When the Los Angeles Rams face off against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, Jared Goff will not be quarterback Case Keenum's backup. He will also not be a third-string QB behind Sean Mannion because that job will be given to punter Johnny Hekker.
Instead, Goff will only be wearing plain clothes as a spectator at the upcoming game. As noted by Rams coach Jeff Fisher, Goff will not be on the team's quarterback bench simply because he's not yet ready to play. This notion, of course, is very strange especially since Goff was the No. 1 overall pick during the 2016 draft.
"Jared's had a great camp, so has Sean," Fisher said. "Case is clearly out 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."
"That's just how it goes," he added. "And then next week we'll flip them. I just want him to feel and sense and absorb the pressures of Week 1."
Although Goff will probably get a chance to play or at least be on the bench during the game against the Seattle Seahawks, there's a chance that the Rams might decide to let him go if he doesn't meet their expectations.
As reported previously, Goff has been referred to as a draft bust simple because since 2008, there has never been a No. 1 draft pick who didn't start for the team. He's also being likened to Russell Wilson, a No. 1 overall pick in 2007 he missed out on starting for the Oakland Raiders because he missed training camp and struggled during practice sessions.
If Goff fails to perform effectively, then the Los Angeles team could decide to trade him away for someone who's more skilled on the field. Since he is still a No. 1 pick, the Rams could probably ask for a high trade value for him. This could either come in the form of a future draft pick or a veteran athlete who could serve as the Rams' No. 2 quarterback.
