For the first time in his career, Jared Goff will be forced to watch a game from the sidelines due to injury. And as unfortunate as it is, Sunday is the Rams’ most important game of the season – a game Goff won’t be suiting up for after breaking his thumb last week.
John Wolford will get the start in his place, his first action in a regular-season game. The Rams have shown unwavering confidence in Wolford leading up to this Week 17 tilt against the Cardinals, and everyone in the building is doing what they can to help the young quarterback out – Goff included.
“He shot me a text saying, ‘Hey, we have your back and anything you need, I got you,’” Wolford told reporters Wednesday. “So, he’s been there. He was out at practice today. He’s obviously been through this so many times and anything he sees, he’s passing onto me. Whether it’s a tip in coverage, a way we do something in the huddle, or how he uses the cadence. So, he’s been nothing but helpful and I’m appreciative for that.”
Wolford has been Goff’s backup all year, and the only other quarterback on the Rams’ 53-man roster. So he’s been out there in practice taking second-team reps throughout the season, just as he did in the summer during training camp. He’s built a rapport with Goff over the last two seasons, which will help him as he takes the field for the first time this week.
Wolford admitted he has a little bit of a different style at the position, reluctantly saying that he’s a little bit more athletic than Goff, which no one would disagree with after watching both guys play.
“I think obviously, I’m a little bit more – I don’t want to knock Jared’s athleticism, he’s a great athlete, he’s an NFL quarterback. – I think I am a little bit faster than him and can make a few more plays with my legs, but he’s done a great job for us,” Wolford said. “He’s been amazing to me and I have the utmost respect for how he’s treated me. There are some horror stories with some NFL vets and with a new young guy coming in, but he’s been great. So, I’m just nothing but grateful for his camaraderie and friendship.”
Wolford said “I hate that Jared got hurt,” but he’s prepared for this opportunity and to help lead the Rams into the playoffs. The other 10 guys around him on offense will do what they can to make this start as easy as possible for their new quarterback, so it’ll take a complete team effort to punch their ticket to the postseason.
[vertical-gallery id=643199]