Despite the Los Angeles Rams making the biggest jump in NFL Draft history to take Jared Goff with the first overall pick, quarterback Case Keenum heads into organized team activities confident he will be the starter for the 2016 season.
Keenum addressed the situation regarding the draft along with other expectations according to Gary Klein of Los Angeles Times:
“I knew they were going to draft somebody, you have to produce to keep your job in this business,” Keenum added. “I know nothing’s going to be handed to me, ever.”
After playing second fiddle to the newly-acquired Nick Foles for a majority of the season, Keenum was given the starting nod and led the Rams to a 3-1 record in their final four games. He threw four touchdowns and one interception while completing 61 percent of his passes.
Keenum’s season was impressive enough that the Rams made an effort to bring him back this year, signing him to a first-round restricted free-agent tender worth $3.6 million for one year according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network:
#Rams QB Case Keenum has signed his first-round RFA tender. If a trade is going to happen, it's now possible. Could easily stay, though.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 18, 2016
Though Los Angeles has not ruled out Goff as the Game 1 starter, Keenum certainly provides stability at quarterback position should head coach Jeff Fisher decided to take some time grooming their coveted pick.
Goff comes out of a program that ran a no-huddle, spread offense, so he will need some time adjusting to taking snaps under center in the Rams pro-style offense. However, with a workhorse like Todd Gurley to go along weapons on the outside, Keenum or Goff should be able to resurrect an offense that threw for the fewest touchdowns in the league.
