RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 2: Warren McClendon Jr. #71 of the Los Angeles Rams stands on the sidelines during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium on October 02, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Last season Warren McClendon took the Los Angeles Rams’ right tackle job away from entrenched veteran Rob Havenstein in Week 12 and never looked back.
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Warren ranked 15th among all tackles with at least 647 blocking snaps. Considering every team needs two starting tackles, that squarely puts him in the top 10 of his position.
McClendon finished with PFF grades in the following facets followed by tackle peer rankings:
Offensive grade: 78.7 (15th)
Run blocking grade: 81.9 (13th)
Pass blocking grade: 69.1 (35th)
With the Rams reporting to training camp over the weekend, McClendon enters the season as the starter for the first time in his career. It’s realistic to think there is room for improvement, and McClendon may even ascend to Pro Bowl considerations in 2026.
Still, there is a clear gap between the best tackles in football and McClendon—even if the young tackle has already established himself among the upper echelon. The Rams will need to make the difficult decision to either extend McClendon’s contract and retain his services for 2027 or beyond or take on the improbable task of replacing a player top 10 at his position.
2026 isn’t necessarily a “make or break” year for McClendon. It still is a “prove it” season where he must sustain his level of production if not take a noticeable step forward.
The Rams have plenty of other difficult contract decisions on the horizon, including but not limited to the following:
Puka Nacua
Kobie Turner
Byron Young
Kevin Dotson
Steve Avila
Alaric Jackson
Colby Parkinson
And if McClendon finds that the Rams intend to allocate their salary cap resources elsewhere, he could realistically enter free agency at age 26 and be the top-billed tackle to hit the market. Young, capable tackles rarely every change hands. There will be plenty of suitors if Los Angeles is not McClendon’s long-term home.
McClendon took the Rams by surprised and usurped long-term start Rob Havenstein. He enters his first season as a full-time starter with room to grow from a production standpoint. That only complicates a tough contract dilemma and escalates his price tag.
McClendon has Pro Bowl pedigree. Will he outplay his chances to remain in Los Angeles?
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