It appears as though Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff is a No. 1 overall pick in name only.
Rams head coach Jeff Fisher told Steve Wyche of NFL Network on Tuesday that Goff will be inactive for the team’s season opener against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday. Case Keenum will be starting with Sean Mannion as his backup and punter Johnny Hekker serving as emergency depth. Having three active quarterbacks is a rarity due to special teams availability, which is said to be the main reason for Goff’s inactive label. Fisher also said that it’s possible Goff and Mannion could switch for Week 2 against the Seahawks.
It’s a curious decision to say the least after the Rams dealt six draft picks, including their first- and third-round picks in 2017, to move up last April and select Goff at No. 1. But it’s not a complete shock given that Goff had been listed as the third-string quarterback on the depth chart in training camp.
Wins will likely be hard to come by for the Rams in 2016, regardless of who’s under center. Why not work on the development of the guy they drafted to be their franchise quarterback, especially when they virtually sold their souls to get him in the first place? Goff’s epic faceplant in preseason play may be a big part of it, but these are the kinds of questions Fisher will have to answer for as long as the Cal product continues to be buried on the depth chart.
