The St. Louis Rams are denying they have a quarterback issue on their hands, but any outsider looking in will say that is simply not true. Last season, starter Sam Bradford tore his ACL. His only backup, Kellen Clemons, stepped in and did a somewhat strong job to finish out the season. As the 2014 offseason approaches, many wonder what the future holds for Bradford. While the Rams are not offering up a contract extension, head coach Jeff Fisher is stressing he will be the starter come Week 1.
Coming off an ACL tear makers any quarterback's status uncertain no matter who he is. The former No. 1 draft pick says his rehab is coming along very well and he fully expects to be under center when the season starts. But do the Rams want him under center?
According to Jason LaCanfora of CBSSports.com, the St. Louis Rams will not be offering Bradford a contract extension this offseason. The quarterback is owed $27 million over the next two years. He will be a $17.6 million salary cap this upcoming season. Bradford has already received all the guaranteed money owed to him. A new contract would certainly ease the cap pain for the Rams, but that would mean the team will have to work in more guaranteed money and will be expected to keep Bradford for the long-term. According to reports, the St. Louis Rams are no longer sold on the quarterback as a franchise player.
Fisher is singing a different tune. Appearing on ESPN's Mike and Mike, the Rams head coach said the team is fully committed to Bradford and his future as the franchise quarterback.
Sam's doing great with the rehab," Fisher said, via ESPN.com. "He's really excited. He took on a leadership role last year and he's maintained that and he's our quarterback, and we've said that. We talk about extensions with all our players under contract. Whether or not we do so with him, I don't know where all this came from, but Sam's our quarterback. He's going to be under center."
The Rams need to look at their options at the quarterback position whether Bradford is a player for the future or not. The quarterback has played well, but not great. The team might not be releasing him considering his supporting cast has never been that great, but they need to bring in someone to boost competition. Clemons is not that player.
The Rams have the No. 2 and No. 13 pick in the upcoming draft, but neither will be used on a quarterback. St. Louis is unlikely to draft a quarterback at all this season and will likely look towards free agency to bring someone in. Josh McCown or Matt Cassel are strong options. Michael Vick is also a possibility. If Fisher is correct, the Rams will be patient with Bradford for at least the upcoming season. After that, nothing is guaranteed.