Shortened preseason raises concerns about Rams backup QB situation...

Shortened preseason raises concerns about Rams' backup QB situation

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Cameron DaSilva

The Rams have put an alarmingly large amount of faith in three quarterbacks who have never taken a snap in the NFL as backup options behind Jared Goff. They currently have John Wolford, Bryce Perkins and Josh Love as candidates to replace Blake Bortles as Goff’s backup, though all three of them went undrafted in the last three years.

It’s hard to be confident in that group of unproven players, especially with the NFL now trimming two weeks from the preseason. That means the Rams will have even less time to evaluate their backup quarterbacks in game action, raising even greater concerns about the situation.

Wolford is the most experienced of the bunch and has a slight edge as of now, but he’s only attempted 44 preseason passes in his career. Perkins and Love went undrafted this year and have proved nothing in the NFL just yet.

While they must understand the league’s approach to the preseason, the Rams can’t be thrilled about the league trimming two games from the schedule. Wolford, Perkins and Love needed as many reps and as much playing time as they could get, but now they’ll have to split reps across just two games.

Will the Rams give Wolford significantly more playing time in the preseason, knowing he’s the top candidate for the backup job? Or will they evenly split the reps and hope one of the three players emerges in a big way as the clear-cut choice to back Goff up?

Even with four exhibition games, the backup quarterback group was a major concern; Gil Brandt of NFL.com called it one of the NFL’s biggest roster holes. Now, it’s an even bigger red flag.

The Rams should strongly consider signing a veteran to come in and compete for the backup job. Blake Bortles spent last year with the Rams and should have a firm grasp of Sean McVay’s system. Matt Moore stepped in for Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City and kept the Chiefs afloat for a few weeks last year.

Both players would be decent options for the Rams, at least giving them a decent fallback plan in the event that all three of their young quarterbacks struggle in camp and the preseason. This is certainly a situation worth monitoring.