Poona Ford and Alaric Jackson contracts among 'biggest bargains' of free agency
The Los Angeles Rams made several moves during the first waves of free agency this offseason. Most of the signings revolved around bringing back contributors from 2024 — namely, Matthew Stafford, Alaric Jackson and Tutu Atwell — but the Rams also added outside names like Poona Ford and Davante Adams.
Los Angeles wasn't frugal in its spending, but two of the moves the Rams made were seen as huge bargains by The Sporting News' Dan Treacy. After looking through the biggest signings of free agency, Treacy named the Ford and Jackson deals as the money well spent for Los Angeles.
Ford signed a three-year, $27.6 million deal with just a $5.1 million cap hit in 2025. He will immediately become the Rams' starting interior defensive lineman alongside Kobie Turner.
"Ford had a really nice year with the Chargers in 2024, starting all 17 games and tying a career-high with eight tackles for loss. He received a stellar 85.1 grade from Pro Football Focus in Jesse Minter's defense," Treacy wrote. "The Rams know how to get the most out of defensive linemen, including Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske. Putting a veteran in Ford alongside Turner and Fiske for just barely more than $9 million annually is a great deal for GM Les Snead."
Jackson, meanwhile, re-signed with the Rams on a three-year, $57 million deal. However, it's basically just a two-year, $30 million deal. He will remain Stafford's left tackle. Treacy added Jackson as an "honorable mention."
"The Rams did well to lock up OT Alaric Jackson before the start of free agency, as he received one fewer year and $1.25 million less annually than Dan Moore did from the Titans," Treacy wrote. "Jackson helped stabilize L.A.'s offensive line when he stepped into a starting role in 2023."
These moves shored up the trenches for the Rams as the team looks to defend its NFC West title and return to the playoffs. Stafford's return is the biggest deal of L.A.'s offseason, but these cost-efficient decisions ensure continuity on both sides of the ball.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 2 Rams signings among 'biggest bargains' of free agency
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