After spending all four of his NFL seasons with the Detroit Lions, Jonah Jackson, the former Ohio State offensive lineman, is set to embark on a new chapter in free agency. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Jackson has reached an agreement with the Los Angeles Rams. The deal is reported to be a three-year contract worth $51 million, with $34 million guaranteed.
Selected as the 75th overall pick in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Lions, Jackson swiftly established himself as a valuable asset on Detroit’s offensive line. He started as a rookie and appeared in nearly every game throughout his NFL career. In 2022, Jackson’s noteworthy performance earned him a Pro Bowl selection. Additionally, he played a significant role in the Lions’ return to the NFL playoffs last season, marking their first postseason appearance since 2016.
Jonah Jackson, a native of Media, Pennsylvania, had a successful collegiate career both at Rutgers and Ohio State. He started as a two-year starter at Rutgers, playing both guard and center for the Scarlet Knights. In 2017, Jackson started six games at center, and the following year, he started at guard in all 12 games. His performances earned him honorable-mention All-Big Ten recognition from both coaches and the media. With Jackson anchoring the offensive line, Rutgers ranked second in the Big Ten and 19th nationally, allowing just 1.33 sacks per game.
In 2019, Jackson transferred to Ohio State as a graduate transfer. His decision to join the Buckeyes over offers from Oklahoma and Texas was crucial in bolstering their offensive line for the season. Jackson quickly made an impact, becoming the starting left guard for the Buckeyes by the start of the season. He played a crucial role in one of the nation’s top offensive line units, contributing to the success of running back J.K. Dobbins’ record-breaking season and providing protection for Heisman Trophy finalist Justin Fields throughout the year.
In Los Angeles, Jonah Jackson could potentially reunite with his former Ohio State teammate, Jordan Fuller, who currently plays as the starting safety for the Rams. However, it’s worth noting that Fuller is also a free agent this offseason, and reports suggest that the Rams may allow him to test the open market.
The Rams had a surprising 10-7 season in 2023, as they underwent a rebuilding phase after investing heavily in an attempt to win Super Bowl LVI in 2022. Despite the challenges, Los Angeles managed to make it to the playoffs but ultimately fell to Jackson and the Lions in the Wild Card round.
