The Los Angeles Rams should not treat the offensive tackle situation like a problem for August. If there is legitimate concern that a suspension could impact starting left tackle Alaric Jackson, then the time to add insurance is now—not after training camp. Jackson’s recent legal situation has created uncertainty around his availability entering the season, even though no league discipline has been announced at this time.
The argument is not necessarily that Lewan must start at left tackle in Week
1. The argument is that the Rams cannot allow themselves to enter a season with Super Bowl expectations with hope as their contingency plan.
This roster is built to compete immediately. Matthew Stafford remains in win-now mode. Myles Garrett was brought in to elevate championship expectations. Les Snead and Sean McVay have consistently shown they are willing to make aggressive moves when the roster is close.
Offensive tackle depth should be treated the same way.
If Jackson avoids suspension and is available, the acquisition of Lewan still works. Jackson has experience moving around the line during his career, and either Jackson or Lewan could compete at right tackle depending on health, performance, and lineup construction. That would allow Warren McClendon Jr. to slide into what may be his best role right now: swing tackle and top reserve.
That is a stronger roster structure.
Left tackle: Jackson or Lewan
Right tackle: Jackson or Lewan
Swing tackle: McClendon
That is considerably more stable than leaning on emergency options. We saw what happened when Alaric Jackson missed a game when the Rams played the Atlanta Falcons last year.
Because the reality is this: the Rams cannot afford to gamble a Super Bowl-caliber season on needing AJ Arcuri or someone of equal caliber to suddenly become a long-term blindside protector. Arcuri has remained in the organization as developmental depth and has very limited NFL game experience. Depth players have value—but asking one to protect Stafford for a month or more is a completely different assignment.
And the Rams may not have the luxury of waiting. Other tackle-needy teams around the league could reasonably explore veteran options over the summer if injuries occur or competitions fail. Clubs with unsettled left tackle outlooks or aging tackle rooms often emerge quickly once camp opens, which means waiting could shrink the market.
The Rams learned in 2022, 2024, and 2025 that offensive line depth can completely alter a season’s trajectory.
If Los Angeles believes Lewan still has football left, acting sooner rather than later may be the difference between adding a premium insurance policy—or entering the season hoping they never need one.
