The Los Angeles Rams’ decision to sign offensive tackle D.J. Humphries appears to have been driven by necessity, following uncertainty surrounding starting left tackle Alaric Jackson’s health.
Jackson, one of the few remaining players from the Rams’ 2021 Super Bowl team, is once again dealing with blood clots—an issue he previously faced in 2022. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on June 13 that while the team hopes Jackson will be ready to play in 2025, there are still lingering doubts. This development shed light on why the Rams moved to bring in the veteran Humphries.
Jackson, who turns 27 in July, has been a consistent presence on the offensive line, starting 35 games since the beginning of the 2022 season. However, he’s missed five games since rejoining the starting lineup in 2023.
With 37-year-old quarterback Matthew Stafford leading the offense, protecting him is especially critical. Given Stafford’s reduced mobility and injury history, Jackson’s uncertain status makes depth at the tackle position more important than ever.
Rams Paid Up to Keep Alaric Jackson
Pro Football Focus ranked Jackson as the 18th-best offensive tackle overall, placing him 19th in run blocking and 23rd in pass protection. Among Rams offensive linemen, he led the team in all three categories—ranking first, third, and first respectively.
What raises further concern for Los Angeles is the substantial investment they made in Jackson this past offseason, signing him to a three-year, \$57.7 million deal that includes \$30 million guaranteed.
The earliest realistic chance the Rams have to part ways with Jackson comes in 2027. Before that, releasing him would offer minimal cap relief—\$6.8 million at most in 2026—but would come with a hefty \$18 million dead cap hit. Cutting him earlier would cost the team \$20 million in dead cap, though his contract may contain clauses that offer protection if injuries occur.
Per Over The Cap, Jackson’s deal ranks 11th in guaranteed money among all left tackles and sits 12th in both total and average annual value.
Committing top-12 money to a player just outside the position’s elite tier highlights the weight of the Rams’ decision. It helps explain why the team has begun looking externally—bringing in options like veteran David Quessenberry and considering in-house talent such as Warren McClendon Jr.—despite Jackson still being on the roster.
Rams Announce D.J. Humphries
As is often the case, news of D.J. Humphries joining the Rams surfaced before it was officially confirmed—even before word got out about Alaric Jackson’s injury concerns. The Rams formally addressed the signing on June 13, announcing on X:
“We have signed OL D.J. Humphries to a 1-year deal.”
Humphries, 31, brings experience and reliability, having started all 100 games he’s played in over his nine-year NFL career—most of it with the Rams’ division rival, the Arizona Cardinals. He spent the 2024 season with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he started two games.
Details of Humphries’ contract have not yet been made public. According to Over The Cap, the Rams had \$19.4 million in available cap space prior to this move, though that figure will be adjusted once the deal is officially accounted for.
