Beaux Limmer was the eighth center out of 12 taken in the 2024 NFL Draft. He played the third-most snaps.

Early injuries to interior offensive linemen Jonah Jackson and Steve Avila thrust Limmer into the starting lineup from Weeks 2-9. Jackson came back in Week 10, but that game featured 15 pressures allowed, via Next Gen Stats, tied for the Rams' third-most of the regular season.

Jackson's injuries made it difficult to succeed and find his footing in a different position (moving from guard to center) on a new team in 2024. So in Week 11, Limmer was inserted back into the starting lineup to retain continuity, and he never looked back.

"He had a lot of opportunities that otherwise wouldn't necessarily be allotted to a guy in terms of what you said his projected role might be," said head coach Sean McVay after Limmer returned to the lineup in Week 11. "He's just answered the bell and he's continuing to learn. There's a lot of communication that's required at that spot. I think he has a big-picture understanding and the game makes sense to him."

Limmer's consistent improvement throughout the year united the offensive line, creating continuity and clear communication that proved valuable throughout the season. Among the 28 qualified centers who allowed two sacks or less during 2024 (regular season and playoffs), Limmer played the 10th-most snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Rams' offensive line committed the fewest penalties per game in the NFL (5.35), which is a testament to the connection he helped facilitate.

Stats (via Pro Football Focus)

All stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus. Blocking efficiency is defined as snaps without a pressure allowed divided by total snaps (* = best among Rams starters).

Mid-season emergence

Limmer didn't just win the starting job from any player. He earned it over a 2024 veteran free agent signing in Jackson who had been signed to a lucrative three-year deal. Jackson's injuries had a great deal to do with that – extended time without practice or live game reps both in training camp and the regular season can make it difficult for any player to get back into the flow of things. Still, it took a combination of skill and coachability from Limmer that not many people have command over early in their career.

The center position, above all, is about putting the offensive line as a whole in a position to succeed. The fact that McVay and the coaching staff thought he was in a better position to do that than a veteran like Jackson was indicative of his abilities, both physically and mentally.

"(Playing center is) always about the group," McVay said. "The one thing is, it's not about individual operating entities. These are five guys that have to work in concert together, especially as it relates to center-guard, guard-tackle, and across-the-board based on certain things that come up. I thought he steadied it and I thought he did a nice job (against New England)."

After he was inserted into the lineup in Week 2, Limmer said that reps would be the most important thing for him to gain confidence moving forward. That became obvious as the season progressed. There were momentary lapses, as there are with all rookies, but Limmer did his job at a high level and always deferred to veteran leadership.

Limmer worked closely with quarterback Matthew Stafford and right tackle Rob Havenstein to refine his vision and calls. To achieve that McVay said he could "take hard coaching" and apply it to his game quickly.

Every week brought smoother rapport with Stafford and his fellow linemen. An integral part of that evolution was the guidance of offensive line coach, and former NFL center, Ryan Wendell.

"Being a center himself, he has that experience in what Beaux is having to deal with and all of our centers," Stafford said after Limmer returned to the lineup in Week 11. "I think (Wendell) does a hell of a job getting them ready. Then on game day, you can't be out there thinking. You have to go out there, cut it loose, trust yourself and trust the guys around you. I think all our guys did a really nice job of that last week. We'll look to carry that over into this week."

And carry that over they did. From Weeks 14-17, the Rams didn't allow a single sack, helping them complete a five-game win streak that would clinch the NFC West for Los Angeles. The entire offensive line deserves credit for that effort, but Limmer's role as the center was integral to the unit's progressive success throughout the year.

The center position was shuffled between Avila in the offseason, Jackson in training camp and then eventually went to Limmer due to injuries. Those changes didn't lend Stafford a lot of opportunities to become comfortable with his snapper. That relationship is an important one, especially for a quarterback like Stafford who often changes calls and protections at the line. So, Limmer's ability to learn and adapt on the fly was huge for L.A. down the stretch.

"I think every week the experiences that he's going through, whether it be on the practice field or more importantly on Sundays," said offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. "(He's) taking those things that he's learning, applying them and making sure that things are just happening smoother, quicker and more decisive."