As Rams rest in their BYE week, here are 3 free agents who haven't panned out

After a very successful 2023 NFL season, the Los Angeles Rams seemed to be a shoe-in for another run at post-season competition. All that this team needed was some shrewd veteran free agent signings to fill in some depth concerns on the roster, and the hot streak that carried the team into the 2024 NFL Playoffs would get the team off to another hot start this season.

Only that never happened.

I love what LA Rams GM Les Snead is capable of giving the team. He repeatedly manages crises that propagate throughout the season by identifying and acquiring the right fit at the right position to help the team weather the storm. And as we have witnessed in 2019, 2021, 2022, and even 2024, he still has a knack for salvaging impossible situations and turning them into some version of positive outcomes.

But sometimes the chances that the front office have taken have not panned out. Here are three such Rams free agency signings that have, as of yet, not panned out:

(3) - IOL Jonah Jackson

When the team reportedly signed former Detroit Lions IOL Jonah Jackson, the hope was that he would reclaim his former Pro Bowl form, and be one of the upgrades for the team in 2024. But he has not only not been an upgrade, but he is also a bit of a no-show. You see, he has suited up for just two of the five games played in 2024 so far. And even when he is on the football field, he has not delivered what the Rams and Rams fans hoped for. Per his Pro Football Focus grade of 56.6, Jackson has not delivered to his potential. And right now, he is on Injured Reserve and is not eligible to return to the active roster before Week 8.

Better alternatives:

The Rams pivoted from extending starting center Coleman Shelton to signing Jonah Jackson to a three-year contract worth up to $51 million. Conversely, Shelton signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears for only $3 million. So far, Shelton is not only more durable, but he is outperforming Jackson as well.

While the team had no way of seeing into the future, the team did draft rookie center Beaux Limmer, who is currently playing on his rookie contract of four years worth up to $4.158 million. So far, Limmer has been playing very well, and for the sake of continuity, should retain his starting role for the team even if/when Jackson is healthy enough to return.