The LA Rams say farewell to free agent OC Austin Blythe

Blythe was one of the best IOL available

Now don’t get me wrong. Blythe is an extremely versatile NFL veteran interior offensive lineman who can play, and start, and multiple offensive line positions. He’s seen good times, as his Pro Football Focus (PFF) overall grade of 76.4 from the 2018 NFL season.  He’s seen bad times, as his 50.2 grade from PFF the very next year. in 2019.  He ended up in 2020 at a grade of 69.3.

Not horrible. Not great. But apparently, not good enough for the LA Rams.

The 6-foot-3 offensive center was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts at the 248th selection of the 2016 NFL Draft. He played eight games for the Colts that year but was released in 2017. The Rams claimed him off waivers, and he had modest action in both the offense and special teams.

He became the starting offensive right guard and contributed to one of the best offensive lines of this era. The Rams started Andrew Whitworth, Rodger Saffold, John Sullivan, Austin Blythe, and Rob Havenstein that year, and followed their blocks all the way to Super Bowl 53.

In 2019, the entire offensive line struggled, and Blythe did so as well. But after a minor injury, he was reinstalled as the team’s starting center midway through the season. He seemed to stabilize the offensive line, so he returned in 2020 as the starting offensive center.  This past season, PFF statistics show that Blythe played 1120 offensive snaps, third-most in the NFL. He allowed four sacks from the center position, again third-fewest in the NFL (tie).  His one penalty is tied for 26th in the NFL. Why so low with just one?

Well, the NFL officials were truly not calling many offensive holding penalties in 2020. And it’s virtually impossible for an NFL center to jump offside since he snaps the ball. In the end, the Rams didn’t re-sign Blythe, who remains a young and very solid offensive line who will help the Chiefs tremendously.