Why are the LA Rams are enamored with mobile QBs?

The LA Rams have watched their offense regress from the top-ranked scoring offense of 2017, to the 23rd-ranked scoring offense of 2020. It’s a problem for the team that needs to be addressed this offseason. We’ve noticed it, and the organization has noticed it.  But most of all, LA Rams head coach Sean McVay has noticed it, and he is obviously not very happy about it.

Now, the question is: What are the LA Rams going to do about it? While there is certainly plenty that will need to be worked out, there is one crystal clear direction that the Rams have already moved towards, and that is embracing the concept of a mobile quarterback. The team carried two of three quarterbacks throughout 2020 who were considered mobile.

The trend to mobile quarterbacks continues into this year as the Rams have added Devlin Hodges, a.k.a. ‘Duck’, to a future/reserves contract. That brings the quarterback total to four, and three are mobile. So what is it that enamors the Rams organization with a quarterback’s ability to run and throw from the pocket?

For starters, it’s all about the numbers game. With a pocket passer, a defense must account for just 10 offensive players. By all accounts, the quarterback does not advance the ball in the offense. Rather, he throws the ball to the receiver. That quarterback is predictable, when he throws, it is typically from the same spot. Defenses count on that, and can scheme any number of ways to negate blockers and get to that spot.

But with a mobile quarterback, suddenly the advantage reverts back to the offensive side of the ball, because defenses must now account for a quarterback in the offense as well.  And since mobile quarterbacks can run as well as pass,  offenses can make better use of the blocking back. Now, offenses can rush or pass with a running back who blocks well. Based on the one game we witnessed with John Wolford, these are the main reasons that jumped out at us: