Rams Rumors: Jared Goff, Sean McVay's Relationship Needs 'Marriage Counseling'

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff appears to be on shaky ground with head coach Sean McVay.

NFL Network's Steve Wyche (h/t Nick Shook of NFL.com) reported Monday:

"I think a lot of people are wondering if they're going to bring in a veteran type of quarterback to push Jared Goff this offseason. Or at least have that threat there as a backup to see if they can elevate Goff."

"The people I've spoken to said basically at this moment the relationship with Goff and McVay: Not great. They need marriage counseling is what one person said to me. I think this is something that they're going to be able to work through, but there's got to be some healing and that's not just with Jared Goff's injured thumb."

McVay didn't exactly offer Goff a vote of confidence when he told reporters "all things are up for evaluation" regarding the future of the quarterback position and said "he's the quarterback right now" when asked if Goff was the team's top option at the position going forward.

McVay also said he wants competition at all positions, including quarterback.

"I'd say, I think as you grow, as you continue to learn, that's just where we're at," McVay said when asked about when he changed in his desire to have competition at quarterback. "I'm not saying anything other than we're evaluating that right now. I think it's important that you do that at every single spot and no position is excluded from that conversation."

Goff, 26, threw for 3,952 yards, 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 2020, completing 67 percent of his passes (a career high). After throwing for 60 touchdowns and only 19 interceptions between the 2017-18 seasons, Goff has thrown for 42 touchdowns and 29 interceptions in his last two seasons, which is a significant regression.

A few years ago, McVay and Goff appeared primed to have an excellent future together. One difference between Goff's strong first two seasons with the head coach and his mediocre showings over the past two years was the presence of running back Todd Gurley. 

In 2017-18, Gurley combined to rush for 2,556 yards and 30 touchdowns while adding 123 receptions for 1,368 yards and 10 scores. He was the centerpiece of the team's offense, equally dangerous as a runner and a receiver, and was one of the best offensive weapons in the NFL.

Last season, the Rams diminished Gurley's workload because of concerns about his left knee. He had a career-low 223 carries for 857 yards and 12 touchdowns and caught 31 passes for 207 yards and two scores. This year, he played for the Atlanta Falcons, while Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson Jr. and Malcolm Brown comprised a three-headed running back platoon that was unspectacular but solid. 

McVay's scheme and innovations were at least partially responsible for Goff's strong 2017-18 showings. But it's fair to question whether Gurley's otherworldly play also boosted Goff, the type of dynamic superstar presence the Rams offense lacks at the moment.