The Rams have just lost their defensive coordinator to the Chargers, and more major changes are yet to come. Los Angeles just finished what has been a successful season in every way, winning a playoff game and advancing to the division round after not making it to the postseason the year before. But if they want to get back to their old heights from the 2018 Super Bowl run, they need a much better production in the passing game. 
Sean McVay seems to understand that, and he now raised many eyebrows during his last two press conferences by refusing to commit to it Jared Goff. In his post-game press conference immediately after the Rams’ loss to the Packers, McVay was asked if Goff is his quarterback and replied, “yes, he’s the quarterback now. As we’ve seen many times, “now” in coach-speak can be a kiss of death.
In his end-of-year media availability on Sunday, McVay clouded the waters even further. “I evaluate everything we do, including the QB position,McVay said, adding “I am not ready to make any kind of statement regarding ANY starting position, ”Said Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Los Angeles had the highest overall defense of the league this season, the weapons are good enough, the line of attack is solid and the coaching is great in every way. As such, it is reasonable to assume that the only way to raise their ceiling is for Goff to improve as it will be difficult for the defense to play even better in 2021. The former first overall pick fell back this season and arranged towards the top. of the competition in interceptions, despite being in the average depth from the target to the bottom.
It sounds like McVay is far from happy with his current depth map, but his options are limited. Goff is under contract through the 2024 season thanks to the major extension he signed in September 2019 which is only now starting to take effect. There’s no realistic way to cut him for next season with the dead cap consequences.
No team is likely to take his contract in a trade, suggesting that the only way McVay can replace him would be to add some competition to the roster. It would be very difficult to place another major contract alongside Goff’s, which would mean there would likely have to be competition in the form of a cheaper veteran or a player with a newcomer deal.
It’s going to be a very interesting low season in Los Angeles. Maybe GM Les Snead, Known for its aggressiveness in recent years, it has one more trick up its sleeve.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.