After the preseason it was clear that Jared Goff would not be the starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams when the season got underway, as Case Keenum was the team’s starter. Not only that, but it looked as if Sean Mannion would be the team’s backup and Goff would be the 3rd-string.
Now it looks as if Goff won’t even dress for the Rams’ opener.
In talking with NFL Network’s Steve Wyche, head coach Jeff Fisher revealed that Mannion would be the team’s backup while Goff would be inactive and punter Johnny Hekker will be the emergency 3rd-string quarterback:
“Jared’s had a great camp, so has Sean. Case is clearly our starter. I think Week 1 just to settle things down … it’s probably going to be, like I mentioned last week, it’s probably going to be three and inactive,” Fisher said. “That’s just how it goes. And then next week we’ll flip them. I just want him to feel and sense and absorb the pressures of Week 1. He’s going to be a great player. As we’ve said from Day One, we’re not rushing him. We don’t have to rush it. I’m really happy with where he is right now.”
It is interesting to note that Fisher said he plans to flip it next week and have Goff be the backup and Mannion would presumably not dress. This would seem to say that the Rams don’t quite have their backup QB situation figured out.
Nonetheless, Goff being the top overall pick and not dressing for the season opener is shocking to say the least. Most top quarterbacks are expected to play immediately, especially in recent years. While it is unfair to expect every one to come in and make an immediate impact, being an inactive is a definite low point.
Fisher has still spoken highly of Goff throughout this entire process so hopefully he can continue to develop and in time, take over the reigns for this Rams team.
