Reminisce Jared Goff’s Contract and How to Win Against All Odds
We’re counting on you, Goff.
I’ve just finished Episode 6 of The Last Dance, a documentary about Michael Jordan and the Bulls on Netflix. I’m really impressed with how ESPN can pull off a series about the greatest basketball of all time, so we as the Gen-Z who never witness Jordan greatness can feel directly into their era. The most captivating moments I liked about the series is when they talked about how Scottie Pippen, Jordan sidekick and arguably the second-best NBA player at that time refuse to play in a large part of his final season due to frustration about his contract.
No, this article is not a review of The Last Dance. Actually right after I saw Pippen’s feud with his contract, suddenly my mind going to another major league I am currently paying attention to, the NFL.
Inglewood, CA
20 years ahead after Bulls’ sixth championship, Los Angeles Rams extended contract for their former first pick quarterback for 134 million dollars, with 110 million guaranteed. It is the third-highest contract in NFL right now, and currently the most guaranteed money ever paid for an NFL player. On contrary, a player who had already established himself as the living legend in NBA, helped Bulls to reach five championships at that time and still played alongside the GOAT (re: Greatest Of All-Time), still suffered from the terrible contract in his last year for the Bulls. What Jared Goff already did for the Rams?
Helped Rams to the Super Bowl LIII? Checked.
Being selected to Pro Bowl two times? Checked.
Fewest points ever made in Super Bowl? Checked. Eh.
I thought Rams would wait like what Dallas Cowboys did with Dak Prescott. But I was wrong. Rams already paid Aaron Donald and Todd Gurley, most valuable players they had in the last three years and they were willing to do the same to lock off their soon-to-be franchise quarterback, as soon as possible. Sacrificing the salary cap to build a team around those stars seems about right.
But in the first year of his new contract kicked off, he failed to bring Rams into playoffs with 9–7 record. Since the start of the 2019 season, Goff seemed to struggle so hard behind a miserable line, notably when Rams faced teams with a dominant defensive front seven like 49ers or Steelers.
When he started his college career in California, he tended to quickly release the ball. He is naturally a pocket passer unlike his division rivals, Russell Wilson or Kyler Murray who can operate well outside the collapsed pocket although at some games he can scramble well against weaker opponents. He barely can scramble and keep a drive alive unlike Wilson or Deshaun Watson as an infamous escape artist. The stats showed how he regressed last year.
2019 Stats
He threw 16 interceptions in the 2019 season, worse than three previous seasons. He also tossed 10 fewer touchdowns than the 2018 season. Based on PFF’s 2019 offensive line rankings, Rams ranked 31st, the major fall from the previous season, as Rams unit ranked 6th on the list.
It really affected not only Goff, but also the running game. 2019 season held Todd Gurley for only 857 yards and 3,8 yards per attempt, mayor disappointment after the near-MVP season he had the previous year with 4,8 yards per attempt and 17 touchdowns.
Whether it could be caused by Gurley’s knee too or not, it showed how Rams also struggled so hard in the running game and it pushed Goff to throw more often. So I can’t fully blame it on Goff alone. But yeah, as the current third highest-paid player in NFL right now, Goff should’ve figured it out immediately. No excuse for it.
Draft Result
As a franchise without a draft capital left after some sloppy trade like Brandin Cooks and Jalen Ramsey (he didn’t perform well enough in my opinion), Rams look like never conceive NFL Draft 2020 as their major target. But somehow, they could still grab some resourceful talent at offensive weapons around Cam Akers (RB), Van Jefferson (WR), and others. Surprisingly, Rams only picked Treymane Anchrum (G) for their offensive linemen unit, the major issue as we talked above.
As later confirmed, Les Snead as the general manager pointed that he is already satisfied with their linemen heading into the 2020 season. So that means Andrew Whitworth, Brian Allen, David Edwards, Austin Corbett and etc. won’t have any competitor to win the starting job. I can’t give further comment on his comment. Let’s hope he is responsible for his words.
2020: Face of Franchise
After Gurley left for Atlanta Falcons and some several keys players left via free agency or trade, Jared Goff is undisputedly a face of the franchise, alongside the best defensive player in the game, indeed. Rams already going all-in for Goff and I predict 2020 is the last year Rams give a chance for Goff to prove his worth.
As the major issue seems unlikely to be fixed for the 2020 season, it is up to Goff to figure out how to carry Rams, at least sneaks into playoffs again with those loaded weapons he still has. With Sean McVay, the coach who can utilize their weapon to their maximum capabilities (and most importantly, lifted up Goff after horrible rookie season under Jeff Fischer) is still under the belt, it is safe for Goff to play like he used to do since his college days, quick release the ball as fast as possible. He used to throw many dimes when the offensive line was superior and grabbed a perfect passer rating, but heading into the 2020 season, we might never watch him as he used to be.
Rams' organization now is like a house which is drowned by the flood and the owner is desperate how to overcome the disaster because he already spent too much budget on beautifying the look of the house rather than fixing the ditch system around his house. They only have the second floor to protect them for a while, while the flood still overwhelming the first floor.
We might face a rebuilding season if the whole roster couldn’t make it once again. As not a very favorable quarterback playing for the franchise we love, we still root for you, Goff. It doesn’t matter how people perceive you as a system quarterback or not. Go balling out there this season, and just acknowledge that fans urge you to prove as if the organization’s big investment for you is worth every penny.
