Jared Goff hasn’t missed a single snap for the Los Angeles Rams all season, staying on the field for every offensive play they’ve run. He’s also the only player on the team to attempt a pass, as backup John Wolford has sat back waiting for an opportunity to take his first regular-season snap ever.
Some thought last week might be the time to get Wolford playing time, given the lopsided score against the Patriots. Some even called for him to get a chance when Goff struggled against the Dolphins and 49ers this year.
But Sean McVay has opted not to get Wolford on the field in two years of being on the Rams’ roster. Could that change this week against the Jets?
The Rams are 17-point favorites over New York and just about everyone expects them to win this game convincingly. If the score is lopsided late, it would be a good opportunity to see what Wolford can do in a game situation – especially considering he was stripped of preseason reps this year due to the pandemic.
McVay admitted that in hindsight, it might’ve been smart to get Wolford in the game against New England.
“It is something that you feel like looking back on it, maybe it would have been an opportunity to get him some reps,” he said this week. “But I think the respect that I have for the Patriots and Coach Belichick, you never really felt like even though it was 24-3 that the game was kind of fully in control. So, looking back it might have been something that you would think about, but in the midst of the game, it wasn’t something that I did think about.”
Offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell likes what he’s seen from Wolford in practice this year, going up against one of the best defenses in the league every day. But at the same time, he wouldn’t mind seeing Wolford get some game experience, having never played a meaningful snap before.
O’Connell told reporters Thursday that he would love for Wolford to play in the near future if that opportunity comes about.
“You never look ahead to a game as a possible opportunity like that, not in the National Football League. I definitely don’t and I’m sure Coach McVay probably relayed the same things. But as far as in-game over the next two, three weeks, we expect all these games to be really competitive. But me personally, I would love to get John some reps if that situation does present itself,” O’Connell said. “Probably not something that needs to be talked about a ton ahead of time, as I feel great about how he prepares. I feel great about his readiness being one snap away – always. So that would just be something that may or may not come up, we’ll be ready for it. I do have a lot of confidence – although he hasn’t gotten any live action in games – I do have a lot of confidence in John and his preparation level. The consistency at which he approaches his role, both obviously backing up Jared, but also servicing one of the best defenses in the league every day. The way we practice, it really gave him an opportunity to play against a really good defense and have some competitive reps.”
In the preseason last year, Wolford threw three touchdown passes and no interceptions, completing 25 of his 44 pass attempts. He showed flashes of legitimate NFL talent, with good mobility and a quick release.
He won’t have the chance to start with the Rams, given Goff’s contract, but Wolford has the makings of a solid backup. McVay and his coaches wouldn’t feel so strongly about having him as the No. 2 quarterback if they didn’t see potential in him during practice.
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