The last time left guard Rodger Saffold was a free agent, he planned on signing with the Raiders.
In fact, he and Oakland had a lucrative deal in place for five years in March of 2014. But the Raiders said they had concerns about Saffold's shoulder, and the agreement unraveled. So the Rams brought Saffold back on their own five-year contract.
While Saffold had moved around the Rams' offensive line for much of his career — especially late in the 2016 season — he's settled in at left guard under head coach Sean McVay and excelled at that spot over the last two years. Saffold was a first-alternate to the 2019 Pro Bowl after a particularly strong 2018 season, where he helped the Rams reach No. 2 in total offense and No. 3 in rushing.
Saffold has particularly excelled blocking in space on screens, using his athleticism to pave the way for players like running back Todd Gurley to gain chunk yardage down the field.
But the five years on Saffold's second contract with the Rams have run their course, which means the veteran offensive lineman is slated to become an unrestricted free agent when the new league year hits on March 13.
Saffold was clear after the conclusion of Los Angeles' playoff run that he would like to return to the club next season.
"Of course," he replied when asked if he'd like to be back on Feb. 5. "I've said that all throughout the year, so I don't think it's any surprise that I want to be back. At the end of the day though I need to make sure it's something fair for me, something I can not take advantage of, but something that I can feel that I was treated fairly."
Check out the top photos of the Los Angeles Rams offensive line and quarterbacks from the 2018 season.
Offensive Guard (76) Rodger Saffold, Center (66) Austin Blythe and Offensive tackle (77) Andrew Whitworth of the Los Angeles Rams faces off against the Dallas Cowboys at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Rams win 30-22 in an NFL Divisional playoff game, Saturday, January 12, 2019, Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Rodger Saffold (76), center John Sullivan (65), center Austin Blythe (66), offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth (77), and offensive tackle Rob Havenstein (79) take the field prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on September 16th, 2018 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif (Rams/Hiro Ueno)
Quarterback (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams faces off against the Seattle Seahawks, the Rams win 36-31 in an NFL Week 10 game, Sunday, November 11, 2018, Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
(76) Rodger Saffold, (77) Andrew Whitworth, (79) Rob Havenstein, (65) John Sullivan, and (66) Austin Blythe of the Los Angeles Rams are introduced before the Rams 38-31 victory over the Vikings in an NFL Week 4 Thursday Night Football game, Thursday, September 27, 2018, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Quarterback (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams breaks the huddle with (65) John Sullivan, (76) Rodger Saffold, (77) Andrew Whitworth, and (30) Todd Gurley against the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 36-31 victory over the Seahawks in an NFL Week 10 regular season football game, Sunday, November 11, 2018, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Quarterback (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams faces off against the Dallas Cowboys at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Rams win 30-22 in an NFL Divisional playoff game, Saturday, January 12, 2019, Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Quarterback (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams passes the ball against the New Orleans Saints during the Rams 35-45 loss to the Saints in an NFL Week 9 regular season football game, Sunday, November 4, 2018, in New Orleans, LA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrates a touchdown during the NFC Championship Game against the New Orleans Saints on January 20th, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Hiro Ueno/Rams)
Quarterback (14) Sean Mannion of the Los Angeles Rams participate during pre-game introductions and the national anthem as the Rams face off against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. The Rams fall short of victory 13-03 in the championship round on Sunday, February 3, 2019. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) looks to throw during the NFC Championship Game against the New Orleans Saints on January 20th, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Hiro Ueno/Rams)
(79) Rob Havenstein and (66) Austin Blythe of the Los Angeles Rams pose with the George Halas Trophy in the locker room after the Rams 26-23 victory over the Saints in the NFC Championship Game, Sunday, January 20, 2019, in New Orleans, LA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide receiver (12) Brandin Cooks of the Los Angeles Rams catches a pass and runs while tackle (79) Rob Havenstein pancakes a the Kansas City Chiefs player during the Rams 54-51 victory over the Chiefs in an NFL Week 11 Monday Night Football game, Monday, November 19, 2018, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Offensive lineman (72) Aaron Neary of the Los Angeles Rams blocks against the Oakland Raiders during the Rams 19-15 Victory over the Raiders in an NFL Preseason Week 2 football game, Saturday, August 18, 2018, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Tackle (77) Andrew Whitworth of the Los Angeles Rams blocks against the New Orleans Saints during the Rams 26-23 victory over the Saints in the NFC Championship Game, Sunday, January 20, 2019, in New Orleans, LA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Los Angeles Rams center John Sullivan (65) and quarterback Jared Goff (16) during the NFL Super Bowl LIII football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Feb 3, 2019 in Atlanta. (Hiro Ueno/Rams)
Quarterback (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams lines up against the San Francisco 49ers during the Rams 48-32 victory over the 49ers in an NFL Week 17 regular season football game, Sunday, December 30, 2018, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Quarterback (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams passes the ball against the Green Bay Packers during the Rams 29-27 victory over the Packers in an NFL Week 8 regular season football game, Sunday, October 28, 2018, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) drops back to pass during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Hiro Ueno/Rams)
Center #55 Brian Allen of the Los Angeles Rams during the Rams 33-13 Monday Night Football victory over the Oakland Raiders in an NFL Season Opener Weeks 1 football game on September 10, 2018, in Oakland, CA. (Daniel Bowyer/Rams)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) carries the ball in for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Monday, Nov. 19, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Hiro Ueno/Rams)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) scrambles out of the pocket during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Hiro Ueno/Rams)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrates during an NFL Football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Hiro Ueno/Rams)
Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen (55) celebrates after winning the NFC Championship Game with a final score of 26-23 against the New Orleans Saints on January 20th, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana to advance to the Super Bowl. (Hiro Ueno/Rams)
Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth (77) sets a block during the NFL Super Bowl LIII football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Feb 3, 2019 in Atlanta. (Hiro Ueno/Rams)
Offensive guard #76 Rodger Saffold of The Los Angeles Rams during the 33-31 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL season game five match, at CenturyLink field, on October 7, 2018, in Seattle Washington. (Daniel Bowyer/Rams)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) and offensive guard Rodger Saffold (76) take the field prior to an NFL Divisional playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys on January 12th, 2019at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif. (Hiro Ueno/Rams)
Quarterback (08) Brandon Allen and Center (55) Brian Allen of the Los Angeles Rams arrives at the airport to depart for Atlanta, GA the site of Super Bowl LIII. Sunday, January 27, 2019. Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Quarterback (8) Brandon Allen of the Los Angeles Rams drops back to pass against the New Orleans Saints during the Rams 28-0 loss to the Saints in an NFL Week 4 preseason game, Thursday, August 30, 2018, in New Orleans, LA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
If, however, Saffold is not re-signed, the Rams have a couple internal candidates they could turn to in order to replace him. One could be Joseph Noteboom, who the Rams selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of TCU. Noteboom played in spot duty at left tackle as a rookie — and that's more where he projects out as a future pro. But if, for example, left tackle Andrew Whitworth elects not to retire and Saffold is not re-signed, Noteboom could potentially slide in as a guard.
Rising second-year player Brian Allen could also potentially play guard for Los Angeles, as he has some position flexibility with all three interior spots on the offensive line. L.A. also has sixth-round pick Jamil Demby, who did not play during the regular season in 2018, but has a year of experience in the offensive system. Demby did spend much of the 2018 season with Detroit after he was claimed off waivers in mid-September. The Rams re-signed him off the Lions' practice squad in December.
Still, because Saffold will turn just 31 on June 6, he appears to have more good years of football in front of him. That could make a potential return to L.A. favorable for both the player and the organization.
