Ever since the Los Angeles Rams selected Jared Goff with the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, head coach Jeff Fisher has maintained they will remain patient with the growth of their young quarterback before naming him as the starter.
However, Goff’s progression has seemingly taken longer than planned after a mediocre preseason performance landed him on the inactive list for Week 1 against the San Franciso 49ersaccording to Steve Wyche of NFL Network:
” Jared’ had a great camp, so has Sean [Mannion]. Case is clearly our starter. I think Week 1 just to settle things down and let Jared go through the experience it’s probably going to be, like I mentioned last week, it’s probably going to be three and inactive,” Fisher said.
Earlier this week, Carson Wentz, the second overall pick and fellow quarterback, was named the starter after the Philadelphia Eagles traded Sam Bradford. This has since raised questions about whether or not the Rams made the right decision after trading up to acquire the first overall pick. However, Fisher has not wavered in his stance on selecting Goff and feels this is all part of his progression:
” He’s going to be a great player. As we’ve said from day one, we’re not rushing him. We don’t have to rush it. I’m really happy with where he is right now. It’s unfair to compare him to anybody else,” Fisher said. ” I know Philly has got their situation, it’s a little different and trading Sam so Carson is going to start, but you know Jared is in a good place right now. He’s done some really good things, so I’m really pleased with his progress.”
While it is fair to expect the first overall selection to be much further along by Week 1, given the Rams chances at a playoff run this year, the team is better off with veteran Case Keenum at the helm rather than an inexperienced rookie. After all, it was the primary reason Los Angeles re-signed Keenum to a one-year extension during the off-season.
