3 takeaways from QB John Wolford’s command of LA Rams offense

He deserves the primary backup role

Has LA Rams quarterback put in his dues for a shot to backup Jared Goff? That’s not exactly how this should, or will, work.  After all, the question is never raised if a player is drafted in the first round in the NFL draft.  So why should it work that way for a backup? So far, it’s not working that way for the Rams. The Rams roster is based on the merit system. The fact that John Wolford is the presumed backup quarterback already means that he’s earned the role.

While he wasn’t drafted early in the 2018 NFL Draft, he’s certainly made the most of his NFL opportunities since.  He was signed after the 2018 draft by the New York Jets.  After his release from the Jets, the Rams added Wolford to their quarterbacks’ squad in the spring of 2019 along with veteran quarterback Blake Bortles.

2019 preseason hero

It was Wolford’s 2019 preseason performance that caught the LA Rams coaches attention. In the preseason, Wolford was just,. very effective. In four preseason games in 2019, he passed for 54, 26, 105, and 64 yards.  But he did pass for three touchdowns and threw no interceptions. While that may not seem like much, it was very impressive for a player who shared time with other quarterbacks in each game.

Wolford made the most of what he was given. And so far, he is picking right up in the 2020 training camp.  In the scrimmage game, Wolford was able to score against both the first and second string. In one sequence, he tossed a needle threader to Nsimba Webster. In the other, he put one out there to the rookie wide receiver Van Jefferson, who dragged a toe to get the second touchdown.  One scrimmage, a couple of touchdowns. What’s not to love?