Rams McVay should keep one eye on Goff and one on the Redskins

Let’s not pretend that Los Angeles Rams fans don’t wonder what a different quarterback under center might look like. For Sean McVay, he might be thinking the same thing. He might actually have a specific one in mind.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay has a lot to keep his eyes on as he steers towards his inaugural season as an NFL head coach. From unmistakable youth at key positions, a quarterback with many unanswered questions, and a schedule that is one of the toughest in the league, season one has a ton of moving parts.

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Ok, now let’s have a moment of honesty. There is hope, an undeniable hope, that Jared Goff works out as a starting quarterback in Los Angeles. But let’s also not kid ourselves that while coach McVay will have one eye on the organization’s top overall pick from 2016, he’ll also have one eye on the happenings in our nation’s capital.

Specifically, Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Now before you start hurling your complaints that all I do is bash on Goff, answer one question honestly: how many games does Cousins win if he were in a Rams uni in 2017 versus how many Goff does?

This isn’t about whether I like or dislike the kid sitting on top of the Rams quarterback depth chart. It is, after all, about who helps Los Angeles win more games.

One other thing, it is still the summer of 2017, and a lot will happen between now and next year when hard decisions in both cities may have to be made.

But it’s worth kicking around, and it would be absolute malpractice if the organization weren’t willing to take a few “long views” on such ideas.

Know this, whatever happened last season can’t be allowed to continue beyond this one. The Rams need a definitive road map and a settled leader at the quarterback position. Whatever you may think of Goff, if he improves to the point where the ceiling is suddenly limitless or at least exceedingly high, it’ll all be on him.

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But don’t expect Los Angeles to provide a very long leash. The Rams need to begin winning and making progress to .500 and beyond, with or without Goff.

The future in LA just isn’t beholden to him.

So, why not Cousins instead?