The combination of a $134 million contract and a disappointing 2019 season have fans and media members doubting the ability of Jared Goff to truly be a franchise quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams. There were factors that played into his regression last season, like the constant changes on the offensive line and the lack of support from the running game, but Goff was certainly to blame for his own struggles, too.
He’s received votes of confidence from those inside the walls of the Rams’ facility, most notably with Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp and Sean McVay backing the young quarterback. Brandin Cooks has joined the chorus, saying unequivocally that Goff is the guy to lead the Rams back to prominence.
“Absolutely. Yes, he is the guy,” Cooks told Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire. “I mean, you talk about a guy that … we had so many different position changes along the offensive line last year. And for any quarterback, that is so tough. To still be able to stand in there and take the licks, it goes to show you that this guy is willing to do whatever it takes to win for his team. And at that young an age, when you have that mindset, special things happen.”
Cooks, himself, had a down year in 2019, too. He caught a career-low 42 passes for 583 yards and two touchdowns, averaging only three catches per game – 1.1 fewer catches per game than his previous low.
He and Goff didn’t connect on many deep passes at all in 2019, which is Cooks’ forte. It didn’t help that Cooks missed two games after suffering two concussions over the course of the season, which limited his practice time and availability.
Cooks and Goff should both bounce back in 2020 as the Rams attempt to regain the magic they found in 2017 and 2018.