Jared Goff has improved each year he’s been in the NFL, earning Pro Bowl selections in the last two seasons. Unless something goes drastically wrong, he figures to be the Los Angeles Rams’ quarterback for a long time.
As many players do, though, he’ll have to wait to sign that life-changing deal. The Rams still have him under contract for the next two years and could even use the franchise tag on him in 2021, if need be. Los Angeles likely won’t let it get to that point and won’t want to play a game of tag the way the Redskins did with Kirk Cousins, but the front office is going to be patient.
Les Snead said at the combine that any contract talks with Goff won’t take place until after the draft, and on Tuesday, Sean McVay echoed a similar sentiment about the Rams’ patience. He said they haven’t gotten in depth about those talks yet and is unsure when Goff will be signed long term.
McVay’s comments aren’t meant to suggest that Goff isn’t important or that his future in L.A. isn’t a priority. The Rams want to keep him around for the foreseeable future, but rushing to get a contract done is unnecessary.
With two years left on his contract and very little cap space in 2019, the Rams would be wise to wait a year to sign him. Most likely, any extension Goff signs will be worth at least $30 million per year, and while his price will go up the longer the Rams wait – assuming he keeps playing at a high level – his contract isn’t among the highest priorities.
This time next year, talks will probably heat up, but don’t expect them to just yet.
