This is not what the Rams imagined.
No. 1 draft pick Jared Goff will not start the team’s opener on Monday night against the 49ers — and, in a dramatic wrinkle, won’t even be active for the game. Los Angeles will start Case Keenum at quarterback with second-year Sean Mannion serving as the backup and punter Johnny Hekker as the emergency fill-in.
“Jared’s had a great camp, so has Sean. Case is clearly our starter,” Rams coach Jeff Fisher told reporters. “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. And then next week we’ll flip them [Goff and Mannion]. I just want him to feel and sense and absorb the pressures of Week 1. 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.”
Goff had a mediocre preseason, completing 22 of 49 passes with two touchdowns and two interceptions, when defenses are at their most simplistic. But if there is a concern, it’s just how far the Cal star has fallen behind, given that Keenum and Mannion are a far-below-average quarterback tandem.
Fisher knew the inevitable comparisons between Goff and No. 2 pick Carson Wentz would come. The Eagles are so confident in Wentz, who missed most of the preseason with a rib injury, they traded starter Sam Bradford to the Vikings last week and are starting the North Dakota State product over Chase Daniel in Week 1 after they gave Daniel a $21 million deal this offseason.
“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.”
Fisher cannot stop the comparison, but it is fair to ask if the Eagles are rushing Wentz into the situation. He’s coming from an FCS college, saw little time in the preseason and now is starting ahead of a reliable veteran they sought out this offseason.