The Los Angeles Rams have been busy shoring up their defensive unit during the NFL free agency period, most notably re-signing Dante Fowler Jr. while also adding a pair of well-respected veterans in Clay Matthews and Eric Weddle.
While the majority of the team’s offensive core remains intact for the 2019 NFL season, an additional area of focus was finding a suitable backup quarterback for Jared Goff.
The 24-year-old’s former understudy, Sean Mannion, became an unrestricted free agent and seemingly wasn’t in the Rams’ long-term plans. He recently met with the Minnesota Vikings and could potentially fill the role of backup quarterback to Kirk Cousins.
The Rams’ search ultimately led to the signing of Blake Bortles, who is excited with his new opportunity to learn from head coach Sean McVay.
According to Michael Silver of NFL.com, the Rams were reportedly intrigued by former Oakland Raiders quarterback AJ McCarron before inking Bortles to a one-year deal:
Had interest from Rams, who obviously chose Bortles instead https://t.co/8okeXcXeai
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) March 20, 2019
The former Alabama standout appeared in two games for the Raiders last season — relieving Derek Carr on both occasions — and completed just one of three passes for eight yards.
McCarron eventually found a new home with the Houston Texans, where he’ll look to revitalize his career as Deshaun Watson’s backup.
In five NFL seasons, seeing time with both the Cincinnati Bengals and Raiders, McCarron has completed 64 percent of his pass attempts (87-for-136), accumulating 928 yards through the air with six touchdowns and two interceptions.
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