The 2023 season showed that Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay could reinvent himself and the offense.
After spending years focusing on the passing game, McVay went back to the drawing board and installed a more physical system that leaned heavily on the run game. The gap schemes that McVay implemented were only possible with a stronger offensive line and they delivered.
Los Angeles got strong play from Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson, and they doubled down on their O-line when they signed former Detroit Lions guard Jonah Jackson to a three-year deal in free agency.
Shortly after his signing was made official, Jackson described what it means to be a member of the Rams. “It means a lot. It’s such a prestigious place and there’s a lot of history to this and it’s a great team. I’m elated and excited to just be a part of this program and just contribute as much as I can.”
Jackson also detailed what the start of free agency was like for him and how the deal with Los Angeles came about.
“Actually, me and my wife, we were just sitting at home and like I guess 12 o’clock hit. We thought it was going to be like immediate mayhem and kind of sat there for like 45 minutes and my agent was calling me. He was like, ‘What do you think of Los Angeles?’ And I was like, ‘That doesn’t sound too shabby.’
“And we talked about it and it sounded like the right move, good weather, good place to be, good winning culture, great staff, and everything overall was just a plus so we couldn’t deny that.”
Lastly, Jackson explained how he was able to come to a decision so quickly. “It’s pretty crazy just the amount of time you have. I’ve been on the outside looking in at this place for a while, so I kind of had a general idea of what’s going on and a lot of familiarity within our building. Like (Lions General Manager and former Rams Director of College Scouting) Brad Holmes, he was from here so I kind of got a feel of the people that they’ve been around and how they run things so I kind of got a good feel about how it’d be here.”
Jackson will most likely slot in at left guard while Steve Avila slides to center in place of Coleman Shelton. With Jackson on board, the Rams have one of the best offensive lines on paper.
Jonah Jackson gives outsider’s perspective on Rams organization
As the new guy L.A., Jacks was able to provide an outsider’s perspective of the organization. “You just see it from the outside. You see the quarterback. He’s second to none. The pieces to the puzzle are just incredible. And then you see Coach McVay and how they run things. It’s an approachable place you feel. And you feel like it’s somewhere you can get settled in pretty fast and that’s why I felt like it was a good fit for me.”
Jackson sounds genuinely excited to be with the Rams and should be a huge part of their resurgence.
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