Wolford, Stafford and other thoughts

[oldnotdead]

John is starting on Sunday and I think I understand the reasoning. Wolford is a RFA in March. The Rams at this point are probably going to either not tender him making him a UFA or tender him right of first refusal. So they need to know if he is going to be in their plans beyond this year. IMO probably not and frankly I think they won't tender him. Perkins played well enough to earn himself the #2 QB next year. With another year of physical training, i.e. strengthening and reading defenses I think they won't expose him again this season. Perkins is an ERA next year so they control his rights through 2023. If they pick up a QB I think it will be in the 6th round as a developmental backup much the same way they did with Perkins.

I still believe that they will wait until 2024 to draft their QB of the future because I believe that Stafford is year to year injury wise with his career. If he gets another serious concussion I think he will pull the plug in 2024. The Rams would be okay if he retired in 2024. The dead cap is manageable. Regardless I don't see him playing beyond 2025. If he retires or is released in 2025 they would save about $26M on the cap.

Two things to remember about 2024, are that both Burrow and Herbert are both in line for their 5th year option extension. Before you say no way to each of those guys, if the Bengals and Chargers struggle what's to say both, or maybe one won't want out? We've seen Snead pull rabbits out of his hat with Ramsey and Stafford. If Snead hangs on to all his 1st rounders as I think he will, he would give 3 first round picks for either of those guys. The Chargers especially might be interested.

All this makes picking up an edge of the future to replace AD's impact when he retires after 2023 all the more important next year. We could get our first look at Hardy this weekend.

 

[Oregonram]

I’m not sure Stafford lasts until 2025, unless the Rams show a real commitment to the OL and a real running game…not the junior high version we’ve been running. I know he makes insane money, but if the smartest offensive mind cannot develop more weapons than just Kupp, then there are more important things to live for. I do have faith that the Rams are in for a bit of an overhaul…hoping for a good direction to develop over this offseason.

 

[Kupped]

Perkins is not an NFL QB.
Since this is a dedicated post.. I'll repeat this..
Wolford is most likely back as the backup next year.. but they need to draft a QB with some real potential. They'll need to carry three QBs.. unless/until that rookie shows enough to be relied on.
They're not going to spend relatively big $ on a backup... too many needs.

 

[Loyal]

What, no Havenstein trade news?

 

[Jacobarch]

I'd dump both wolf and Perkins. They serve zero purpose. Draft a QB next year with potential and if Stafford gets hurt again he isn't going to be any worse than Perkins or Wolf.

 

[snackdaddy]

I'd dump both wolf and Perkins. They serve zero purpose. Draft a QB next year with potential and if Stafford gets hurt again he isn't going to be any worse than Perkins or Wolf.

Unless the next 6 games shows improvement with more snaps, yeah, I'd agree drafting someone with potential would not be any worse than Wolford or Perkins. And I really don't expect improvement over the next 6 games. You either have it or you don't. I don't see either of them having it. Look for a guy on day 3 with a strong arm and mobility. Maybe they can coach him up.

 

[Ram Ts]

I'd dump both wolf and Perkins. They serve zero purpose. Draft a QB next year with potential and if Stafford gets hurt again he isn't going to be any worse than Perkins or Wolf.

Bingo. Unless your QB is guaranteed to stay healthy all year (good luck with that), either of these guys as your #2 is idiotic. Perkins is a good #3 and can be used in short yardage setups with the right OC mind. But he is not an NFL QB at all.

With staffords injuries and this OL, we need a competent and real NFL backup QB.

 

[Kupped]

I seriously doubt they're going into a season with a rookie mid-round pick as their only backup.

Maybe the backup is Wolford, maybe not. But if they want to develop someone, they're keeping 3, at least to start the season, imo.

 

[RamDino]

I'd like to see the Rams make a play for that backup in Baltimore. Right after Jackson signs a new deal.

 

[ArkyRamsFan]

What, no Havenstein trade news?

Well not quite, Loyal. You'll note that OND did not even mention Havenstein one time in his post. I'm not sure but this might be a first and yet we should probably interpret this omission to mean that in his mind Hav is already cut and gone.
So, nope, no trade news

~ArkyRamsFan~

 

[Allen2McVay]

I guess many of us would like to see a viable back-up-QB option but that's going to be tough.

Looking at the pending free agents QBs, there are two categories in my opinion.

The first are the young veterans who will (and should) be thinking about $ and some opportunity to start. That would be players like Daniel Jones (if the Giants do not try to re-sign him), Baker Mayfield and Garoppolo (assuming the Niners don't win the Super Bowl).

Assuming Stafford returns, I don't see these guys as options.

Then there's the veterans that will accept a back-up role and can win some starts but want to get well-paid. Players like Keenum, Dalton, Brissett and Bridgewater. Also do not see these guys as options because the Rams won't pay enough.

The one guy that does jump-out to me is Sam Darnold. He's made $50M already, and will only be 26 next year. He's had brief moments but mostly struggled with two different weak, east-coast teams. Maybe another weak team offers him an opportunity to compete for a starting role. However, a smarter move might be to look for a one-year, soft-landing-spot.

The Rams would give Darnold an opportunity to come home, play on a good (Hopefully) team, with an offensive head coach and back-up a veteran-QB, coming off an injury (one snap from starting). A low-base contract with playing-time incentives. It could jump-start Darnold's career, or just clear his head and he could hit free agency again in 2024.

I realize this is a reach but I am trying to get the Rams a decent-to-good (and affordable) back-up-QB in 2023.

I'm trying Damn-it!

 

[fearsomefour]

Perkins is not an NFL QB.
Since this is a dedicated post.. I'll repeat this..
Wolford is most likely back as the backup next year.. but they need to draft a QB with some real potential. They'll need to carry three QBs.. unless/until that rookie shows enough to be relied on.
They're not going to spend relatively big $ on a backup... too many needs.

My disappointment with Wolford is the ball sailing on him.
We saw that when he played before but honestly not as bad. That can be a lack of arm strength issue or dropping the elbow. He's not a huge guy, so, it may even be a grip thing.
McVay pretty clearly trusts him more to run the offense......problem is, is there a plausible offense left to run?
Id like to see both QBs get some reps to be honest....mix run and pass with both and see if someone gets hot.

 

[blackbart]

I guess many of us would like to see a viable back-up-QB option but that's going to be tough.

Looking at the pending free agents QBs, there are two categories in my opinion.

The first are the young veterans who will (and should) be thinking about $ and some opportunity to start. That would be players like Daniel Jones (if the Giants do not try to re-sign him), Baker Mayfield and Garoppolo (assuming the Niners don't win the Super Bowl).

Assuming Stafford returns, I don't see these guys as options.

Then there's the veterans that will accept a back-up role and can win some starts but want to get well-paid. Players like Keenum, Dalton, Brissett and Bridgewater. Also do not see these guys as options because the Rams won't pay enough.

The one guy that does jump-out to me is Sam Darnold. He's made $50M already, and will only be 26 next year. He's had brief moments but mostly struggled with two different weak, east-coast teams. Maybe another weak team offers him an opportunity to compete for a starting role. However, a smarter move might be to look for a one-year, soft-landing-spot.

The Rams would give Darnold an opportunity to come home, play on a good (Hopefully) team, with an offensive head coach and back-up a veteran-QB, coming off an injury (one snap from starting). A low-base contract with playing-time incentives. It could jump-start Darnold's career, or just clear his head and he could hit free agency again in 2024.

I realize this is a reach but I am trying to get the Rams a decent-to-good (and affordable) back-up-QB in 2023.

I'm trying Damn-it!

I like that scenario, they need to move on from both Wolford and Perkins neither will ever be a viable option. Cut bait now.

 

[jrry32]

Neither Perkins nor Wolford has any business being the #2 QB on this team next year. What games have you been watching? The Rams need to go after a legit #2 QB. Perkins isn't a NFL QB.

 

[jrry32]

I guess many of us would like to see a viable back-up-QB option but that's going to be tough.

Looking at the pending free agents QBs, there are two categories in my opinion.

The first are the young veterans who will (and should) be thinking about $ and some opportunity to start. That would be players like Daniel Jones (if the Giants do not try to re-sign him), Baker Mayfield and Garoppolo (assuming the Niners don't win the Super Bowl).

Assuming Stafford returns, I don't see these guys as options.

Then there's the veterans that will accept a back-up role and can win some starts but want to get well-paid. Players like Keenum, Dalton, Brissett and Bridgewater. Also do not see these guys as options because the Rams won't pay enough.

The one guy that does jump-out to me is Sam Darnold. He's made $50M already, and will only be 26 next year. He's had brief moments but mostly struggled with two different weak, east-coast teams. Maybe another weak team offers him an opportunity to compete for a starting role. However, a smarter move might be to look for a one-year, soft-landing-spot.

The Rams would give Darnold an opportunity to come home, play on a good (Hopefully) team, with an offensive head coach and back-up a veteran-QB, coming off an injury (one snap from starting). A low-base contract with playing-time incentives. It could jump-start Darnold's career, or just clear his head and he could hit free agency again in 2024.

I realize this is a reach but I am trying to get the Rams a decent-to-good (and affordable) back-up-QB in 2023.

I'm trying Damn-it!

I think Baker is the guy. McVay loved him as a prospect. He reportedly said he would have traded the farm for Baker if we didn't have Goff. Baker is at a crossroads for his career. I think he'll be willing to accept a cheaper deal to find the right situation. This is a great situation for him.

It's a win-win all around. Baker comes here to work on his game under a heralded offensive coach, and if Stafford returns, we have a good backup. I want nothing to do with Sam Darnold. He started for years and never looked like a guy who could be something imo.

 

[CGI_Ram]

I think Baker is the guy. McVay loved him as a prospect. He reportedly said he would have traded the farm for Baker if we didn't have Goff. Baker is at a crossroads for his career. I think he'll be willing to accept a cheaper deal to find the right situation. This is a great situation for him.

It's a win-win all around. Baker comes here to work on his game under a heralded offensive coach, and if Stafford returns, we have a good backup. I want nothing to do with Sam Darnold. He started for years and never looked like a guy who could be something imo.

This scenario DOES make sense.

I don’t think any teams will be offering Mayfield a starters job next season.

 

[dieterbrock]

Only reason Wolford and Perkins are the back up is strictly due to it being the lowest cost possible.
Now that the possibility of the #2 having to play, the Rams will have to get a legit backup. How much they want to spend/how much it will cost remains to be seen. I don’t see McVay wanting to develop a young QB, or groom one.

 

[Tano]

I think Baker is the guy. McVay loved him as a prospect. He reportedly said he would have traded the farm for Baker if we didn't have Goff. Baker is at a crossroads for his career. I think he'll be willing to accept a cheaper deal to find the right situation. This is a great situation for him.

It's a win-win all around. Baker comes here to work on his game under a heralded offensive coach, and if Stafford returns, we have a good backup. I want nothing to do with Sam Darnold. He started for years and never looked like a guy who could be something imo.

Now that would have been the stupidest trade of all time

He would be a decent back-up but he is not a starting QB

And whatever happened to the Baker living at the Cleveland stadium commercials

 

[nighttrain]

I want, and expect to see QB Case Cookus, the 6'4" All Conference kid from Northern Arizona, more likely than Mayfield..
train

 

[RamWoodie]

I'm in disagreement on Perkins. I see real potential in the guy...BUT...from what I've seen, to me it's obvious Perkins hasn't been getting the work he needs. The guy is basically a rookie. I'd rather see him start today than Wolford. As has been said, Wolford's ball sails on him, which is from bad footwork throwing.

I've been wrong before...but I'd rather have Perkins out there. If he doesn't start...I'd be willing to bet he comes in to replace Wolford, or...McVay will use both guys today.

As for Stafford...I think he's here for another year and hangs it up.