One of the most underappreciated storylines across the 2025 season for the Los Angeles Rams was the emergency of right tackle Warren McClendon. The Rams hit the jackpot and just saved themselves a ton of salary cap space.<\/p>\n
A year ago at this time, Los Angeles was staring down the barrel of Rob Havenstein either retiring, leaving in free agency, or putting his hand out for another contract extension. Havenstein was the locker room leader on the offensive line and took on an outsized role after the 2022 retirement of Andrew Whitworth. As one of the final remaining members of the team\u2019s days in St. Louis, Havenstein is easily one of the most important Rams since their relocation by to Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
And it\u2019s for those reasons why McClendon is found money for this team.<\/p>\n
The Rams were going to have a (huge) hole at right tackle. Renewing their commitment to Havenstein would have been risky as the veteran is soon to turn 34. Moving on would have been arguably more risky, as it\u2019s impossible to know what the alternatives are in free agency or the draft until after the mystery box is opened.<\/p>\n
Instead LA knows exactly who will be their right tackle in 2026, and they may have one of the best in all of football.<\/p>\n
If we narrow Pro Football Focus (PFF) data down to all tackles with at least 581 regular season snaps, McClendon is tied for the outlet\u2019s eighth-best player. Alaric Jackson, LA\u2019s left tackle, ranks 11th with the same thresholds. McClendon was the fifth-best run blocking tackle in all of football.<\/p>\n
It cannot be overstated how important McClendon\u2019s emergence was to the Rams\u2019 offseason plan. While they may have sizeable holes at corner and receiver, they no longer need to pay up to patch the right side of their offensive line. Just for comparison, these are the highest paid right tackles. With McClendon still on his rookie contract, the Rams save nearly 100% of these values:<\/p>\n
Hopes for a contract extension?<\/p>\n