The Rams’ three quarterbacks behind Jared Goff on the depth chart have combined to take exactly zero regular-season snaps in the NFL. They’re all undrafted, two of them being rookies from the 2020 class.
John Wolford was signed as a free agent last year after shining in the AAF, but he spent the entire season on the practice squad. It’s reasonable to be concerned about him being one play away from starting for the Rams, but Kevin O’Connell doesn’t share that sentiment.
The Rams’ new offensive coordinator is pleased with the progress Wolford has made this offseason despite the lack of OTAs and minicamp, making it clear that he’s confident in the young quarterback as Goff’s backup.
“First and foremost, with John, I’m really happy with where he’s at right now,” O’Connell said on a conference call Saturday. “Obviously, coming in not getting the spring, the repetitions we hoped to get for John, it puts a certain amount of importance on everything we do here in training camp, but that’s all the quarterbacks really. You know, all four of them that we have in camp right now, including (QB) Jared, Bryce (Perkins) and Josh (Love), as well as John. But John is going to get a lot of reps, he’s going to get a lot of opportunities to really lead a group in that huddle with him, that maybe some young players, maybe some guys that have been around here that are ready to compete. So, I think he’s going to be in a great situation in that huddle, being able to lead that group.”
Wolford will get second-team reps in practice while Goff works with the starters, but he should get some chances to play with and against first-team contributors when the Rams hold scrimmages at SoFi Stadium.
Up until this point, he’s received high praise from the Rams’ coaches, which should only get better as he continues working this offseason.
“He’s prepared, he’s incredibly smart. I’ve been really happy with how he’s progressed fundamentally and he’s throwing the ball really well,” O’Connell said. “It’s just a matter now of, as we transition to playing real football, competitive full speed reps, how many times can he consistency go out there, do his job, and put our offense in a great position to have success? And you know, I don’t worry too much with John about the experience, just because I’ve seen him work already and just as you get in the meeting rooming with him you know he’s prepared to be a professional quarterback and he operates every single day on that basis. And it’s our job to get him ready to play if he were called upon.”