The Detroit Lions made a nice offer to Jonah Jackson when the offensive lineman hit free agency earlier this year. Jackson opted to chase some extra dollars and fled for the Los Angeles Rams instead.
That decision is looking terrible for both Jackson and the Rams already. Jackson has played in just three games thanks to a shoulder injury, and he’s not playing well when he’s been on the field. In fact, the Rams have now benched Jackson in favor of rookie Beaux Limmer.
Rams coach Sean McVay pulled the plug on Jackson as the Rams starting center in Week 11, turning to the sixth-round rookie from Arkansas over the $51 million man in Jackson. To be fair to the former Lions’ third-rounder, Jackson is a natural guard and played that in Detroit. But he’s not beaten out Steve Avila or Kevin Dotson at the guard spots in Los Angeles despite the Rams scrambling to find healthy bodies at tackle.
The Rams are 5-5, tied with the 49ers and Seahawks in the NFC West behind the 6-4 Arizona Cardinals. Meanwhile, the Lions are 9-1 and replaced Jackson with Pro Bowl veteran Kevin Zeitler, who is earning $6 million in 2024. Their PFF scores through Week 11:
Zeitler: 87.8
Jackson: 53.4
Good call by Lions GM Brad Holmes on letting Jackson walk and chase the money. Detroit saved money and got a better player.