Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has a reputation as one of the better leaders in the league due to his toughness and ability to command a huddle.
One person who is aware of that is new Rams left guard Jonah Jackson, who came from the Detroit Lions and was a teammate of Stafford’s during his rookie season.
When discussing the reasons he chose to sign with the Rams in free agency this offseason, Stafford immediately came to mind for Jackson.
“I had some familiarity with (QB) (Matthew) Stafford. I had him my rookie year and I’ve seen the pieces to the puzzle, the ability to possibly make it all the way and I definitely wanted to be a part of something like that,” Jackson said.
Jackson added that they actually had a nickname for Stafford in Detroit and he is excited to be back protecting him once again.
“In Detroit, we called him ‘the Wizard.’ He could figure it all out and he can make anything happen. I’m excited to be able to protect him and let him make us look good and make plays happen.”
Everyone knows Stafford for his toughness at the quarterback position, but his mind and ability to manipulate a defense are very underrated parts of his game. Couple that with an offensive genius in head coach Sean McVay calling plays, and signing with the Rams was an easy decision for Jackson.
“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.”
With the addition of Jackson, the Rams should have one of the better offensive lines in the league, particularly on the interior with him, Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson. That should help keep Stafford upright in 2024 as the Rams get back to being a run-first offense, which should do wonders for the 36-year-old signal caller.
Rams to have joint practices with Texans in training camp
Considering McVay typically doesn’t play his starters in the preseason, the first opportunity that Jackson will have to protect Stafford will come in the form of joint practices during training camp with the Rams expected to participate in them with the Houston Texans.
