3 Reasons Jared Goff Is Struggling Without Sean McVay
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay admitted that he should have handled the Matthew Stafford–Jared Goff trade better.
He wished that he communicated more with his former quarterback, who is now with the Detroit Lions.
However, his regrets remain relational because there’s no doubt that Stafford is an upgrade from Goff.
The Rams hijacked their future by throwing in two first-round draft picks as part of the quarterback swap.
But that’s a gamble they’d take, given that Stafford kept on putting up impressive numbers despite playing with a weaker roster.
On the other hand, Goff regressed since their Super Bowl season and even lost his job for a while to John Wolford.
The discrepancy between the two Pro Bowl play-callers continues to grow with each game passing.
Through six games, Stafford has 1,838 yards, 16 touchdowns, and only four interceptions.
He completed 69.5 percent of his passes for an average of 9.2 yards per catch.
Meanwhile, Goff has 1,505 yards, seven touchdowns, and four picks.
His completion rate was at 66.8 percent, and he gained 6.3 yards per reception.
The Rams are also high on Stafford despite his extensive injury history because they have an offensive line that could protect him.
As for Goff, the dip in his production continues, and he is yet to lead the Lions to victory.
It’s evident that he’s struggling apart from McVay, and here’s why.
3. The Rams Are Way Better
Cooper Kupp has been the biggest beneficiary of Stafford’s arrival.
The wide receiver from Eastern Washington lags only Davante Adams in receiving yards (653) and leads the league in passing touchdowns with seven.
Kupp is also third in yards per game with 108.8 and only one of three receivers who average over 100 yards each contest.
But if opposing defenses put an extra defender on Kupp, Robert Woods or Van Jefferson can make them pay.
The Rams can also mix up their offense because Kupp and Woods are decent run-blocking receivers.
Combine that with their dominating offensive line, and it makes the job of Darrell Henderson Jr. and Sony Michel easier.
Henderson ranks 10th in rushing yards with 372 and has four touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Michel has 205 yards and a score.
Compare that unit to what Goff has in Detroit.
The Lions’ receiving corps does not stack up with the Rams, especially when you consider that tight end T.J. Hockenson leads the team in receiving yards with 311.
Running back D’Andre Swift is second with 295, and Kalif Raymond is their best wideout with 219 yards.
Kupp alone has more receiving touchdowns than Lions receivers Raymond, Quintez Cephus, and Amon-Ra St. Brown combined (four).
If Goff struggled with a talented unit, he certainly would with one of the NFL’s worst.
2. Not Much Variation On The Lions Offense
If you know that your receivers lack talent, you establish the run game to help loosen the pass coverages.
Unfortunately, the Lions are not attempting enough rushing plays either.
Detroit averages 20.8 run plays per game, and the most they had in one game was 26.
They had games wherein their running backs had 15 and 17 tries which makes their offense more predictable.
The run plays may not gain big yardage, but it keeps the defense guessing what’s coming.
It also helps them maximize the talents of their backfield tandem, who has the potential of being game-changers.
1. Learning A New Offense Isn’t Easy
Perhaps Goff is still in the learning curve on Dan Campbell‘s system, which is different from what McVay has.
The jargon and the differences in priorities and formations can confuse even the best of quarterbacks.
Don’t forget that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers struggled early during their Super Bowl season because Tom Brady was learning the ropes of Bruce Arians’ offense.
Worst, they had no training camp due to COVID-19.
If Goff is still adapting to the new offense, it will come when it eventually clicks.
Unfortunately, time is running out for the Lions, and Goff must master the playbook sooner than later.
