Rams rapid response to OTA shortage at vital position results in FA signing

The Los Angeles Rams know that they struggled to keep their offensive tackles healthy and on the football field in 2025. The team opened up the 2024 NFL season without the benefit of either LT Alaric Jackson or RT Rob Havenstein. Between the pair, the Rams had to promote a backup offensive tackle to a starting role eight times. And per Lineups.com, that includes Week 1 when both offensive tackles sat and the team started two backup offensive tackles to face the Detroit Lions.

While the team's decision not to bring back swing tackle Joe Noteboom at the end of the 2024 NFL season was a crowd pleaser, the void that his absence creates on the team's depth chart is noticeable.

So, when Rob Havenstein reportedly had a medical procedure to clean up his shoulder in late April 2025, the math indicates that he is not yet recovered enough to participate in the early days of OTAs. That means that the team is down one offensive tackle. While that is nothing to fret over just yet, it does suggest that the team is a bit thin at the offensive tackle position. After all, the team did part ways with swing-tackle Noteboom. And the only roster addition to the offensive tackle position was undrafted Indiana offensive tackle Trey Wedig.

While I expect we'll hear lots more about Wedig throughout training camp, the numbers for OTAs simply did not add up. So, the team signed free agent David Quessenberry to a one-year deal. Since the team had multiple open roster spots, the addition of Quessenberry did not require a subsequent release.

So what do you need to know about David Quessenberry and what he brings to the Rams roster?

David Quessenberry brings solid veteran leadership

Okay, so now that the Rams front office has deemed it necessary to sign another veteran to the offensive line, what clues does this give Rams fans? After all, if everything was good, the team would not have spent more money. And the team knew that Havenstein had undergone minor surgery more than one month ago.

The Rams do not panic. The Rams seldom overreact to developing challenges. Even when veterans fall to injury, this team seems to proceed cautiously, measuring twice to cut once, and the results have been solid, if not downright impressive.

(4) Quessenberry has beaten the odds, repeatedly

David Quessenberry has been an NFL offensive tackle since 2013, when he was selected by the Houston Texans in Round 6 in the 2013 NFL Draft. He suffered a foot injury that shut him down in his rookie season. Then, in the summer of his second season, Quessenberry was diagnosed with a very rare form of Lymphoma. Thankfully, the Houston Texans chose an admirable route of retaining Quessenberry on the IR/NFI list for several years. And the willingness of Quessenberry to beat cancer, beat the odds, and beat out competition for a roster spot is itself a very impressive feat.

(3) - Quessenberry has made an NFL career of stepping up when needed

While Quessenberry never truly had an opportunity to play for the Texans, he continued to battle until earning a spot with the Tennessee Titans in 2019. He ultimately rose in the ranks to starter in 2021 with the Titans before signing on with the Buffalo Bills in 2022. Through 2021, Quessenberry had played 1,656 offensive snaps and had started in 23 of the 35 NFL games he had made an appearance.

From that point in his NFL career, he would be a swing-tackle for both the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings, appearing in 49 games but only getting seven starts.

(2) - Quessenberry played for Coach Wendell in 2022

Coaches often bring former players to their new team when the opportunity arises, and Rams OL Coach Ryan Wendell is no exception. He was an Assistant Offensive Line Coach for the Buffalo Bills in 2022 before joining the Rams coaching staff in 2023. But in 2022, the Bills signed David Quessenberry as a depth player. on a one-year contract. Quessenberry would suit up to start three games and 398 offensive snaps. Wendell left to join the Rams in 2023, and Quessenberry left to join the Minnesota Vikings roster in the same year.

As a 6-foot-5, 310-pound veteran, Quessenberry fills the veteran shoes of 6-foot-8, 323-pound Rob Havenstein quite well. The Rams need a player to take over for Havenstein until he is cleared to participate once more.

(1) - Quessenberry saw action against the Rams in Week 8

In his past two seasons, David Quessenberry has filled a backup offensive tackle role for the Minnesota Vikings. And as you may recall, the Vikings' offense is designed by former Rams OC, Kevin O'Connell, from the Rams' blueprints. Quessenberry started four games for the Vikings in 2023, but was only used as a plug-and-play swing tackle for the Vikings if a starter was injured. It was after the injury to starting offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw that forced the Vikings to send in Quessenberry to take up the role.

In that game, Quessenberry struggled at pass-blocking, coming in with a 46.7 pass-blocking grade. He fared much better at run-blocking, coming in with a 65.3 run-blocking grade.

Quessenberry is likely intended to bring a veteran presence to the Rams roster as a low-maintenance, seasoned veteran. He knows the Rams' offensive philosophy. He has played for OL Coach Ryan Wendell in the past. And he knows the NFL right tackle role like the back of his hand. While he could surprise and perform very well for the team in OTAs and training camp, this is likely simply to add a depth piece to a temporarily thin position, while giving the coaches the additional veteran help to mentor younger players.

David Quessenberry is a passionate football player. But sometimes passion, like love, just ain't enough.

As always, thanks for reading.

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