The NFL suspended Los Angeles Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson, a former Iowa Hawkeyes standout, for two games without pay on Tuesday after he struck Buffalo Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb in the face following Monday night's overtime game at SoFi Stadium.
The suspension, announced one day after the Bills' 37-34 overtime win, means Jackson will miss the Rams' upcoming games against Arizona and Las Vegas unless his planned appeal succeeds. Rams coach Sean McVay told reporters Jackson will fight the league's ruling, according to AP NEWS.
What Happened After Monday Night's Game
The confrontation unfolded in the moments after the final whistle. According to the league's announcement, Jackson was doing a jersey swap with another Bills player when Chubb exchanged words with him and walked away. Jackson followed, confronted Chubb, and threw a strike that knocked Chubb's hat off his head. Teammates quickly separated the two.
In its announcement, the NFL called the blow ``an act of unsportsmanlike conduct.`` ESPN confirmed the two-game ban and reported that Jackson's appeal is expected to be heard quickly.
McVay did not defend the punch, but he made clear he wants the full picture before passing final judgment.
``Have to make better decisions than that,`` McVay said. ``I spoke with him. We'll keep that in-house. ... I want to understand the totality of the situation. I'm not condoning by any means, but I want to gather all the information.``
From Iowa City to Protecting Matthew Stafford's Blind Side
For Iowa fans, the suspension stings because Jackson is one of the program's best NFL success stories. The Canadian-American dual citizen went undrafted out of Iowa and scratched his way onto the Rams roster, eventually earning a Super Bowl ring as a backup lineman in February 2022.
He has since become a fixture in Los Angeles, starting at left tackle for four seasons and protecting quarterback Matthew Stafford's blind side. The Rams showed their confidence in February 2025 by re-signing him to a three-year, $57 million contract.
That investment now looks shakier. Jackson's absence leaves the Rams without a proven backup at the most important position on the offensive line, and the timing could hardly be worse for a team chasing a division title.
A Growing Pattern of Off-Field Trouble
Monday night was not the first time Jackson's decisions have cost him. He was arrested on June 9 on suspicion of felony domestic violence after a confrontation with a woman at his home in the San Fernando Valley. His case was assigned to a prefiling diversion program that likely allows him to avoid criminal charges, but the NFL has not yet announced whether that incident will bring league discipline.
In 2025, a woman sued Jackson, alleging he recorded sexual acts with her on his phone without her consent. That incident was not publicly known until the lawsuit was filed, and it had already led to a two-game suspension at the start of the 2024 season for an undisclosed violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy.
For a player who fought his way from undrafted free agency to a $57 million deal, the repeated lapses raise a fair question about whether the Rams can keep counting on him.
Who Steps In While Jackson Sits
McVay said David Quessenberry will start at left tackle during Jackson's absence. It is a thin solution. The 36-year-old veteran has played only 128 offensive snaps over the past two seasons and has not started an NFL game since 2023.
Quessenberry took just 10 offensive snaps for the Rams last season and none so far this year. When Jackson missed one game last season, the Rams turned to a relatively new signee, DJ Humphries, instead. Quessenberry's only full season as an NFL starter came with Tennessee in 2021.
Rookie Keagen Trost, another possible backup tackle, has spent the entire season on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. McVay said the Rams are hopeful Trost will be in game shape soon.
Why It Matters Beyond Los Angeles
Jackson's fall from starter to suspended player is a cautionary tale about squandered opportunity, and it lands hard in a state that watched him develop in Iowa City. Hawkeyes fans have followed his rise with pride, from undrafted long shot to Super Bowl champion to one of the NFL's highest-paid left tackles.
The Rams, meanwhile, must now survive two division-heavy games with a 36-year-old journeyman protecting Stafford's blind side. If Quessenberry falters and the pass protection crumbles, a season with legitimate playoff hopes could slip away in a hurry.
Jackson's appeal has no announced timeline yet. The NFL also has not ruled on possible discipline from his June arrest, which means more bad news could still be coming for the former Hawkeye.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Alaric Jackson suspended?
The NFL suspended Jackson two games without pay for striking Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb in the face after Monday night's overtime game, calling it an act of unsportsmanlike conduct.
Will Alaric Jackson appeal the suspension?
Yes. Rams coach Sean McVay said Jackson will appeal the league's ruling.
Where did Alaric Jackson play college football?
Jackson played at the University of Iowa and entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent before becoming the Rams' starting left tackle.
Which games will Alaric Jackson miss?
Jackson is slated to miss the Rams' games against Arizona and Las Vegas, pending the outcome of his appeal.