Did his progression read atrophy?
Goff did not have the issue in college, where he was a primary reason for the success of California’s Air-Raid offense. In fact, it was Goff’s ability to make quick reads to the correct outlet option that propelled him to the first player selected in the 2016 NFL Draft. In fact, it was Mark Schofield’s intensive scouting analysis which propelled Goff to the top of the pile. In that analysis, he praises Goff for his ability to slide well enough to extend the offensive play, and then reacting quickly as any one of the multiple receivers clears the coverage. So what’s gone wrong?
Well, the progression reads from his days at California were rooted in an Air Raid offense, which truly simplified his reads and allowed Goff to shine. The LA Rams ran the ball effectively enough in Goff’s early NFL career to give a similar style of quick and simple progression reads.
LB Bobby Wagner disagrees
But there is another viewpoint to hear from. And surprisingly, the biggest defender of LA Rams QB Jared Goff may be Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker, Bobby Wagner:
"“Just his reads, the way he picks up reads,” Wagner told Seattle reporters this week. “He’s really, really good at play action. He’s able to get outside the pocket, get the ball to his targets really, really fast. He makes really good reads at the line, good checks at the line. That’s probably what stands out to me.” – Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner"
– interview of Bobby Wagner per TheRams.com Stu Jackson’s October 3, 2019 article
So what is the right answer? Is Goff just naturally bad at progression reads, did he backslide, or is there another contributing factor?