Los Angeles Rams

Goff in line to be Rams' No. 3 QB after struggling in preseason finale

Published Sep. 1, 2016 9:47 p.m. ET

foxsports

Jared Goff got the start Thursday in the Rams' preseason finale, and even playing against a bunch of backups, he sure didn't look like a No. 1 draft pick.

While Goff wasn't auditioning to be the Week 1 starter, he didn't even do much to make a case for being the backup.

He started strong, going 3 for 4 and hitting Kenny Britt for a first-quarter TD.

That's #1 pick-level arm strength.@JaredGoff16 fires it into @KennyBritt_18's arms.

TD @RamsNFL! #LAvsMIN https://t.co/vDib63b9x4
— NFL (@NFL) September 2, 2016

But then this happened in the final two minutes of the first half:

Whoops.@JaredGoff16 drops the shotgun snap and the @Vikings recover. #LAvsMIN https://t.co/EKvQ6LRBgS
— NFL (@NFL) September 2, 2016

And this, too:

Time for a big man diving interception!

Toby Johnson lays out to pick off the deflected @JaredGoff16 pass. #LAvsMIN https://t.co/tC56B6fNLP
— NFL (@NFL) September 2, 2016

The fumble set up the Vikings' second field, and defensive tackle Toby Johnson's diving interception was followed by Jhurell Pressley taking a short throw for a 28-yard touchdown. Pressley also returned a kickoff 106 yards for a score.

The Vikings were supposed to be the team with the more dire QB situation, but Minnesota made Goff look lost more than once.

Goff finished the half 6 of 16 for 67 yards, and Sean Mannion started the third quarter. Mannion finished 15 of 23 for 135 yards and a TD in a 27-25 loss.

Coach Jeff Fisher said it looks like Mannion will back up Case Keenum right now, but preached patience in Goff.

"It's going to take a little bit more time," Fisher told reporters. "That's not to say he can't be a two or start, but if we were starting now, I'd probably have Sean as the two. Because it's all about being patient with him.

"He's not frustrated or anything. He took some hits. He got hit pretty hard last week, and Sunday was a tough day for him, which you guys didn't see. But he did everything he needed to do."

Goff finished his first preseason 22 of 49 (44.9 percent) for 232 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, three fumbles and a 55.8 passer rating.

"I think I'm on the way to where I want to be," Goff said. "I just need to continue making progress."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.