One year ago, if anyone had asked the Los Angeles Rams what position they would need to address during the 2026 offseason, many would have said right tackle. Wh
Dec 7, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford celebrates a touchdown with offensive lineman Warren McClendon Jr. and Kevin Dotson against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images One year ago, if anyone had asked the Los Angeles Rams what position they would need to address during the 2026 offseason, many would have said right tackle. While Rob Havenstein had held down the right side for a decade, it was always thought that retirement was a possibility.
When WarrenMcClendon began the 2025 season as Havenstein’s backup, but after his first start in Week 5, it was obvious who the better player was at that point. The Rams went back to Havenstein, but McClendon finished the year and solidified his spot at right tackle. McClendon finished the year as the seventh-best tackle via PFF with an overall grade of 83.5. His 86.7 grade as a run blocker ranked fifth among qualifying tackles.
From a statistical standpoint, Warren McClendon Jr. has quietly been one of the best offensive tackles in pass protection this season. Among OTs with 200+ snaps, he's allowed the lowest pressure rate and is tied for the lowest sack rate allowed . Prior to the NFL Draft, many thought that the Rams may take a tackle in the first round. Even if that player didn’t start, it was at least competition and insurance behind McClendon.
However, the RamsOne reason given for going back to Havenstein is his experience/communication on the OL. McClendon displays good communication here. Signals to Dotson that his guy is coming inside. They're able to pass off the stunt.
One of the more important things on the offensive line is each player being able to communicate with one another. This is a big reason why McClendon had so much success at right tackle next to Kevin Dotson. In the play above, he’s able to communicate with Dotson and pass off the stunt inside. One thing that is noticeable is how strong McClendon is in the run game..
Over the past two years, Dotson and Havenstein have been special on the right side working together. McClendon stepped in and the run game didn’t miss a beat. As mentioned, he finished the year as the fifth-best run-blocking offensive tackle via PFF.. KDot and McClendon doing work on the right side of the Rams OL.
Stafford couldn't place this ball any better. Over one defender and between two others. Puka with another fantastic grab. Where McClendon showed a lot of improvement was in pass protection.
While the Rams sometimes helped him with a tight end, his 12 pressures allowed were the fewest in the NFL. He also had a 98.3 pass-blocking efficiency which was second behind Garrett Bolles. McClendon’s level dropped a little bit in the playoffs, but during the regular season, he was fantastic. For as much as some would like to say that McClendon is the right tackle of the future, this is still a prove-it year for him.
The Rams didn’t sign McClendon to an extension this offseason. If he plays well in 2026, the Rams could look to bring him back long-term.
However, with McClendon on the final year of his rookie deal, he’ll need to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke. The expectation for McClendon heading into 2026 is that he picks up where he left off. He won’t need to be perfect, but he’ll need to continue to show that he can be reliable on the right side. The Rams could have signed or drafted a replacement and kept McClendon as depth, but chose not to.
McClendon’s role could change depending on what happens with Alaric Jackson, but for now, he heads into the year as the team’s starting right tackle. As McClendon heads into the summer as the starting right tackle for the Rams, he will be a lock to make the roster. Blaine Grisak is the Lead Publisher for Rams on SI covering the Los Angeles Rams.
Prior to joining On Sports Illustrated, he covered the Rams for TurfShow Times, attending events such as the NFL Draft, NFL Combine, and Senior Bowl. A graduate of Northeastern University, Blaine grew up in Montana.
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