Although the Los Angeles Rams were busy putting together the final touches to their roster for the 2019 NFL season this past weekend, they still face the looming question of quarterback Jared Goff’s contract extension.
Goff is entering the fourth year of his rookie deal and is slated to earn $4.3 million this season while carrying a cap hit of $8.9 million. While the Rams may have the option of bringing him back for a fifth year on his current contract, it will come with a heavy price tag before they actually make their official long-term investment.
As a result, there has been plenty of speculation regarding whether or not Los Angeles could look to get a deal done before the start of the 2019 campaign. It seems head coach Sean McVay has not ruled anything out.
According to Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times, he indicated that the Rams are open to potentially extending Goff before the season opener against the Carolina Panthers:
“If all things come together,” McVay said. “We’ll get a chance to look at that, but we know that Jared is very important. We feel great about him as our quarterback.”
While there is some concern about the effect this could have on Goff’s performance, McVay does not feel it will be a factor thanks to his ability to stay focused on the task at hand:
“If anything, we’ve talked about what a great mental toughness and fortitude he has,” McVay said. “And I think Jared’s singular focus truly is on getting ready for the Carolina Panthers and having an outstanding 2019 season leading us.”
Goff has made it clear that he is not concerned about all the looming questions regarding his future and is focused on continuing to improve as the Rams’ franchise quarterback. It is safe to say that his approach has not gone unnoticed by McVay.
Fortunately, the front office now has a benchmark to go by after the Philadelphia Eagles signed quarterback Carson Wentz to a four-year, $128 million extension with $107 million guaranteed this offseason. Wentz was taken with the second overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft after Goff and the two have enjoyed their fair share of success ever since.
Goff is not the only player heading into the 2019 campaign with some uncertainty beyond this season. Tight end Tyler Higbee, linebacker Cory Littleton, and cornerback Marcus Peters will all be looking for lucrative paydays once they become unrestricted free agents after this year and the Rams likely won’t be able to keep them all.
