The Los Angeles Rams have continued to make a crescendo of noise in the 2025 offseason. The roster is playoff-caliber, Matthew Stafford remains one of the league’s sharper veteran passers, and head coach Sean McVay’s system continues to generate production. But there’s one early warning sign that could undercut all of that momentum.
Stafford turns 37 this season. He’s not mobile, and at this stage, and there’s no chance of him reinventing his game. What he still has is elite processing speed, and enough arm to make every throw.
That’s enough to win with in McVay’s system — but only if the offensive line holds up. And “concerns linger” following a strong start of offseason practices.
Growing Uncertainty At Starting Tackle Spots
Right tackle Rob Havenstein has been a steady, reliable piece of the Rams’ protection for nearly a decade. He’s a locker room leader, a plus pass protector, and the kind of lineman you want on the field when games matter.
But this offseason, he’s been sidelined after undergoing procedures on both shoulders, per The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue. He missed OTAs, and while the team is cautiously optimistic he’ll return for training camp, there’s no guarantee he’ll be ready for the opener — or even cleared for full contact by August.
On the left side, the concern is even more serious. Alaric Jackson, who played well in 2024 and appeared to lock down the blind side job, is once again dealing with blood clot complications.
Medical clearance is still up in the air, and the timeline is indefinite. If he can’t go, the Rams are suddenly down both starting tackles before a single preseason snap.
In response, the Rams added DJ Humphries and David Quessenberry — two veterans who bring experience but also major question marks. Humphries, a former starter in Arizona, is coming off a torn ACL and hasn’t played a full, high-level season since 2021.
He’s serviceable if healthy, but he’s not a needle-mover. Quessenberry is a utility lineman who’s bounced around as a backup. He offers positional flexibility but isn’t someone you want in the lineup for a 17-game regular season slate.
Warren McClendon, a second-year tackle from Georgia, is another internal option. But he’s still developing and hasn’t shown enough to suggest he’s ready for starting reps. The Rams didn’t draft a tackle this spring, and that’s starting to look like a real oversight.
The Rams offense is timing-based. McVay schemes for rhythm, precision, and efficiency. That requires a quarterback who can stand tall and trust his line to give him time. Stafford is still capable of dealing at a high level when protected. But pressure changes everything.
What’s Next For Rams?
Los Angeles will likely wait and see how Havenstein and Jackson progress through camp. If one or both are cleared, the panic level drops. But if health questions linger into August, don’t be surprised if Los Angeles is active in the late-summer trade market or waiver wire.
They’ve navigated around the edges of cap flexibility for years. If they think this team can contend, they’ll find a way to reinforce the line.
The good news? The rest of the roster looks solid. The receiving corps is strong. The running game took a step forward last year, and are in the midst of an exciting three-way RB audition featuring Kyren Williams, Blake Corum and rookie Jarquez Hunter. The defense isn’t dominant, but it’s tough, fast, and fundamentally sound.
This team has a path to 10+ wins and a postseason run. The offensive line doesn’t need to be elite — just dependable. Because if Stafford gets time, this offense can still hum. But if protection breaks down? The whole thing falls apart in a hurry.
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