Jared Goff Says He Wants to Be Rams’ Starting QB
Los Angeles Rams rookie quarterback Jared Goff revealed that he wants to be the team’s starter this season in an interview with Andrew Siciliano and Kurt Warner on the NFL Network.
“The competitor in me wants to play, but it’s not my job to make that decision,” Goff said (h/t NFL Media). “That’s what the coaches are paid for.”
He added, “I’ve never not started.”
When asked by Warner if he felt he would be ready to start in Week 1, Goff remained confident.
Absolutely. That’s something I’m striving for, something I really want to work for. It’s not up to me, but I want to be as comfortable as I can at that point and continue to improve every day. I’m not really thinking about Week 1 right now, I’m thinking about tomorrow and trying to be as good as I can tomorrow and continuing to improve every day. I feel like I’ve made a really good jump and I don’t want to slow down.
One thing that has been helping his preparation? Getting to work against the team’s excellent defense.
“If I can do something well against [our defense], that gives me confidence,” he said.
It’s hardly surprising that Goff would express a desire to be the team’s starting quarterback. That competitive drive is crucial in the NFL, and there would be more concern in Los Angeles if Goff was complacent or satisfied with accepting a backup role in 2016.
Being a backup to start 2016 may be his fate, of course. Case Keenum is the presumptive starter and, if the Rams don’t feel Goff is ready, they seemingly have no issue trotting Keenum onto the field in Week 1, according to Rich Hammond of the Orange County Register.
Keenum, meanwhile, has embraced the presence of Goff, per Hammond:
When it’s good people, it really makes it a lot easier, and he’s good people. We’re trying to make each other better. The way I’ve always seen it is, I don’t want him to do bad. I want him to do good. But when I’m competing with somebody, I want my best to be better than his. That’s just how I’ve been. I’m not wishing bad for anybody.
Regardless of who is ultimately named the starter to begin 2016, there should be no misconceptions about the future of the franchise. Goff was selected as the top overall pick in this year’s NFL draft to become a franchise quarterback and the face of the organization alongside young running back Todd Gurley and defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
The goal, then, is for Goff to take over as the starting quarterback eventually, possibly at some point in 2016 and perhaps even by Week 1.
If Goff has his way, that will certainly be the case.
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