Rams rookie quarterback Jared Goff, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft, started Thursday night’s preseason finale.
After the game, Rams coach Jeff Fisher praised Goff’s work and the progress he made through the preseason but Fisher said Goff, who’s just 21, is not yet ready for real game action. Asked if he was confident Goff could be the primary backup to starter Case Keenum in the regular season, Fisher said Goff would likely start the season as the team’s No. 3 quarterback, which means he could be inactive on game days early in the season.
“I think it’s going to take a bit more time,” Fisher told reporters. “That’s not to say he can’t be a No. 2 or start, but if we were starting right now, I’d probably have Sean [Mannion] as the No. 2. Because it’s all about being patient with [Goff].
“He’s not frustrated or anything. He took some hits. He got hit pretty hard last week, and Sunday was a tough day for him, which you guys didn’t see. But he did everything he needed to do.”
In another press conference give-and-take Fisher said Goff “is not ready, but he’s really made significant progress.”
The Rams gave Goff some reps with the starters throughout training camp, but the plan since the spring has been to start Keenum.