Who Did Rams' Havenstein Gain 'Leadership Traits' From?

Los Angeles Rams right tackle Rob Havenstein is one of the few members of the team that remain from their 2021 Super Bowl-winning season.

Havenstein has been a Ram since he was drafted by then-St. Louis is in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. The 31-year-old has started in every game that he's played since then (116).

The 2022 co-captain has shown excellent influence in the locker room, but that all started when a former member of the offensive line retired.

“Yeah, he's got such great, natural leadership traits," Rams coach Sean McVay said during Saturday's press conference. "I think he got a chance to witness the way that (former Rams OL) Andrew (Whitworth) did it, and I think they're two great leaders."

McVay explained how Whitworth took Havenstein under his wing, but the latter's leadership qualities are somewhat different.

"He's got a great way about challenging guys and I think it's really easy because he ends up doing the exact same things," McVay said. "He's not asking guys to do things that he's not doing. He's so smart, cerebral and conscientious as hell. I love Rob Havenstein. He's one of those guys, he'll be a captain again."

The Rams' offensive line struggled with injuries and lineup changes throughout last season, but quarterback (and fellow 2022 captain) Matthew Stafford said that Havenstein set a great example during the tough year.

"He knows how to communicate at a high level," Stafford said. "He is obviously physically really talented. I think he's in great shape right now. He looks really good and he has been playing at a high level, and I know that the guys in that room can always look to him for what it's supposed to look like and he is doing a great job."

Rams defensive tackle (and fellow 2022 captain) Aaron Donald has had his fair share of attacking Los Angeles' offensive line during practice over the last decade. Nevertheless, he believes Havenstein's been doing an excellent job with more than just the front five this offseason.

"He's doing good leading the offensive line, but at the same time, you need to be a voice for not just the offensive line but for the offense," Donald said. "He's doing a great job of doing that and it's a process, but right now guys are working."