Masterful marketing plan launched by this Rams projected free agent after SB LIX

The LA Rams players are fully aware of the fair market value of advertising during the NFL's annual Super Bowl. It's common knowledge to everyone, even non-football fans, as the annual parade of Super Bowl commercials has become something of an annual tradition in many households. Because those commercials are both creative and incredibly entertaining, the time has become a bit of a mecca to advertising agencies to launch their new advertising campaigns.

So if it is worthwhile for ad agencies to target the Super Bowl to launch new commercials and ad campaigns, why wouldn't it also be the ideal opportunity for an imminent NFL free agent to market himself as well? After all, you know that 30 NFL general managers, countless NFL personnel executives, coaches, players, prospects, and analysts are all tuned in to see the final football game of the season.

And their social media accounts are likely to be turned on and being monitored for NFL updates.

Alaric Jackson's marketing campaign

If you are not aware, the LA Rams starting offensive line will remain intact through the 2025 NFL season, with one huge exception: Starting left tackle Alaric Jackson. The Rams know that Jackson was a solid starter throughout 2024, and with overall grades of 78.3 from Pro Football Focus, he is likely one of the top offensive tackles available in the 2025 NFL Free Agency market.

Jackson is a no-nonsense guy who simply suits up and slams defenders. Per PFF, Jackson allowed three quarterback sacks and committed seven penalties. He played on 893 offensive snaps in 14 games in 2024. He missed the first two games of the season due to an NFL-imposed suspension, and sat out the final game of the season to rest up for the playoffs.

Despite playing two games, he did not allow a sack in the 2025 NFL Playoffs.

So when the opportunity arose to stir the pot over NFL teams investing in offensive linemen, Alaric Jackson struck with a short but provocative statement that is sage wisdom for all NFL teams:

Of course, investing in the trenches is a great marketing strategy for a starting NFL left tackle on an expired contract. The LA Rams can be very proud of the fact that the team was able to coach up an undrafted offensive lineman to start as early as 2022. That's quite the success story but puts the Rams at a difficult crossroads this year.

If past practice is any indication, Jackson is due for a multi-year contract that is estimated to come in at approximately $14 million per year. At that estimated compensation, Jackson could trigger the compensatory draft pick algorithm and award the Rams a Round 3 pick. That's a lofty addition to the Rams' arsenal of draft picks, and one that the team is likely to covet.

But not extending Jackson comes with a downside as well. If the team opts to stand fast, they save the funds to spend elsewhere, but the team will likely need to plan for the unenviable competition between Warren McClendon Jr., A.J. Arcuri, K.T. Leveston, and perhaps a rookie prospect. That is not the type of scenario that exudes a lot of confidence in the Rams' plans.

So the Rams must decide if Alaric Jackson is more valuable as the starting left tackle for years to come, or if his value is better cashed in by allowing him to sign a lucrative contract elsewhere, and rolling the dice on what the awarded compensatory draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft might be.

Either way, it will leave an opportunity for second guessing for quite some time: As always, thanks for reading.

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