The Los Angeles Rams bring well-established starters into the 2025 season, as visions of another Super Bowl run manifests. Although one highly-paid starter is facing a "make-or-break" campaign.
Pro Football Focus rolled out its list of players on the hot seat for this fall. PFF listed one player for each team as walking into a critical season Tuesday.
Matthew Stafford didn't make the cut, even after an offseason featuring trade chatter and losing his best wide receiver Cooper Kupp. But a reliable Stafford teammate earned the "make-or-break" label: Starting left tackle Alaric Jackson.
Here's why PFF believes the consistent blindside starter faces a major '25 campaign.
Matthew Stafford vs. the Eagles in the snow.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford faces a heavy Eagles pass rush during the 2024 season playoffs.
© Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
"No current starting quarterback needs proficient pass protection as much as Matthew Stafford. That’s a huge reason why the Rams re-signed left tackle Alaric Jackson to a three-year contract worth roughly $19 million per year," PFF analyst Dalton Wasserman began. "Unfortunately, Jackson is now dealing with a blood clot issue that puts his status in doubt, at least for the beginning of the 2025 season."
Jackson has dealt with the same blood clot issue before. He dealt with the ailment in the 2022 season. But when healthy, Jackson reliably protects Stafford.
"The Rams ranked 30th in the NFL in PFF pass-blocking grade last season, and Jackson is arguably the most important part of a turnaround in the department," Wasserman said.
The 26-year-old stepped in as the replacement for beloved Pro Bowler Andrew Whitworth. Los Angeles and general manager Les Snead have never entertained going after Whitworth's replacement since his retirement -- as Jackson proved he can fill that void.
Jackson allowed three sacks on 583 total pass blocking attempts per PFF in 2024. But he surrendered one out of 611 pass protection plays in 2023. He's entering the '25 season with a nine-game streak of allowing zero sacks. That includes the playoff contests against the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles.
But the resurfaced blood clot issue could force Snead to make a trade or dip into the free agent market before training camp. Especially if the situation lingers for Jackson.