The offseason move the Rams need not make
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 25: Warren McClendon Jr. #71 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during the national anthem prior to an NFC Championship NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on January 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesOne 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.
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's days in St. Louis, Havenstein is easily one of the most important Rams since their relocation by to Los Angeles.
And it's for those reasons why McClendon is found money for this team.
In the absence of long time veteran Rob Havenstein, Warren McClendon Jr has emerged as a breakout player on the offensive line
- RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) January 9, 2026
McClendon allowed fewer than 3 QB hits and finished the season ranking 5th in Run Blocking Grade (86.7) among all Tackles
The future is bright for #71 pic.twitter.com/vfdif7Hj6g
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's impossible to know what the alternatives are in free agency or the draft until after the mystery box is opened.
Instead LA knows exactly who will be their right tackle in 2026, and they may have one of the best in all of football.
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's eighth-best player. Alaric Jackson, LA's left tackle, ranks 11th with the same thresholds. McClendon was the fifth-best run blocking tackle in all of football.
It cannot be overstated how important McClendon's emergence was to the Rams' 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:
- Penei Sewell, Lions: $28.0M annual average
- Lane Johnson, Eagles: $25.0M
- Zach Tom, Packers: $22.0M
- Taylor Moton, Panthers: $22.0M
- Jawaan Taylor, Chiefs: $20.0M
- Michael Onwenu, Patriots: $19.0M
- Tytus Howard, Texans: $18.7M
- Brian O'Neill, Vikings: $18.5M
- Spencer Brown, Bills: $18.0M
- Mike McGlinchey, Broncos: $17.5M
- Terence Steel, Cowboys: $16.5M
- Abraham Lucas, Seahawks: $15.3M
- Kaleb McGary, Falcons: $15.0M
- Austin Jackson, Dolphins: $12.0M
- Rob Havenstein: $11.5M
- No other players over $10M average annual value
If the Rams are scared of extending McClendon this offseason, he may only have a fellow teammate to blame. LA may not want to risk another early extension after watching the extraordinary falloff of Nate Landman this year. Landman's production and performance tanked almost immediately after putting pen to paper on his new contract.
Still, smart teams pay players early. The arrow on NFL contracts only points up. There is merit to beating the market to the punch, although the Rams may now be trigger shy.
I don't think there's harm in waiting to see McClendon pick up in 2026 where he left off, and then rewarding him once he proves he can be successful once again.
The Rams should enjoy the bargain they've found in McClendon this offseason and then consider extending him during the regular season next year.