Why 9 winners and 4 losers from Rams victory could start 2nd winning streak

(2) - IOL Jonah Jackson

The Rams foray into the 2024 NFL Free Agency market certainly did not yield the results many fans, coaches, and personnel executives hoped for. The team did not hesitate to spend money with what appeared to be an extensive plan to bolster the team's physicality on offense, and the the defensive secondary. But when the team pivoted from extending former center Coleman Shelton to sign former Detroit Lions' free agent IOL Jonah Jackson, the machinery was set in place to reconfiguring the starting offensive line.

A process that continues through Week 11.

The problem is that Jonah Jackson's natural position is left guard. And as it just so happens, that is the position that second-year IOL Steve Avila mastered in his rookie season. So the team opted to move Avila to center to clear a space for Jackson. But after left tackle Alaric Jackson was injured and suspended for two games, the team opted to restore Avila to left guard, and trial Jackson at center. And then, both Avila and Jackson fell to injury.

Rookie center Beaux Limmer stepped in, and he has played very well. When both Avila and Jonah Jackson returned from IR, Limmer was benched and Jackson took over at center. But Stafford stuggled with a new center. In Week 11, the Rams autocorrected, restoring Limmer to center and benching Jonah Jackson.

The thing is, Jackson has started just three of 10 games. He is unlikely to start another game this season (barring unforeseen injuries). Worst of all, he is earning $51 million over three seasons to sit on the bench.

The front office did get more physical at the center position. But it was not due to veteran Jonah Jackson, who appears to be a veteran who will need to renegotiate his contract or risk ending his relationship with the Rams at season's end.