Rams Bench Nick Foles, Name Case Keenum Starting Quarterback

Rams HC Jeff Fisher announced on Monday that they are benching Nick Foles and moving forward with Case Keenum as their starting quarterback.

• According to Fisher, they are looking for Keenum to be an “offensive spark” for the team.

Fisher had said in recent weeks that he wasn’t considering a chance at quarterback, but Foles has clearly struggled to the point where it can’t hurt to see what Keenum can do with the opportunity.

Foles, 26, came over in a trade from the Eagles that sent Sam Bradford to Philadelphia. He had one year remaining on his rookie contract when the Rams signed him to a two-year, $24 million extension back in August.

Jason Fitzgerald reports that Foles contract includes $6 million guaranteed next year with no offsets if released. Foles has $1.75 million of his base salary guaranteed for injury next year that will become guaranteed.

With this in mind, Fitzgerald mentions that the only way for the Rams to avoid paying him this money would be to either trade him or waive him with the hope someone claims him off of waivers.

This season, Foles has completed just 56.6 percent of his passes, throwing only seven touchdowns to go with six interceptions. Last week during the Rams’ 37-13 loss to the Bears, Foles was 17 of 36 for 200 yards and an interception.

Keenum has 10 career starts in the NFL, all coming with the Texans. He started eight games in 2013, throwing nine touchdowns and six interceptions with a 54.2 percent completion rating. Last season, he started two games, throwing a pair of touchdowns and interceptions.