Among the struggles surrounding the Los Angeles Rams for the 2016-17 NFL season, their quarterback play was among the positions that landed in the hot seat. The Rams traded away the farm to acquire Jared Goff with the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, but subsequently made it clear they were in no rush to start the rookie.
However, Case Keenum’s lackluster play seemingly forced Fisher’s hand in hopes of repairing a lost season. All the while, the Rams have had second-year quarterback Sean Mannion waiting in wings.
During a press conference, interim head coach John Fassel indicated he would like to get Mannion some work:
“We’d love to get Sean some reps in the situation like last week, where something happens to Jared — whether he can’t find his helmet or his shoelace breaks — get Sean in there for a little bit of work, which would be good, to see Sean,” Fassel said. “Case has performed well when required, but it would be good for the team to get a look at Sean and see what he can do if pressed into service by necessity.”
Mannion also gave his thoughts on possibly starting and insists he is taking the same approach he has all season long:
“Being the backup, I guess, puts you closer to getting into the game,” Mannion added. “But, like I said, all year I’ve prepared as though I’m the one playing, I’m the one starting, and the one who has to go in and win games. So that doesn’t change.”
Now with Goff undergoing concussion protocol, Mannion has taken one step closer to potentially making his first career start against the San Francisco 49ers. The Rams selected Mannion in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. At 6’6, 230 pounds, the former Oregon State product possesses a huge arm, but has struggled with consistent accuracy.
His only NFL appearance came last year versus the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 12 in which he finished the game 6-of-7 for 31 yards.