Releasing Jackson outright would save $3.3 million in 2025 cap space but leave $11.3 million in dead money—a modest relief that might not justify cutting ties entirely. A post-June 1 designation could increase the savings to $9 million in 2025, though it would push some dead money into 2026. Retaining him as a backup is another option, banking on his experience and hoping he can reclaim a starting role in training camp—though this seems unlikely given the team’s current trajectory.
Implications for the Rams
This situation underscores the risks of big free-agent signings on the offensive line, where scheme fit, health, and cohesion are paramount. The Rams’ investment in Jackson and Dotson—totaling $33 million annually between them—was meant to create a top-tier interior line, but Jackson’s struggles and Limmer’s emergence disrupted that vision. It’s a reminder that even well-intentioned moves can falter when injuries and roster dynamics shift.
Looking ahead, the Rams appear set with Avila, Limmer, and Dotson as their starting interior line in 2025, a cost-effective trio that performed well down the stretch in 2024. Trading or releasing Jackson would free up resources to address other needs—perhaps a playmaker like Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (as speculated in some circles) or additional defensive depth. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, every dollar counts.
What’s Next for Jonah Jackson?
For Jackson, this is a pivotal moment. At 28, he’s still in his prime and has two years left on a deal that could appeal to a team willing to bet on his upside. A fresh start elsewhere might allow him to recapture the form that made him a Pro Bowler, but he’ll need to stay healthy and prove his worth. If no trade happens and the Rams cut him, he could hit free agency again, though likely at a reduced rate given his rocky 2024 campaign.
Wrapping it up
The Rams’ decision to let Jonah Jackson seek a trade is a pragmatic, if humbling, acknowledgment that their $51 million experiment didn’t pan out. As the March 12 deadline nears, all eyes will be on whether Jackson can find a new home and what the Rams can salvage from the deal. For now, it’s a waiting game—one that encapsulates the unpredictable nature of NFL roster-building in the modern era. Whether Jackson lands with a contender or the Rams pivot in a new direction, this storyline will shape their offseason and beyond.
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