The Los Angeles Rams offense has experienced some trouble getting going in the first half of the 2016-17 NFL season. While there are a number of reasons for their current struggles, the most notable has been the mediocre play of quarterback Case Keenum.
There was some talk the Rams would consider shaking things up during the bye week after head coach Jeff Fisher acknowledged rookie Jared Goff would be taking the bulk of the reps with the first team. However, it has since been clarified Keenum remains the starter for their matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
Although Keenum has pretty much dealt with this kind of talk since the Rams took Goff with the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, many are wondering if the rumors are beginning to weigh in on the back of Keenum’s mind. According to Rich Hammond of Orange County Register, the rumors are water off a duck’s back for the veteran:
“What matters to me is the opinions of the 53 in that locker room and the coaches in their room,” Keenum said. “I’m going to go our and try to do the best I can to prepare to put this team in the best situation to win ballgames. That’s what my goal is this week. I’m not worried about anything else, forward or backward.”
Ever since the Rams re-signed him in the offseason, Keenum has been well aware he is playing on borrowed time. Now, whether they bench him now or later in the season depends on both Keenum’s play and whatever position Los Angeles finds themselves in during the second half of the season.
Following his four-interception performance in Week 7 against the New York Giants, there was speculation Los Angeles would consider throwing in the rookie. However, the starting job still remains in Keenum’s clutches for now.
