Goff Inks Deal with Rams; Next Stop Back to Super Bowl?

After agreeing to terms on a four-year extension with Jared Goff, the Los Angeles Rams now have their franchise quarterback under contract through the 2024 season. According to reports, the $134 million deal includes $110 in guaranteed money, which is an NFL record.

Goff was entering the season on the fourth year of his five-year rookie contract in which he’s scheduled to earn 4.3 million for the season before a $22.8 million 2020 season.

Since being drafted in 2016, Goff has thrown for 9,581 yards, 65 touchdowns, and 26 interceptions while completing 62.1% of his passes. In his second season under head coach Sean McVay, the two-time Pro Bowler helped the Rams to their first Super Bowl appearance since 2001 last year.

With Goff now locked down for years to come, Los Angeles has its sights set on another Super Bowl run. Let’s take a look at whether or not Goff and the Rams have a clear path to that goal.

Goff’s Progression

In the modern NFL, where first-year quarterbacks are now expected to perform well, Goff’s rookie season was relatively disastrous. After being drafted first overall in 2016, Goff played in six games that year in which he passed for 1,089 yards, five touchdowns, and seven picks while completing just 54.6% of his passes.

However, a poor outlook for the young QB changed drastically after McVay got his hands on the former Cal signal-caller. In each of the next two seasons, Goff improved in nearly every category.

In 2017, Goff threw for 3,804 yards, 28 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while completing 62.1% of his passes. In 2018, Goff threw for 4,688 yards (4thin the NFL), 32 touchdowns, and 12 picks while completing 64.9% of his passes.

Although you’d like to see those completion percentages climb, even more, Goff has proven that he’s a capable NFL quarterback, even if McVay is owed much of the credit for the QB’s success.

With Goff returning, will the 2019 Rams replicate the success of the 2018 Rams?

2018 Rams Vs. 2019 Rams

Perhaps most important for Los Angeles is the return of their prolific head coach-quarterback combination. And let’s not forget about defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who helped the Rams to a 13-3 record a season ago as the league’s best defender.

However, not everything remains the same in Los Angeles.

First of all, there’s a cloud of uncertainty surrounding running back Todd Gurley, who fell off a cliff in terms of production late in the 2018 season, thanks in large part to injuries. Now, Gurley’s health and ability remain the biggest question marks for a player considered to be one of the best backs in football.

If Gurley isn’t the same running back, will Goff and this Rams offense take a step back?

The Rams also come into the season without two of the five linemen that made up the best rushing offensive line in football a year ago. And if inexperience on the line leads to more pressure in Goff’s face, the offensive will absolutely regress with Goff still struggling in that regard.

And let’s not forget that the Rams may not have even made it to the Super Bowl last season without the assist of perhaps the worst no-call in NFL history when Los Angeles defeated New Orleans in the NFC Championship game.

Do the Odds Say Rams Super Bowl?

As far as winning the Super Bowl is concerned, the Rams’ +850 odds put them in a group of four teams separated from the rest of the pack. Los Angeles trails only New England (+700), Kansas City (+800), and New Orleans (+800) in that regard.

Obviously, the Rams are more of a favorite to repeat as champions of the NFC. With +600 odds, Los Angeles trails only New Orleans (+400).

However, there’s a large number of contenders in the NFC. In addition to Philadelphia, who also sits at +600 odds, Chicago (+700) and Green Bay (+800) start the year with hopes of representing the NFC in the Super Bowl.

So, on top of sitting behind the favorite Saints, the amount of quality teams in the NFC means the Rams have a very tough road to the Super Bowl.