During his terrific 2018 season, Jared Goff was excellent in two areas: play-action passes and deep throws downfield.
On play-action passes two years ago, Goff threw for 15 touchdowns and only two interceptions with a passer rating of 115.0. On passes at least 20 yards downfield, Goff’s passer rating was 109.7, according to Inside Edge, which was fourth-best in the NFL.
Both of those trends changed dramatically in 2019 with Goff taking a huge step back on play-action passes and deep shots. Focusing on the latter, these passing charts from Next Gen Stats show just how far Goff fell off on deep throws this past season.
Here’s his grid from 2019:
Compared to his chart from 2018:
Yeah, it was that bad. Goff was miles below the league average on deep passes this season, particularly throwing to the deep middle and right. As a whole, Goff’s passer rating on deep throws (20-plus yards downfield) was 54.5 in 2019 – third-worst among qualified quarterbacks.
It’s amazing to think he finished third in the league in passing yards despite rarely connecting on big plays. How is that possible? Yards after the catch, that’s how.
The Rams’ wide receivers averaged 5.8 yards after the catch this season, which was tied for the best rate in the NFL. Their 1,444 yards after the catch were the most in the league by a wide margin.
Having wide receivers who can break tackles and pick up big gains after the catch is great, but Goff has to do a better job hitting passes deep downfield, too. And you can say what you will about the situation around Goff – his bad offensive line, Brandin Cooks’ struggles, Cooper Kupp mostly working underneath – but for the most part, deep passes fall on the quarterback.
He can’t always rely on his receivers to make big plays with the ball in their hands. Goff must improve in this area next season.