For what seems like the first time in years, there is a quarterback duel going on at Los Angeles Rams training camp. When the Rams gave up a bevy of picks to take quarterback Jared Goff with the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, it was clear they were heavily invested in the Cal product as their future.
However, when they re-signed quarterback Case Keenum, it was also clear that the front office wanted to take their time easing Goff into starting role. Despite Goff’s eagerness to start Week 1, it is becoming more evident that the Rams will give Keenum the nod come Week 1 according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network:
After spending time with #Rams, it's clear there is a real chance Case Keenum enters the season as the starter. That's the plan, as of now.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 9, 2016
After leading the team to a 3-1 record in four starts last year, it seems Keenum continues to prove himself as an extremely capable starting quarterback. Although many Rams faithful would like to see some return on all the picks they gave up, Rapoport gave some solid reasons on why they are better off taking their time with Goff:
“First of all, Jared Goff simply has not taken that leap yet over Case Keenum to overtake the job. They’re not just going to give it to him just because he is their first pick,” Rapoport said. ” The other part of this is, Keenum has played well. He really has put the pressure on and he hasn’t lost either in the eyes of his officials or in the eyes of teammates as well. He is someone they can trust. Give Goff some time and whenever he earns the job and he will, then they’ll just simply hand over the reigns.”
Although it may be time for Goff to accept his fate as a backup for the time being, the consensus is that it is only a matter of time before he gets the call.
