THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Late Monday afternoon, hours before announcing the decision that would officially send this franchise into a new era, Los Angeles Rams coach Jeff Fisher provided an update on Jared Goff's state of mind.

"He's anxious," Fisher said. "And confident."

Goff is the starter now, supplanting Case Keenum heading into a Week 11 home game against the Miami Dolphins. The Rams traded up 14 spots to draft Goff No. 1 overall this past April, then forced him to wait, watching as rookie quarterbacks took their snaps throughout the league. Over time, the 22-year-old grew increasingly anxious.

Now?

“Anxiety is over," Goff said, smiling after his first practice as the guy under center. "I’m good now. I’m confident and ready to go. Ready to play, ready to get back to playing football. Back to doing what I love -- my job -- and hopefully it's the start of what will be a long career.”

Some of Jared Goff's teammates said that the rookie quarterback has made a noticeable improvement during practices this season. Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

That will all depend on how much growth Goff did in the 11 weeks that have separated him from training camp.

Goff -- coming from an air raid offense at Cal, which didn't necessitate calling plays from the huddle or taking snaps from under center or, most times, making multiple progressions -- looked rattled in the preseason. He went 22-of-49, throwing a couple of interceptions, fumbling three times and generally struggling with a game that appeared to move too quickly.

It was so bad that he didn't even dress for the regular-season opener.

He was a third-stringer, then a backup, an observer throughout.

"I saw a lot of stuff from the sidelines, as much as you can see during the games," Goff said. "I learned from a lot of the things Case did, good and bad. It’s been a long process, I guess, trying to pick up everything and get ready for it. I think I have, and I think I’ve been ready for a little while."

Goff was forced to make most of his progress in the classroom, because backup quarterbacks don't get many reps during the practice week.

But teammates saw progress.

Rookie tight end Tyler Higbee, his roommate during training camp, took a lot of throws from Goff. He noticed him "more comfortable" and "not as flustered" with the speed of his defense. "Not as much thinking" is how Higbee put it. "Just kind of reacting." Veteran guard Rodger Saffold "kept seeing better throws" and "less mistakes." Defensive tackle Michael Brockers noticed that he was "faster in and out of the huddle" and "enunciating his words" while relaying the playbook.

"Right now the biggest thing for him is to just be calm, take it one step at a time," Saffold said of Goff.

"He’s young," Brockers added. "And I think that gives him the greatest ability to just go out there and play free. I think at this point, he’s at the range. Just let it go. Don’t be afraid to do what you do to get drafted. You’re a playmaker. Let’s go see it.”

Goff, born and raised in Northern California, absorbed a 1-11 season as a collegiate freshman but set a Cal record with 3,508 passing yards. As a sophomore and junior, he combined to throw for 8,692 yards in 25 games, with 78 touchdowns and 20 interceptions, then entered the draft. The Rams chose Goff over Carson Wentz, who has since starred for the Philadelphia Eagles, and Fisher was committed to remaining patient.

Even now, nobody is certain -- except about one thing.

"He’s going to have some moments, like all young quarterbacks do," Fisher said. "But he’s going to do well.”

"I expect to do whatever it takes to win," Goff said. "Whatever it takes. If that’s a lot of touchdowns, a lot of yards, if that’s handing the ball off a lot -- whatever it is, I want to win. I want to be the quarterback for this team for a long time.”

Goff alone will not fix this offense, of course. Just as important is that the offensive line finds a way to squeeze more out of Todd Gurley, who ranks 41st among 43 qualified running backs in rushing yards per carry. Goff can't attain sustainable success until that takes place. But Goff's height, arm strength and presumed poise in the pocket could be a major asset if his decision-making is sound.

Goff used the word "excited" 10 times in a five-minute session with the media Tuesday.

His wait is finally over.

“I learned a lot about how the league works, how Sundays work, how the practice week works, how you work in the classroom and everything in between," Goff said. "I’m thankful for that experience and thankful for everything that I’ve gathered over the last however many weeks it’s been. But at the same time, I think it’s time, and I think I’m ready; ready to move forward and play.”