Rob Havenstein has been one of the pillars of the Los Angeles Rams organization since their move West back in 2016. He is the longest-tenured player in the franchise, and the lone Ram who played in St. Louis. He was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the 2015 NFL Draft and was immediately placed as the starter on the right side of the offensive line.
The Rams fell to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game, their second consecutive year giving the eventual Super Bowl champs their hardest postseason contest. Havenstein, though, was not on the field. He was nursing an ankle injury that held him out for most of the 2025 season. He played in seven games, the fewest in a season in his NFL career.
So it’s not too surprising that, on Tuesday, Havenstein took to Instagram to announce that he is retiring from professional football:
Havenstein left a message to the Rams organization and fans:
11 years, 150+ starts, 4 time captain, 4 NFC West Championships, 2 NFC Championships and 1x Super Bowl Champion. What a ride it’s been! I can look back on my career and smile knowing I have given everything I had and more to the game I love.
In saying that, I am officially retiring from the NFL.
Thank you to all my teammates, coaches, and fans who have supported me and helped me over these past 11 years. I have had the time of my life with the Los Angeles Rams (formerly known as the St. Louis Rams) and can’t thank the whole organization enough for giving me a shot back in 2015. Although some in the organization weren’t totally convinced. 😎
Also I need to thank my wonderful wife @meghavenstein for being by my side the entire way. The support you have given me over the years can’t be put into words. But I see it every time I look at our 3 beautiful daughter’s faces. Love you always.
Mom and Dad, from when I picked up the game freshman year at Linganore, through my time at the University of Wisconsin, and still to this day you have supported me in every venture of life. I can’t thank you enough.
As this chapter ends, I couldn’t be more grateful, hopeful, and excited to see what comes next!
With Love!
Rob
Havenstein is turning 34 prior to the start of the 2026 season, and after an injury-plagued campaign, calls it a career. The Super Bowl champ was a model of consistency for the Rams, and will be hard to replace.
What’s next for the Rams after Rob Havenstein retirement
Warren McClendon Jr., the 24-year-old fifth-round pick, started 10 games in Havenstein’s place this season, and could very well be the starter for the Rams at the position next year. He built momentum and had a strong finish to the season at right tackle, and has one more year on his rookie deal.
However, the Rams have two first-round picks this NFL Draft, and could easily use one of those to land one of the top tackles in the draft. L.A. is right in range to select Utah’s Spencer Fano or Caleb Lomu, Clemson’s Blake Miller or could trade up to select Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor.