LA Rams complete 2022 restricted free agent ranking

Backup QB

Background – Quarterback John Wolford (ERFA) has been entrusted to be the team’s backup quarterback for two seasons and to run the scouting team in the process. For head coach Sean McVay, Wolford has been outstanding at it. So why fix it if it isn’t broken? The LA Rams have been incredibly fortunate to have durable starting quarterbacks throughout HC Sean McVay’s tenure, so the backup quarterback is more administrating the scouting team, than producing on game day.

Strengths – He is a mobile quarterback who has created concerns over his durability. But he is fearless under center. Because he is such a different style of play than the starter, he gets an immediate advantage because pass rushes fail to think about containing him when he takes off running. So, he takes off running and is wise about when he chooses to do so. Unfortunately, he has not mastered the slide of surrender and gets banged up pretty severely when he is tackled.

Weaknesses – at 6-foot-1 and 200-pounds, he needs to move the pocket in order to create passing lanes. That necessity to create a dynamic pocket eliminates some passing routes and places a lot of pressure on the offensive line. He’s not accurate completing just 54.8 percent of his career passes for 236 yards, no TDs, and two interceptions. He is vulnerable to injury as well. Not only was he injured early in just his second game, but he was injured early in this year as well. But perhaps most of all, his style of play simply does not align with the same skillsets of starting quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Team Impact – He has a record of 1-0 as an NFL starter. Unfortunately, that win was as much a result of the defense. He has a strong enough arm and can move the chains by scrambling for a first down. If the LA Rams need him to start more than one game, they will need to go heavy on running the football and picking their spots to pass.

Estimated market value -If the LA Rams decline the opportunity to extend him, he could sign a minimal $1-2 million one-year contract on a prove-it basis.

Projected team action – Rams will offer the minimal NFL salary required to extend him another year. That will cost the team less than $1 million to extend him for one more season.

Most likely team to sign him – LA Rams. If they opt not to bring him back, look for him to garner interest among teams with a mobile quarterback. The Arizona Cardinals may be interested, as much for his knowledge of the Rams offense as for what he can do in their offense.