Rob Havenstein Calls It a Career, and the Rams Face a Familiar Question Up Front
For the Los Angeles Rams, the end of an era has quietly arrived. Rob Havenstein, the lone player still on the roster from the team’s 2016 move back to L.A., has decided to retire. And while the announcement didn’t come with fanfare, its impact on the Rams’ offensive line picture is anything but subtle.
Havenstein wasn’t just the last link to the franchise’s St. Louis days-he was a steady, reliable force at right tackle for nearly a decade.
When healthy, he anchored the edge with the kind of consistency that coaches dream about and quarterbacks depend on. But that “when healthy” caveat became more and more relevant in recent years.
Since 2022, Havenstein managed to suit up for just 32 games across three seasons. That’s a tough stretch for any lineman, especially one in his 30s with a long history of trench warfare under his belt.
The Rams gave it one last go, trying to get Havenstein back on the field for the NFC Championship Game. But whether it was a matter of his body not cooperating or the coaching staff leaning into what had been working, he didn’t suit up. That absence seemed to be the final nudge toward retirement.
Warren McClendon Jr. Steps Up
Fortunately for L.A., the offensive line didn’t flinch when Havenstein was sidelined. Warren McClendon Jr., a former swing tackle, stepped into the starting role and handled himself like a pro.
He wasn’t just serviceable-he was solid. The Rams’ O-line, as a whole, turned in a performance this season that gave the offense a real platform to work from.
And McClendon was a big part of that.
But here’s where things get tricky. McClendon came in as a backup, a spot starter who filled a void.
Now, with Havenstein officially out, McClendon becomes the presumed starter. That’s a different role entirely.
Week-in, week-out, 17 games plus (potentially) four more in the postseason-that’s a grind. And it’s one thing to flash in relief; it’s another to hold up over a full season in the NFL trenches.
Les Snead’s Next Move
So now the ball is in Les Snead’s court. The Rams’ general manager has to decide whether McClendon is the long-term answer at right tackle-or if the team needs to bring in a new starter and slide McClendon back into his swing role. Either way, the Rams have to replenish their offensive line depth.
That brings us to the upcoming NFL Draft. In the latest mock, University of Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa was the pick in Round 1.
And for good reason. Mauigoa has all the tools: size, athleticism, technique, and the kind of upside that could make him a Pro Bowler down the line.
He’s the type of player who could step in and start from Day 1, which is exactly what the Rams might need.
But here’s the wrinkle-Snead hasn’t historically prioritized offensive linemen early in the draft. That’s been his M.O. for years.
He tends to find value later on, develop guys, and plug them in when they’re ready. The question is: does Havenstein’s retirement force a shift in that philosophy?
Time to Get More Physical
The league is trending back toward physical, downhill football-especially on defense. If the Rams want to keep pace, they’ll need to keep building a front that can match that intensity.
That might mean investing early in the draft, even if it bucks the usual trend. Because protecting the quarterback and controlling the line of scrimmage is still how games are won in January.
Rob Havenstein’s retirement may have closed a chapter, but it also opens a door. The Rams have a chance to reshape their offensive line for the next era. The question now is: will they take it?