THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) - Jared Goff doesn’t plan to do much during the Los Angeles Rams’ six-week summer break before training camp begins.
When he isn’t working out, he’ll probably be playing video games and simultaneously bonding with his teammates, including new center Brian Allen.
“We play Fortnite together,” Goff said with a grin. “We’ll play a little Fortnite, talk about protections on the mics.”
Goff insists he won’t spend any of this time off worrying about his next contract - not even after Carson Wentz got paid by the Philadelphia Eagles.
“You definitely think about it,” Goff said Tuesday after the Rams’ final offseason practice. “But at the same time, I know that none of that is even possible without playing on the field, and being available on the field. I’ll just continue to do what I’ve been doing the last few years, and hopefully it will take care of itself.”
Goff was the first choice in the 2016 draft, while Wentz was the No. 2 pick. But while Goff is heading into the fourth season of his rookie contract this fall with no extension yet, Wentz is all set with a $128 million deal through 2024.
Given the quarterbacks’ many parallels - they even share the same agent, Ryan Tollner - the Eagles’ surprising decision amplified the spotlight on the Rams’ negotiations with Goff.
Yet Goff, coach Sean McVay and the front office all show absolutely no concern about the quarterback’s future with the Rams. Goff and coach Sean McVay both speak about their partnership as a long-term arrangement, with Goff’s next contract merely an expensive formality.
“With what Jared has done over the last couple of years, you can’t argue with the production, and how good we feel about him being our quarterback,” McVay said. “And we intend for that to be for a long time.”
For all of his regular-season brilliance, the injury-plagued Wentz has never played in a postseason game, while Goff has led the Rams to two NFC West titles and a Super Bowl over the past two seasons. If Wentz is worth more than $107 million guaranteed, Goff’s number is likely to be similarly staggering.
But Goff, who passed for 4,688 yards and 32 touchdowns last season, betrays zero public urgency to get a deal done. When asked for an ideal timeline to get his contract situation resolved, he only said: “whatever is right.”
“It’s not for me to worry about,” Goff said. “It’s for the team and my agent to work on, and keep doing what I’ve been doing on the field, and hopefully it will take care of itself.”
McVay is aware of the offseason whispers as observers attempt to come up with reasons why the Rams haven’t overwhelmed Goff with a big-money offer. He knows some football people believe Goff’s success is rooted squarely in McVay’s superb offensive schemes, while others wonder whether Goff’s late-season slump in production gave pause to Los Angeles’ interest in a long-term commitment.
McVay says it’s all nonsense.
“Any of the things or narratives that are out there - Jared Goff, as long as I’m fortunate enough to be in this role, hopefully this guy is stuck with me for a long time,” McVay said. “He’s an outstanding leader. People make a deal about this system, (but) he’s the reason why (it works). Our players are the reason why the system is what it is, because (Goff) can do so many different things. … He’s got true ownership, a great ability to communicate with his teammates, and with him leading the way, we feel really good.”
NOTES: The Rams’ mandatory minicamp lasted only one day. After several weeks of organized team activities, they’re done with group workouts until they reconvene for the start of training camp at UC Irvine on July 27. … RB Todd Gurley didn’t join offseason practices, but he worked out extensively at the training complex. “I don’t feel like I need to do OTAs,” Gurley said. “I know what I’ve done. I know what I can do.” Gurley insists his left knee is healthy enough to play after his effectiveness and workload were curtailed late last season, but he acknowledges the chatter won’t completely die down until he gets on the field for Los Angeles’ season opener. McVay also said Gurley will participate in practices during training camp. … DT Aaron Donald had permission to skip the Rams’ one-day minicamp because of a commitment back home in Pittsburgh. Donald has been a participant in the Rams’ recent workouts after missing most of the previous two offseason programs while negotiating his new contract.
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