The Rams are trusting David Quessenberry to tide them through uncertainty

The Los Angeles Rams boasted one of the NFL's best offensive lines in 2025. In many ways, Matthew Stafford's MVP season was only made possible by the outstanding performance of ten linemen, both the starters and their backups, all of whom had a hand in securing the pocket.

But 2026 is a new season. Veteran Rob Havenstein is retired. Part-time starting interior lineman Justin Dedich is already injured. And the uncertainty surrounding starting left tackle Alaric Jackson's availability seems to be an annual event.

Thankfully, Los Angeles has options. But no one expected to find David Quessenberry, one of the Rams' more obscure reserves, at center stage. With Jackson undergoing routine medical treatment for a blood-clotting condition, the team promoted Quessenberry to the starting ranks during practice earlier this week.

Rams default to Quessenberry to anchor practice

When the Rams strategized for the 2025 season, they admittedly had to include contingency plans for the uncertainty at both offensive tackle spots. Havenstein's age had caught up to him, and his body was falling behind the physical tolls of starting week in, week out.

Meanwhile, Jackson continued to fight through a medical issue that would have ended the NFL career of lesser men.

As a result, the team signed veterans Quessenberry and DJ Humphries in the offseason. While Quessenberry battled with swing tackle Warren McClendon Jr, for the right to start on the right side, Humphries struggled on the left. Thankfully, Alaric Jackson returned just in time to start the season.

The Rams re-signed Quessenberry to a one-year deal for 2026. And that seems to have been a very wise move. It's the veteran, and not rookie offensive tackle Keagen Trost, who is getting snaps at left tackle early in camp.

That's not a slight on Trost. It's just a fact that Los Angeles hesitates to place rookies in a position to fail until they demonstrate the ability to handle the required responsibilities.

Jackson will be back at some point. But in the interim, the offensive line can rely on Quessenberry to deliver consistently in practice. Meanwhile, unresolved strain on the depth chart will quickly force the Rams to explore additional options up and down the roster.

As always, thanks for reading.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow