Rob Havenstein doesn’t usually get mentioned as a premier offensive tackle, but he’s certainly become one in the last five years since getting locked in on the right side. After a strong 2017 campaign, the Rams rewarded him with a four-year, $32.5 million deal before the 2018 season.
It seemed early to sign him to an extension since he still had one year left on his contract, but it’s turned out to be a brilliant move.
Now in the last year of his contract, Havenstein’s deal looks like a bargain. According to Pro Football Focus, it’s the fifth-best contract in the NFL entering 2022. Here’s part of what Brad Spielberger wrote about Havenstein.
The Rams have consistently demonstrated a willingness to negotiate with players despite several years remaining on their contracts, and Havenstein would make sense as the next man up for a new deal. Left tackle Joseph Noteboom, set to replace Andrew Whitworth in 2022, signed a three-year, $40 million extension deal earlier this offseason with 1,373 career snaps to his name. Havenstein played 1,236 snaps in 2021 alone at a very high level, and while he plays on the right side, his new deal should be closer to Noteboom’s annual value.
The Rams will have a decision to make after this season when it comes to Havenstein’s contract because he’s a very valuable player, but they also have younger (and cheaper) players waiting to take over – like Bobby Evans, Alaric Jackson and A.J. Arcuri.
If they do choose to extend Havenstein, he’ll almost certainly cost more than $8 million per year like he’s making on his current deal. Still only 30 years old, Havenstein has plenty of good football left in him, too.
