Story by
Jonah Jackson exits Detroit Lions to sign with Los Angeles Rams, protect Matthew Stafford
- Story by
- Jonah Jackson exits Detroit Lions to sign with Los Angeles Rams, protect Matthew Stafford
Jonah Jackson got his payday, and it wasn't with the Detroit Lions .
Jackson, the Lions' top free agent this offseason , agreed to a three-year, $51 million deal with the Los Angeles Rams on Monday, that makes him one of the highest-paid guards in the NFL
Advertisement
In Los Angeles , Jackson, 27, will protect former Lions teammate Matthew Stafford as part of a refortified offensive front. The Rams re-signed right guard Kevin Dotson to a three-year, $48 million deal last week.
Jackson was a Lions third-round pick out of Ohio State in 2020, and started all 57 games he played in over the past four seasons. He made the Pro Bowl in 2021, but missed nine regular season games with an assortment of injuries across the past two years.
TRENDING: Lions' NFL free agency rumor tracker: Latest updates and analysis
Detroit Lions guard Jonah Jackson warms up before the Denver Broncos game at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.
Jackson's departure means the Lions will return four-fifths of one of the NFL's best offensive lines this fall. Right guard Graham Glasgow agreed to a three-year, $20 million contract before the start of the free agent negotiating period Monday, and tackles Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell and center Frank Ragnow are signed through at least 2024.
Advertisement
The Lions have two potential in-house replacements for Jackson in second-year lineman Colby Sorsdal and exclusive rights free agent Kayode Awosika , or could look to fill the vacancy through free agency or the draft .
Awosika started three regular season games for the Lions last season and the team's NFC championship game loss to the San Francisco 49ers , when Jackson was out with a knee injury.
ANALYSIS: Lions GM Brad Holmes needs a better plan at CB than re-signing Emmanuel Moseley
The Lions entered Monday with more than $40 million in available cap space, and have the 29th pick in the first round . Robert Hunt, Michael Onwenu , Dalton Risner and Kevin Zeitler are among the top remaining interior line free agents .
Advertisement
Players are free to sign with new teams starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
NFL Network was first to report the terms of Jackson's new contract.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com . Follow him @davebirkett .
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Jonah Jackson leaving Detroit Lions to sign with Los Angeles Rams
