To lead LA Rams, QB Jared Goff needs to restructure contract now

The LA Rams QB Jared Goff must earn the leadership of the team. To do so, he must insist upon restructuring his contract now

The world is changing all around the LA Rams and their franchise quarterback Jared Goff. With the restrictions imposed upon virtually every community to thwart the spread of the COVID-19 virus, hardships and tragedy are becoming commonplace. It’s not what anyone wanted, nor what anyone deserves. It simply is a new reality. And the new reality has changed everything for everyone.

The old reality found the Rams rolling the dice, spending lavishly upon their skillset players, and hoping to squeeze one more playoff appearance out of the roster.  The team fell short, and the Rams had to do what they could to stop the weight of those lavish spending from hampering the team’s chances to re-sign future free agents. So the team released running back Todd Gurley, swallowing a lot of dead money in 2020 to part ways with a still productive runner, to salvage 2021. Likewise, the Rams traded away wide receiver Brandin Cooks, and swallowed a lot of 2020 dead cap money, to salvage the 2021 flexibility for the team’s payroll.

The actions have left the team in salary cap purgatory, wondering how will the team pay for the 2020 NFL Draft class? So one of the few options left for the team now is to restructure the contract for quarterback Jared Goff, a move he now states he is open to do to create space.

Leadership prescribes a different path. Reality has changed now. And in that sharp curveball path of all that had, is, or will result in this new reality, being open to restructure that contract is no longer an option. It’s a mandate.

Of course, those words are theatrically over-dramatic. But let’s explore the “option route”? The team has painted itself into a corner with payroll dollars. Multiple popular players are no longer on the roster. This is not a “business as usual” moment. To lead the Rams requires a willingness to sacrifice for the common good. This is no longer an “I got mine, good luck getting yours” situation.

In an interview with Michael McClymont of The Score, Goff stated:

"“I think there’s been some stuff about being able to clear some cap space,” the quarterback said. “And if so, I’m all for it. I don’t see why not. It doesn’t change anything for me and helps the team out.”"

The catchphrase that jumps out here is the “it doesn’t change anything for me”.  That’s not what leadership is all about. He sits on the most guaranteed money ever awarded in the history of the NFL And this has nothing to do with competency at quarterback. He can be the franchise quarterback without showing a single iota of leadership. Leadership takes a far greater sense of responsibility, maturity, and most of all, humility.

Just think of the NFL great quarterbacks who have done so for the good of their team. Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady are just a few of the names that come to mind. That’s a pretty elite quarterback group in the NFL today.

The LA Rams could be special in 2020 and beyond. The Rams front office has already done most of the heavy lifting. Now would be a good time for Jared Goff to step up and go beyond the status quo. Restructuring should be the starting point between the Rams and Goff right now. If Jared Goff wants to be the leader of the LA Rams, I am delighted to welcome him to the role. But it’s a two-way street.  For the sake of his teammates, his organization, and his fans, I ask this one simple thing.

Give the fans one more undeniable reason to love you as the quarterback, Jared. Not from the statistics. But in proof that you love this team as much as your fans love you. Of course, it’s still a business, and everyone knows that. But insist on taking the lead to get the team out of this financial quagmire, whether restructure or even renegotiating that highly lucrative contract.

Do that, and you will be the unquestioned leader of the Rams in 2020.