Who is the rams backup qb

The Los Angeles Rams signed quarterback Luis Perez on Saturday, per a team announcement.

Perez originally signed with Los Angeles as an undrafted free agent in 2018, where he competed for a backup role behind Jared Goff. Perez was released before the regular season and spent about two weeks on the team’s practice squad - he’s since bounced around various professional football leagues but mostly outside of the NFL.

Perez’ most successful stint was with the Birmingham Iron in the Alliance of American Football (AAF). The quarterback started eight games and led Birmingham to a 5-3 record, which was good enough to clinch a playoff berth two weeks before the end of the regular season. However, the AAF struggled with financial backing and was forced to suspend its operations before the regular season concluded.

Perez joins John Wolford and Bryce Perkins as the backups to Matthew Stafford. Wolford seems to have a solid grip on number two position, so Perez is likely battling with Perkins for the third spot - if the team even elects to keep three QB’s.

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If everything goes according to plan for the Los Angeles Rams, backup quarterbacks John Wolford and Bryce Perkins would never see the field during the regular season or playoffs.

Even though Matthew Stafford battled through injuries during the 2021 season he did not miss any time as a result. Wolford took offensive snaps in three games, but this playing time came in blowout victories over the New York Giants, Houston Texans, and Jacksonville Jaguars.

While the Rams were incredibly successful against these teams, Wolford was not - and his performance in this limited action should be cause for concern moving forward.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WolfJo00/gamelog/2021/

When backup quarterbacks come in during blowout victories the play calling is typically hyper-conservative and run-heavy; however, Wolford managed to throw an interception against the Giants on only two attempts - his only completion was to the other team.

It didn’t get better for the backup quarterback against the Texans - Wolford dropped back three times resulting in a 8-yard sack, a 5-yard completion, and turnover-worthy pass that fell incomplete.

In the only regular season start of his career, the Rams defense scored more touchdowns (1) than Wolford’s offense. He finished that game with a completion percentage of 58% and an interception.

With Wolford sitting out of the 2021 preseason - he was recovering from appendicitis but also the Rams typically rest key players - it’s difficult to know where his develop currently sits. Has Wolford been better behind the scenes, earning the confidence of the coaching staff? Or is backup quarterback a ticking time bomb for a team that hopes to compete for a championship again in 2022?

The only realistic alternative this season is Bryce Perkins, who is far from a lock to make the team’s final roster.

While Perkins’ athleticism was impressive during the three exhibition games, he did not flash the ability to push the ball downfield on a consistent basis - and this is an extremely important element of LA’s passing attack.

It’s possible that the mobility of Perkins gives him a lower ceiling should the Rams need to replace Stafford in the short-term, though Wolford is a better fit from a traditional drop back perspective.

Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

So what should have been the answer for the Rams behind Stafford - and what should the plan be moving forward?

Did the team need to acquire someone like Chase Daniel, Marcus Mariota, or Andy Dalton? Probably not.

But the Rams could have nabbed Trevor Siemian or Kyle Allen for around $2-2.5M per year. They could have selected a quarterback in the draft for the first time under head coach Sean McVay - and anyone drafted in theory would have offered more upside than the undrafted Wolford and Perkins.

Take Kansas State’s Skylar Thompson for example - drafted in the seventh round by the Miami Dolphins who had already signed Teddy Bridgewater in free agency. After drafting Thompson the Dolphins released Chris Streveler, who had previously served as the backup to Kyler Murray with the Arizona Cardinals. Thompson went later in the draft because he is already 24 years old. While he has all the traits you’d like to see in a big, strong-armed developmental quarterback, he was oft-injured at Kansas State.

This is just one way the Rams could have elevated their quarterback room, but instead they chose to stand pat.

After battling nagging injuries in 2021, Stafford isn’t throwing in OTA’s due to an injection in his throwing arm. He’s 34.

While no one wants to see him injured and miss time, 2-3 bad games from either Wolford or Perkins could be enough to prevent the team from making the playoffs. A backup quarterback isn’t going to take you to the Super Bowl if your starter misses the playoffs, but they can keep you on track long enough to earn you a spot in the tournament.

Hopefully we aren’t left reflecting on what could have been with the 2022 Rams team after an injury to their star signal caller. Los Angeles could regret their lack of investment in the backup quarterback position.

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APRIL 19 RAMS OFFICIALLY SIGN WOLFORD The Los Angeles Rams officially signed quarterback John Wolford a contract on Tuesday, cementing him as Matthew Stafford's backup for the coming season. 

Wolford was an exclusive rights free agent for the Rams, meaning he is a player that has accrued two or fewer seasons in the NFL with an expired contract. Should a team choose to extend a qualifying offer to an exclusive rights free agent, which is worth the league minimum, that player is not able to negotiate with other teams.

Upon signing with the Rams and becoming Jared Goff's backup, Wolford immediately became a fan favorite. Wolford did start one game in place of an injured Jared Goff that inspired confidence in the quarterback, against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17 of the 2020 season.

His lone start against the Cardinals saw Wolford complete 22 of 38 passes for 231 yards and an interception while adding 56 rushing yards on six carries as well.

In 2021, Wolford 1 of 4 pass attempts for five yards in three games.

While Wolford may not be an elite quarterback ready to lead a franchise, he is the perfect backup to have for emergency starts should Stafford get hurt, which is why it makes perfect sense for him and the Rams to run it back in 2022. 

APRIL 16 RAMS WAIVE ORR, TENDER HOWARD The Los Angeles Rams made a pair of minor transactions on Saturday, waiving defensive back Kareem Orr, and signing linebacker Travin Howard to a restricted free agent tender. 

A former seventh-round pick by the Rams, Howard played in 12 games with two starts last season for Los Angeles, making 21 tackles and intercepting one pass in the regular season. 

Howard also helped get the Rams to the Super Bowl, intercepting 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo late in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship Game.

Orr had four tackles in two games last season.

APRIL 14 MATT GAY SIGNS RFA TENDER Rams Kicker Matt Gay has reportedly signed his restricted free agent tender, per the team.

Gay has spent the last two seasons in Los Angeles and made 94 percent of his field goal attempts last season. 

APRIL 9 REEDER TO LA, With Chargers The Los Angeles Chargers have agreed to terms with former Rams linebacker Troy Reeder on a 1-Year deal, according to reports. 

Reeder originally signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent out of Delaware and went on to play in all 16 games as a rookie, starting eight and finishing the year with 58 tackles.

In 2020, Reeder once again saw action in 16 games, starting seven, and finished the year with 81 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks

Reeder was a key member of the Rams' Super Bowl run, starting 10 games in 17 appearances, and finishing the year with 91 tackles, six tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, and two sacks.

The 27-year-old also had two interceptions and six pass deflections in 2021, and started three of the Rams' four playoff games.

APRIL 6 RAMS FINALIZE STAFF The Rams announced their finalized coaching staff for the 2022 season on Wednesday afternoon, including new additions and title changes. 

You can view the entire staff below: 

Offensive Coordinator - Liam Coen* 

Defensive Coordinator - Raheem Morris 

Special Teams Coordinator - Joe DeCamillis 

Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends Coach - Thomas Brown+ 

Inside Linebackers Coach - Chris Beake* 

Coaching Fellow Kenneth Black* 

Outside Linebackers Coach - Thad Bogardus+ 

Offensive Line Coach - Kevin Carberry 

Defensive Backs Coach - Jonathan Cooley+ 

Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach - Eric Henderson 

Offensive Assistant - Nick Jones 

Defensive Assistant - Skyler Jones*

 Offensive Assistant - Zak Kromer 

Senior Offensive Assistant - Greg Olson* 

Offensive Assistant - Jake Peetz* 

Pass Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach - Zac Robinson+ 

Running Backs Coach - Ra'Shaad Samples* 

Defensive Assistant - Lance Schulters+ 

Pass Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach + Chris Shula+ 

Special Teams Assistant - Jeremy Springer* 

Wide Receivers Coach - Eric Yarber

* denotes new coach

+ denotes new position

APRIL 5 HEKKER REPLACEMENT FOUND The Los Angeles Rams have finally found their replacement for long-time punter Johnny Hekker, who was cut by the team due to salary cap ramifications in March, in former Giants punter Riley Dixon.

Dixon spent the last four seasons in New York after being drafted by the Broncos in 2016. Dixon spent two years with Denver before and was traded to the Giants in 2018.

APRIL 4 PART OF BOBBY WAGNER CONTRACT DETAILS EMERGE The Los Angeles Rams made yet another splash in free agency last week, when they signed former Seahawks star Bobby Wagner to a five-year, $50 Million deal.

The exact details of that deal have still not been revealed, leading many to speculate on the amount of guaranteed money, as well as incentives and the cap ramifications. 

On Monday, however, one stipulation in that contract was finally uncovered, with reports surfacing that Wagner is set to earn just $6.5 million in 2022 - a major positive for the Rams, who will be strapped for cap space heading forward in the offseason. 

APRIL 1 OFF-SEASON CAMP SCHEDULE RELEASED The Los Angeles Rams enter the off-season looking to defend their first Super Bowl title under Sean McVay. 

And on Friday, the first dates for the offseason camp schedule were revealed.

The first date of camp will begin on April 18, while OTAs will take from May 23-24, on May 26, and from May 31-June 2.

Mandatory Minicamp will run June 7-9. 

There has been no release of training camp dates as of yet. 

MARCH 28 DRAFT ‘24 SET: The NFL has allotted the 2024 NFL Draft to the city of Detroit. The Motor City wins the right over other cities such as Green Bay and Washington, D.C.

On Thursday, it was announced that Kansas City would be the location of the 2023 NFL Draft following its pitch over Green Bay and several other cities. The event is set to take place on April 27-29. 

The 2022 NFL Draft will be held in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 28 and will continue through Saturday, April 30. 

MARCH 24 DRAFT ‘23 SET: The NFL has now locked into the dates for the 2023 Draft, scheduled to take place in Kansas City, announcing it will be held April 27-29.

Kansas City was selected as the host city for the 2023 event three years ago.

“This will be one of the biggest and most-anticipated professional sporting events our city has hosted,” Kathy Nelson, president and CEO of the Kansas City Sports Commission and Visit KC, said in a statement.

This year’s NFL Draft will be held in Las Vegas on April 28-30.

MARCH 20 RAMS RETAIN RETURN SPECIALIST The Los Angeles Rams have had a busy weekend thus far, re-signing quarterback Matthew Stafford and trading wideout Robert Woods on Saturday. 

However, there was another move made by the Rams that flew a bit under the radar as well, with Los Angeles electing to re-sign return specialist Brandon Powell to a one-year deal. 

Powell initially joined the Rams in November when he was signed to the practice squad, but quickly became part of the special teams unit. 

In his short stint with the team, Powell averaged 26.0 yards on eight kick returns and 22.2 yards on six punt returns. He also had a 61-yard touchdown in Week 16. 

Powell was also effective in the postseason, returning nine punts for 104 yards and five kicks for 88 yards. Powell has not caught a pass with the Rams.

MARCH 16 JULIO JONES CUT The greatest receiver in Falcons franchise history, Julio Jones, did not turn out to be that for the Titans, who have just decided to cut the long-time standout.