The Professional Football Writers Association named Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff as its Most Improved Player award-winner on Friday, January 19. The PFWA honored Goff with the award one day after his head coach Sean McVay won the NFL Coach of the Year.
Goff entered the season ranked at the bottom of the league’s quarterbacks after finishing 0-7 in his seven starts in 2016. Several experts and fans gave up on the former 2016 No. 1 overall draft pick after they came to believe Goff was yet another Rams’ first round bust.
Goff responded to the doubters by turning in the best season by a Rams quarterback in over a decade. He completed 296 of 477 passes for 3,804 yards, 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions. His performance earned him a spot as a Pro Bowl alternate.
The second-year quarterback turned in his best game of the season against the Houston Texans on November 12. Goff completed 25 of 37 passes for 355 yards and three touchdowns in a 33-7 victory. He followed up that performance in style two weeks later. Goff passed for 354 yards and two touchdowns in the team’s upset 26-20 win over the New Orleans Saints. Goff’s production in both games set him apart as one of the NFL’s best young quarterbacks.
The Rams will face several challenges in the 2018 offseason. However, the Rams are on the right path with several players earning honors for their performance in the 2017 season.
