WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – Rams offensive lineman Rob Havenstein on Monday confirmed he is contemplating retirement or con returning for a 12th NFL season, but that no decision has been made yet.
"I'd be lying to you if I said I haven't," Havenstein said Monday morning. "It's something I've got to continue to think about, and we'll go from there."
It was a difficult year physically for Havenstein, battling an ankle injury that limited him to just seven starts. He started the first four games of the season, missed the next three games before returning for Weeks 9-11. He landed on Injured Reserve after Week 11, at which time head coach Sean McVay said had been battling through ankle and knee injuries.
Havenstein said his ankle was hurt enough to "probably" play, but also hurt enough to not play well. Los Angeles did not open his 21-day practice window to potentially be activated off of IR until last Thursday, and he was ruled out in advance of the NFC Championship Game.
"And this is a performance league," Havenstein said. "Did everything I could in my power – rest, injections, rehab, whatever it happened to be – to try and get this thing to feel a little better. And just kind of lost that battle. So it was definitely tough, trying to process that and kind of what that brings. But it was definitely a challenging year, a fun year for the room, even just being with those guys, whether I was playing or not, it was one of the better times I've had."
"I just can't say enough about the way that he's impacted the team even while he's not able to play," McVay said last Friday. "The mentorship that he provides for the group, the wisdom that he has and (offensive line coach) Ryan Wendell does such a great job of being able to give him that platform that he's earned to pour into these guys. I think in a lot of instances, coming from your teammates or peers is so valuable and he's got so much wisdom like a coach. He's been awesome. That was the thought process this week."
As McVay alluded to, Havenstein remained present throughout the season even when sidelined by injury. Two of the most notable examples were the amount of time he invested into working with Warren McClendon Jr., who started in his place at right tackle, and also slapping wide receiver Puka Nacua's shoulder pads before each game.
"I got a lot of love for this building, for this team, for that room," Havenstein said. "When I was young, guys were helping me out, and so it's something I could return the favor and just do what I can. I just wanted to win, whether that was me on the field or smacking Puka on the sidelines, or handing out smelling salts. Whatever I could do to help, that's what I wanted to do."
A team captain for four straight seasons and the starting right tackle for the Rams' Super Bowl LVI-winning team, Havenstein was asked Monday whether he feels like there's still stuff he wants to prove in this game, or if it's a decision to make for the love of the game and what's best for his family.
"Yeah, love of the game, what's best for my family," said Havenstein, who has started 161 career games across the regular season and playoffs since being drafted by the Rams in the second round in 2015. "I've done a lot over these 11 years and been around some amazing people and had a lot of great memories and a lot of friends I'm gonna carry with me forever. Love the game, love this place, love the Rams. I appreciate Sean and everything he's done, and yeah, it was tough, been tough."
