Perkins' Preseason Efforts Show Undeniable Promise

The Los Angeles Rams hold a 0-2 record in the 2021 preseason, as they prepare for their finale of the shortened 3 game preseason. This upcoming matchup against the Denver Broncos is to be played at Empower Field at Mile High, and though the Rams are without a win, brightness has shone through in bursts from both sides of the ball. The biggest star thus far has easily been the quarterback out of the University of Virginia, Bryce Perkins. 

With two games against his AFC West competition under his belt, Perkins has proven to be a field general. Taking outstanding command of the second team offense with a completion percentage of 66.7 off of 39 attempts, 208 pass yards and 2 touchdowns, U of V Alum came off of the matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders with many impressed. While those are not outlandish stats for a preseason game, Perkins' film does show his capability of handling a starting position in the NFL. His elusiveness inside and outside of the pocket alongside his ability to make off-script throws presents his comfortability in taking charge of an offense. He has boasted a nasty stiff arm for a quarterback's standards and also has  shown his leaping ability with a hurdle over a Chargers defender in the first preseason game. His pre-snap reads of the defense deem him competent under center, especially with the aid of Offensive Coordinator Kevin O'Connell. 

The chemistry is evident between Perkins and his fellow second team passing targets, and cannot be understated. The two touchdowns the QB threw in the Saturday matchup against the Raiders landed in the hands of tight ends Kendall Blanton and Jacob Harris- the 141st overall draft pick out of Central Florida. Harris is a borderline hybrid pass catcher as he can line up outside like a receiver, yet play off the line and use his size to play tight end. His lone touchdown and lone reception came from a nicely placed throw to the back corner of the end zone by Perkins. This reception was the cherry on top of a nice, long executed drive by the Rams offense to force the 6 points and go for the two point conversion that could lead to a victory. During that two point try, Perkins would attempt to find Harris again on a goal line fade that unfortunately would not work out as well as the prior connection between the two young players. 

The Rams 16-17 loss was not desired, but allowed for some plays to be made by a young quarterback to prove himself, as final cuts before the 53 man roster are solidified. This week, the Rams cut former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Devlin "Duck" Hodges after an underwhelming preseason week one could not compare to Perkins' play. Perkins looks to maintain his flow in the finale against the Denver Broncos, with the chance at a starting position surely in the forefront of his mind. It seems certain that the Rams and Head Coach Sean McVay will look to keep Perkins at least as a practice squad mainstay. The team does not plan to roster more than the two quarterbacks they already have solidified with newcomer Matthew Stafford and last year's QB2 John Wolford. This preseason can act as an audition tape for Perkins as teams assemble their final depth charts and seek well-rounded, solid and serviceable backup quarterbacks. The implications of a possible career boost for Bryce Perkins makes this matchup in Denver all the more intriguing, and as a spectator, it is hard not to root for a guy that has put his best play out on the field, all for the once in a lifetime chance to be part of an NFL roster.