The Los Angeles Rams have been fortunate to have a healthy Jared Goff at quarterback. This offseason, LA needs to go find a competent backup to replace a below-average Sean Mannion.
Mannion, a 2015 third-round pick from Oregon State, is one player the Rams have limped along with for too many seasons now. While clearly competent at holding the clipboard, fans in Los Angeles would shudder if he had to take any snaps in a regular season game.
And that’s the problem.
The Rams have, by in large, avoided injury to quarterback Jared Goff. Goff, who has been blessed to have consistent protection along the offensive line, did get knocked to the ground by the better defenses LA faced this season. Fortunately for the Rams, none of those sacks resulted in Mannion needing to make an appearance.
In three unwatchable preseason games in 2018, Mannion completed 24 passes on 46 attempts, racking up a whopping 168 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
It’s worth noting that head coach Sean McVay didn’t play his starters on offense. Players like Goff, Todd Gurley, and the offensive line did not appear in any exhibition games. Mannion had the reserves all to himself, playing against other reserves, and still looked less than pedestrian.
This isn’t to bang on the backup quarterback, but the Rams cannot say they are in a good place should Goff suffer an injury. Whether it’s for a snap or two, a quarter of football, or for any number of games, Mannion is not the guy. Not in preseason games, and certainly not in those games that matter most.
As good as Los Angeles has been for two seasons now, including a 13-3 campaign that saw them reach the Super Bowl, depth at the quarterback position is in play heading into 2019. Fortunately for fans. both McVay and General Manager Les Snead have shown the ability to attract solid talent. A backup quarterback could be had in either free agency or at the upcoming NFL Draft.
Mannion has shown himself to be an average quarterback at best. An argument can be made if his skill level is even on par with what should be expected from the guy second on the QB depth chart.
This offseason, it’s time the Rams go shopping for someone better to work behind Goff, as keeping Mannion would be a disaster worth avoiding.
